Kermanshah Rugs
Kermanshah (Kirmanshah, Kermanshan) is a
province in western Iran. It is also the name
of its principal city and capital of the
province. As the gate between Persia and
Mesopotamia, Kermanshah has a rich
continuous history. Darius’ Inscription is
here as well as Khosrau’s relief. The
Sassanian kings have constructed the current
city and Bahram IV (he was called
Kermanshah, meaning king of Kerman) gave
his title to the city. Kerman (Karmania) is
another Iranian province, in which Bahram
ruled as the crown prince and renowned so.
A majority of Kermanshah’s population
speaks Southern Kurdish, and the city is the
largest Kurdish city in Iran. Moreover,
Kermanshahi people have also a Persian
dialect of their own. Major Kurd tribes of the
province are Sanjabi, Guran, Kalhor, Bajalan
and Zanganeh.
The city of Kermanshah is a source for
village woven rugs and carpets. Senjabi and
Kolayi are the names of two Kurdish tribes in
the area. Their names may be used in the
carpet trade to describe a range of tribal or
village types of the Kermanshah area.
The Coronation of Ardashir II. Ardashir II appears in
the middle, receiving the diadem from Shapur II on
the right, with Mithra standing to the left. The fallen
enemy is most likely the Roman emperor Julian
Anahita on the left as the patron yazata of the
Sassanian dynasty behind Emperor Khosrau Parviz
with Ahura Mazda presenting the diadem of
sovereignty on the right. Taq-e Bostan
Hellenistic-era depiction of Bahram as Hercules
carved in 153 BC
Technical aspects and the structure of Kermanshah Rugs
Kermanshah’s wool and cotton are of high
quality. Pieces are woolen-piled mostly on
cotton foundations. Knots are generally
symmetrical/Turkish but there are also pieces
with asymmetrical/Persian knots.
Knot density is about 130 per square inch.
Both rug and carpet sizes could be found.
These tribal or village pieces may be called
Sanjabi (Senjabi) or Kolayi which are Kurd
tribes of the Kermanshah province.
Dyeing and painting of Kermanshah Rugs
Red, brown and camel dominate
Kermanshah’s palette. The latter is undyed
camel hair. The brown, too, could be undyed
sheep wool. Camel hair of the region id
famous to be lustrous. This is also said about
the cotton cultivated in Kermanshah.
Pieces with dark blue fields could also be
found in Kermanshah. The secondary palette
may include dark blue, green, madder pink,
mustard, yellow, light brown, cream etc.
Designs and patterns of Kermanshah Rugs
Geometric Kurdish patterns are common here
as well as central medallion designs. The
latter have also a geometric accent with their
semi-rectilinear patterns.
It is true about the Herati (Fish) type of
design which is also common here. Tribal
designs include hooked medallions and
diamonds.
