Hamedan Rugs

Hamedan is one of the most important Iranian cities, lying at an altitude of 6,500 feet, and an important centre of the rug industry. Since rugs are woven in the whole of the surrounding region, it is not surprising that in the city itself a great number of accessory industries are established. The wool is often spun in the city, and is then sent into the country, where weaving rugs are carried on as in Hamedan itself. Hamedan rugs are also a centre for the dyeing of yarn. Though rugs have been produced there for centuries, not all those described as Hamedan rugs come from the city itself, but from the surrounding districts. The older Hamedan rugs were colored exclusively with natural dyes, but in the city itself, since the 1880's, the industry of weaving rugs has gradually adopted the use of Aniline colors. It is principally the red which is an Aniline color, vegetable dyes being applied for the other colors. Formerly madder was used for all tones of red, and also a dye which is very seldom met with elsewhere in Iran (its use is known only in certain of the older Shiraz rugs, or saddle bags), namely, Laki or Shellac.

Hamedan is one of the most important Iranian cities, lying at an altitude of 6,500 feet, and an important centre of the rug industry. Since rugs are woven in the whole of the surrounding region, it is not surprising that in the city itself a great number of accessory industries are established. The wool is often spun in the city, and is then sent into the country, where weaving rugs are carried on as in Hamedan itself. Hamedan rugs are also a centre for the dyeing of yarn. Though rugs have been produced there for centuries, not all those described as Hamedan rugs come from the city itself, but from the surrounding districts. The older Hamedan rugs were colored exclusively with natural dyes, but in the city itself, since the 1880's, the industry of weaving rugs has gradually adopted the use of Aniline colors. It is principally the red which is an Aniline color, vegetable dyes being applied for the other colors. Formerly madder was used for all tones of red, and also a dye which is very seldom met with elsewhere in Iran (its use is known only in certain of the older Shiraz rugs, or saddle bags), namely, Laki or Shellac.