Persian Rug Shiraz 187 x 105 cm Wool Hand-knotted

Shiraz Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Shiraz Persian rug is hand-knotted and made from 100% wool. In hand-knotting, individual knots are tied into a prepared foundation one row at a time. The pile is therefore created through a sequence of manual operations rather than printed or mechanically reproduced on a finished surface. Each part of the design is connected with the structure of the rug because the knots themselves form the coloured and tactile areas.

Wool has been used for generations in Oriental rug making. It can be spun into yarn, dyed and worked into a durable pile with a distinct texture. Its natural fibre structure gives the surface a firm hand and helps colours appear clearly within the design. After knotting, the pile is trimmed, and the rug may be washed and finished so that its surface becomes more settled. This rug is described as washed and has an old semi-antique character.

The high knot density describes the close hand-knotted construction without giving a numerical knot count. A compact knotting structure allows lines and smaller forms to be worked with definition. The wool forms the pile, while the knots also create the foundation of the pattern. In a hand-knotted rug, material, technique and design are therefore directly connected.

Traditional wool-rug making includes several stages beyond tying the knots. Yarn must be prepared, knots must be placed according to the intended drawing, and the pile must be trimmed to an even surface. Washing is another established finishing process. These steps influence the way light, colour and texture are seen. This rug combines 100% wool with hand-knotted construction and high knot density.

Origin and Tradition

The rug comes from Shiraz in Persia and is identified as a Shiraz Ghashghai rug. Shiraz lies in southern Persia and has long been an important regional reference for rugs and other textiles. Urban trading routes, village workshops and nomadic or semi-nomadic weaving traditions have met in the wider area. For that reason, Shiraz rugs cannot be reduced to one single, unchanging design.

Ghashghai weaving is associated with mobile and semi-nomadic communities in southern Persia. Rugs and flat-woven textiles served practical purposes in everyday life, while their colours and motifs preserved inherited visual conventions. Knotting skills were passed down within families and communities. Designs could be developed from a familiar vocabulary of shapes, rhythms and colour relationships rather than copied from an identical industrial model.

Shiraz became an important regional point for the production, collection and trade of these textiles. Rugs from the surrounding area may differ in colour balance, pile, scale and arrangement. Such variation is part of the region’s textile history. The name Shiraz provides the geographical setting, while Ghashghai adds a connection to a particular southern Persian tradition of weaving and knotting.

Persian rugs are often named after a city, district or regional craft tradition. These names bring together place, knowledge of materials, ways of knotting and established design principles. Shiraz is one of the recognised Persian rug regions. Its textile heritage has been shaped by access to wool, inherited dyeing practices and the use of rugs in everyday domestic life.

In nomadic and semi-nomadic textile traditions, craft was closely linked to daily routines. Wool could be spun into yarn and used for practical objects as well as floor coverings. Portable looms and established motifs made it possible to produce useful textiles with a distinct visual identity. Although production and use have changed over time, the connection between function, regional knowledge and handwork remains an important part of the tradition.

This piece was made during the period from 1970 to 1979. It therefore belongs to a relatively recent phase of Persian rug production while remaining rooted in a much older hand-knotting tradition. A rug from this period may combine inherited geometric principles with the materials and working conditions of its own era. The Shiraz origin, Ghashghai designation and hand-knotted technique together define the cultural setting of this one-off rug.

Design and Pattern

The pattern of this rug is geometric. Geometric rug designs use organised shapes such as lines, angles, diamonds, polygons, stepped contours and repeated fields. Their effect comes from proportion, rhythm, symmetry and the relationship between filled areas and open ground. Rather than presenting a pictorial scene, the design creates order through the arrangement of abstract forms.

Geometric organisation has an important place in weaving traditions associated with southern Persia and Ghashghai textiles. A motif may be mirrored, simplified, nested inside another form or repeated along a border. The weaver works with a recognised vocabulary but can alter scale, spacing and connections within the individual composition. Related rugs can therefore share a regional language without being identical. Minor variations are also compatible with hand production, where the design develops knot by knot.

The rich gold colouring gives this rug its principal chromatic character. Gold may appear as a broad field, an outline, a border colour or an accent within separate geometric sections. Colour and drawing work together: the geometric lines divide the surface, while the gold tone gives the different areas visual continuity. The result is a traditional and elegant appearance based on clear structure rather than a floral or pictorial scene.

Persian geometric rugs often use a relationship between a dominant field and supporting details. A central arrangement may be framed by borders, repeated motifs may establish a rhythm, and contrasting outlines may make individual forms easier to read. The exact composition of this rug belongs to the individual hand-knotted piece. Calling it geometric describes the principle of its design, not a claim that it reproduces one standard pattern.

Geometric motifs can be built from small units during knotting. A single knot contributes only a small part of the drawing, but the sequence of many knots creates lines, angles and enclosed shapes. The design is therefore not applied to the textile after it has been made; it is created together with the textile’s construction. Small changes in alignment can occur in hand-made rugs and are part of their manual origin.

The description traditional and elegant reflects the combination of inherited Persian design language, ordered geometric structure and rich gold colouring. This is not a plain rug without a pattern, but a hand-knotted work with a regional context and a clearly organised surface. Its particular distribution of colour and form makes it an individual piece from the production period of the 1970s.

Special Features

The rug is described as being in top condition, washed and old semi-antique. It is hand-knotted from 100% wool and has a high knot density. Its rich gold colouring and geometric pattern define its visible appearance. The manufacturing period is given as 1970 to 1979, placing the piece within that decade of Persian rug production.

This rug is suitable for use with underfloor heating. It is also described as environmentally friendly and pet-friendly. These practical qualities accompany its traditional craft identity. As a one-off piece, it brings together the Shiraz Ghashghai designation, wool material, geometric drawing and gold colouring.

FAQ

What defines a Shiraz Ghashghai Persian rug?

A Shiraz Ghashghai Persian rug is connected with Shiraz in southern Persia and with the Ghashghai weaving tradition associated with that region. The designation does not mean that every rug has one compulsory pattern. It establishes a regional and cultural context in which hand-made textiles, inherited forms and geometric organisation have an important place. This particular rug is hand-knotted, made from 100% wool, has a high knot density, and uses a geometric design with rich gold colouring.

How should I care for a hand-knotted wool rug?

Regular gentle vacuuming can remove loose dust and everyday debris from a hand-knotted wool rug. The pile should not be treated with unnecessary force or aggressive cleaning agents. For heavier soiling or a thorough refresh, professional cleaning is advisable because the process can be adapted to wool, dyes and the hand-knotted structure. Prolonged direct sunlight should be avoided where possible so that the colours remain as even as possible. Consistent, careful maintenance supports both the textile surface and its appearance.

Can this rug be used with underfloor heating?

Yes. This rug is described as suitable for underfloor heating, so it can be used in a room with that type of heating system. The floor should be clean, level and dry. A suitable rug pad can help keep the rug stable and reduce movement. Compatibility with underfloor heating does not remove the need for ordinary, gentle care of the wool pile. Even heating and regular observation of the rug and floor are sensible practices for continued use.