South Khorasan carpets: Persian handicraft

Iran’s eastern South Khorasan Province is known for its exquisite rugs and carpets woven in various villages of this province.

The art of carpet waving in South Khorasan dates back to the Timurid era when the Timurid dynasty also governed the city of Herat.

Herat was quite famed for its floral carpets. The designs and motifs of Herat carpets, though, gradually changed and turned into how they are now.

Villages of Dorakhsh, Gask, Nowzad, Sarbisheh, Behelgard, Nowghab, Dastgerd, and most of the villages of Ghaenat region and also the city of Birjand are some of the famous centers of South Khorasan carpets.

These carpets, with their two-hundred-years history, are used to decorate Astan Quds Razavi institute, many museums, and carpets museums across Iran.

One of the motifs that is distinctive to the carpets of South Khorasan is the motif of the sun that represents itself in different forms.

Another most common motifs of South Khorasan carpets also include Rizeh Mahi (small fishes), Paisley, Kaleh Asbi (horse head) and Kheshti (four seasons).

Iran’s hand-woven carpets have worldwide fame for their delicate designs and good quality.

The most characteristic feature of all types of Persian rugs is believed to be a medallion pattern where it may represent an open lotus blossom with several petals.

More Persian handicrafts:

Papier-mache and lacquer work

Kapu weaving of Khuzestan