Origin: Iran Kirman (also Kerman) Knot density: approx. 360.000 knots/sqm (42 radj) Condition New Pattern: floral with medallion Material: pile 100% virgin wool - warp 100% cotton Kerman rugs hold a special place in the hearts of Persian rug collectors because of their intricate knotting, delicate designs and unparalleled color palette. Kerman rugs are produced in the city of Kerman and some of its neighboring villages in the south-east of the Iran produced. The weavers in this region are extremely talented and skilled, producing rugs that are woven in a variety of intricate designs. In southern Iran, in an oasis in the exotically named Dast-e-Lut desert, lies a city called Kerman with a population of about a quarter of a million. Founded in the 4th century, the city was an important destination when trade between India and Iran was thriving centuries ago. Today it has earned a place of honor in the carpet industry, having been producing a particularly rare and stunningly beautiful work of art, the Kerman carpets, since at least the 15th century. In the majority of carpets, the curvilinear pattern predominates, closely followed by another popular pattern - the famous Kerman pictorials, grouped in a separate 'pictorial' category. Kerman rugs are known for their distinctive patterns and ornate imagery derived from both Persian and European motifs. The traditional Kerman patterns range from Shah Abbasi medallion and corner patterns, garden, vase, tree of life, hunting and animal patterns to all-over boteh, all-over floral patterns and stripes. The most well-known Kerman carpet design is the vase or boteh design, which consists of an all-over pattern of vases or boteh spread throughout the carpet against a background of floral motifs and palmettes. This busy, attractive pattern is very popular with both homeowners and rug collectors. Two other styles of Kerman carpets that showcase the superb craftsmanship of these master weavers are a series of exquisite all-over curvilinear patterns and the intricate central Kerman medallion and corners with ornate edges. The more modern designs consist of either Aubussons or Koranic medallions and corners with a plain, open field. The open field is a key differentiator of modern KermanPersian carpets, which were mainly developed for the western market. Colors of Kerman carpets The Kerman weavers' love of color is evident in the rich use of color in their creations. About 15 to 30 colors are used for each rug, with bright, bold tones such as magenta, Blue and golden saffron are preferred. The most commonly used colors in antique carpets are red-blue and rich, deep red, but also orange and turquoise. In stark contrast, modern carpet weavers tend to use pastel colors such as champagne, lime green, grey-blue, pink and beige. Regardless of whether they are bold colors or pastels, the outstanding feature of all these rugs is the even distribution of color achieved through the unique process of dyeing the wool. Construction of Kerman carpets Kerman weavers have earned a well-deserved reputation as skilled craftsmen, producing high quality, fine textiles of excellent construction and workmanship. The carpets are woven from the highest quality Carmania wool. Averaging about 8 feet by 10 feet, these rugs are larger than most other Persian rugs, although some weavers preferred to weave smaller rugs. The carpets are knotted with the asymmetrical Persian knot on a dense cotton ground. Some weavers employed an unusual construction technique that resulted in a wavy finish that added another dimension to these rugs. The average number of knots per square inch ranges from a minimum of 120 to as high as 800, denser than the average carpet. Antique Kerman carpets are characterized by their fine weave, their filigree patterns and an incomparable range of colours. Many Kerman rug owners use their prized pieces as wall decorations to protect them from shoe damage. Popularity of Kerman carpets There are several reasons for the popularity of Kerman rugs. On the one hand, the high-quality wool of the region, the so-called Carmania wool, is used for the production of these masterpieces, which is widely considered to be very tear-resistant and shiny. In addition, these carpets hold a special place in the hearts of collectors because they feature a wide range of designs, ranging from a central medallion depicting animals, garden panels, vases, the tree of life, hunting scenes and elaborate portraits. They are also characterized by a wide range, the use of natural dyes and fibers that significantly increase the life of the carpets due to their greater tensile strength and better resistance to abrasion, as well as skillful color combinations. Add to this the exquisite craftsmanship and weaving style prevalent in this area and you have a rug coveted around the world. Facts about traditional Kerman carpets and new Kerman carpets The Kerman rug has changed a lot over the decades to better suit the tastes of its aficionados. "Errors and errors excepted"