Ahar Rugs
Ahar (Ahjar) is a county and town in Eastern
Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Situated between
the Aras River on the north and the counties
of Tabriz on the south, Sarab, Meshgin and
Moghan on the east and Marand on the west,
Ahar is one of the ten counties of eastern
Azerbaijan.
Aqdash was the resting place of muleteers who
carried charcoal to Ahar
Mount Sabalan is in the proximity of Ahar
Sheikh-shahab tomb, Ahar, Iran
Balan Rug; An example of carpets which used to be
sold in Ahar’s bazar
The small town of Ahar, the center of the
county, is located 95 km northeast of Tabriz.
In the surrounding mountains are numerous
examples of pre-Islamic remains, particularly
from the Sasanian period.
Ahar was the capital of Karadag Khanate in
18th and 19th centuries. The region has a long
and continuous tradition in rug weaving.
Technical aspects and the structure of Ahar Rugs
Ahar rugs are chiefly single-wefted. These
are knotted with a density of about 65 knots
per square inch. This may be considered a
fine and dense weave in comparison to
neighboring areas. Knots are symmetric
(Turkish) here. Warps and wefts are cotton
and pile is woolen. Single-wefted rugs of
neighboring Heriz may be termed ‘Ahar’.
Area rugs are common as well as runners.
Carpet sizes could also be found. A majority
of Ahar pieces were made in the standard
dimensions of twelve feet by nine feet.
Dyeing and painting of Ahar Rugs
Dyeing and painting of Ahar Rugs
Hand-Knotted Ahar Rug
Red, navy blue, beige and ivory are dominant
in Ahar rugs. Azerbaijan’s madder brings
several shades of red (from brick to rosy and
pink) on the Ahar’s palette. Medallion rugs
with brick or red ground have large ivory
corners. The wefts may be blue in Ahar. Thesecondary palette may include blue, orange,
green, yellow, camel and khaki.
Hand-Knotted Ahar Rug
Hand-Knotted Ahar Rug
Designs and patterns of the Ahar Rugs
Despite their semi-nomadic nature, lots of
Ahar rugs have curvilinear designs. Some
tend to designate Heriz rugs with curvilinear
designs ‘Ahar’. Central medallion designs
are common. The medallions and corners are
rather large. Bold geometric designs, too,
could be found in Ahar mostly amongst
antique pieces.
