Kharaqan Rugs
Kharaghan (also Romanized as Kharaqan and
Gharaghan) is a rural district in north central
Iran. The district located on a spot where
three Iranian Provinces of Hamadan, Markazi
and Qazvin have borders. Kharaqan woven
pieces may be categorized under either of
them.
The Kharaqan Towers
Towers of Kharaqan are a pair of mausolea
built between 1067 and 1093. They are
notable for being an early example of
geometric ornament, an early example of
double domes, and one of the earlier tomb towers that appeared in Seljuq Iran during the
11th century.
The area have been frequented by various
nomads, semi-nomads and villagers of
various origins, such as Armenians,
Shahsavan Turks, Kurds, Tats and Persian-
speakers.
The natural and cultural diversity of
Kharaqan shows itself in the design
repertoire attributed to this group of villages
despite the similarity of weave and raw
material.
Technical aspects and the structure of Kharaqan Rugs
Kharaqan rugs follow Hamadan rural
structure. There are single-wefted, and
woven with woolen pile on cotton
foundation. The yarn used is rather thick.
Knots are mostly symmetric (Turkish).
Almost all carpet and rug sizes are found.
Runners are also popular.
Dyeing and painting of Kharaqan Rugs
Dark blue is dominant in lots of Kharaqan
pieces, however red-dominated pieces are not
rare. The red used is a rather dark madder.
Typically Kharaqan palette tend to darker
tones, including secondary colors. A bright
undyed camel hair serve as gold in the area.
Ivory, too, is used. Such tones used
minimally in Kharaqan designs.
Designs and patterns of the Kharaqan Rugs
Generally Kharaqan designs show elements
of Kurdish designs as well as Caucasian
influences. If one finds a piece with a Kurdish
design and a Hamadan weave, it should be a
Kharaqan.
Both medallion and all-over structures are
used in Kharaqan both with rectilinear
patterns and motifs. Designs with Large
medallions and spandrels are common.
Shahsavans, too, influenced Kharaqan
designs. Stylized birds and animals and
rectilinear floral motifs used as filling motifs
in Shahsavan rugs.
