Rug | |
Type | Antique |
Size | 4' X 17'4" |
Design | Bidjar |
Origin | Persian |
Color | Multi |
Pattern | Geometric |
Age | 1920's |
Material | Wool |
Condition | Good |
BIJAR RUG
Bijar is a city and capital of Bijar
County, Kurdistan Province. At the 2011 census, its population was 47,926, in
14,970 families. Ethnically the population is predominantly Kurdish-speaking
Shia Kurds.
The term bijar could be a variation
of bajar (i.e. city in Kurdish) and the complete name of the city Bijar-e
Garrus (city of Garrus, the old name for the province). Among other suggested
etymologies for bijar is bid-zar (land of willow tree), which is linguistically
unlikely.
Bijar is known internationally for
its elegant and ancient carpet and rug designs.
Bijar has enjoyed fame for its
carpets since the Achaemenid era (550–330 BCE). Present day carpets and rugs
have 100–200 Turkish knots per inch and are distinguished by their stiff and
heavy wool foundation, created by "wet weaving" and beating the
threads together with a special metal tool. Bijar carpets are famously stronger
and longer-lasting than any others. They are made by Kurdish women in the
villages around the town. The loom is set vertically against the side of the
house. The designs have strong clear colors and have never been out of fashion
with overseas buyers. Nowadays dyes are high quality synthetics.
The motifs are mainly floral
adaptations of classical Persian designs. Herati and boteh motifs are common,
as are central medallions and sometimes representations of animals and willows.
These are set against a dark background of blue, red or green. In relation to
the size of the carpet, borders are small, with up to eight bands