c1950s ANTIQUE GEOMETRIC PERSIAN KELARDASHT RUNNER 3.10x9.5
KELARDASHT is located in a northern province of Iran known as Zanjan which means"dear wife". It is surrounded by the Alborz mountains. The most famous park is Alam-Kooh that has the largest natural glacier in Iran. There are three important towns in this region • Roudbarak • Hassankif • Makarud The northern part of Iran, including the provinces of Gillan and Mazandaran, is rich in history. There are some traces of Turkish and Kurdish influences seen in these nomadic and/or semi-nomadic people, but they are mostly of Persian origin. Turkish and Mogul tribes who are descendants of the Mongolians (led by Kengis Khan) who invaded the country in the 13th century have been living in this region for many centuries. The province of Gillian has a higher Persian nomadic population. These peaceful people are documented to have been weaving rugs for over 3000 years. When it pertains to rug weaving the women are the primary artists who pass it down to their daughters, however, on rare occasion rug weaving can be an affair for the entire family. Not only are the rugs a source of warmth but also a source of income as they are used for trading. They make their own looms, which are placed horizontally on the ground and are easily dismantled for transport. All have geometric patterns that include two or more hexagonal, square, or octagonal medallions. The most commonly used design is a hexagon surrounded with primitive lines and primitive borders all in which may be displayed with a scarab in the mid region of the field. The quality of Kelardasht rugs varies. The older ones (before 1960) are very good. From 1965 to 1980, the quality faded due to the massive interest of western collectors that forced the weavers to modify their patterns and colors. After the revolution (1979), the quality gradually rose to its original level as the weavers returned to traditional designs and colors. The people of the northern regions of Iran have a long history of weaving durable rugs. Most pieces from Kelardasht are from smaller to mid-size dimensions (1x2 to 8x10 feet).The coloring is mainly done with the use of natural vegetable dyes. Dark reds, dark blues, and browns are the predominant colors. The warp is made mostly of cotton or even goat hair; the weft is made of cotton or wool. Kelardasht rugs and carpets usually have a thick, soft pile. Weavers in Kelardasht sometimes use Turkish knots but more frequently they use asymmetrical, Persian knots. In conclusion, rugs from Kelardasht are very warm and are smooth to the touch. A durable floor piece, the rugs of northern Iran
last a very long time. An authentic Kelardasht Persian rug is an ideal way to add something exotic to a room that could use some flavor.
