Shiraz rug

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A Shiraz carpet is a type of Persian rug made in the villages around the city of Shiraz. The designs tend to come from settled tribal weavers so they mimic Qashqai, Khamseh, Afshar, Abadeh and Luri designs. Since the weavers are using fixed looms the rugs tend to be larger and often coarser then their tribal counterparts. Shiraz rugs are not often very finely knotted, with both Qashqai and Abadeh both have a finer knot. Shiraz utilise the Persian (asymmetrical) knot.

Shiraz is a city in the south west region of Iran, sited practically upon the old Persian Persepolis. Shiraz rugs are not usually made in a large factory, with the majority of them being woven by home weavers and taken into the main bazaar to be sold on, most often, to traders who will group a sizeable range of these rugs and sell them to smaller traders or export them.

[edit] Appearance

The design is geometric, sometimes featuring a pole medallion in the centre. Shiraz carpets use red and brown colors and often use diamond-shaped lozanges as the primary motif.

Borders often have smaller bands around a larger band with palm and pine leaf designs.

Some pieces feature Cyrus' white horse.