HISTORY OF Rug

Almost a hundred and fifty years ago carpet weaving started in the few limited workshops of Tehran.
The creative and interesting design of Tehran carpets with their harmonious, pleasant and attractive colours usually are not familiar to everyone, yet one can easily distinguish the origin of the exquisite handicraft. In effect, the skilful artist in Iran preferred to establish and create their masterpieces in Tehran.
One of the main reasons for the importance of the art and industry of carpet weaving in Tehran is the presence of numerous workshops and factories for washing, spinning and dyeing the first rate quality and standardised wool in the city and its outskirts.
Moreover, the establishment of the National Carpet Company and its endeavour to achieve and improve the quality of carpets in Iran, the Carpet Museum, and finally the big bazaar where the most profitable carpet transactions take place influences to a great deal the importance of Tehran as being the centre of the art and industry of carpet weaving in Iran.
Presenting the collections of samples of different hand-woven carpets of different areas, research of the background, evolution and improvisation of the art of carpet weaving, and the temporary exhibitions of hand-woven carpets and kilims of Iran, are the aims of this museum. This museum, in addition to introducing and diffusing this art, is trying, by opening classes to teach the weaving, repairing and darning of hand-made carpets, to fulfill its cultural and education role.
If we add to this list of distinctive efforts of the Academy of Fine Arts and its competent and talented artisans, we realise to some extent the reasons behind the renowned name of Tehran carpet.
Due to immigration and the settling in Tehran of numerous weavers from various provinces of Iran, many different kinds of designs can be seen among Tehran carpets. Most of the Tehran carpets have a light background.
Some are copied from ancient drawings and some are new and modern creations with medallion and corner, trees and animals, geometrical and multiple armlet designs. Portrait weaving is also one of the specialities of the skilled artist.
One of the most famous of these artist was Rassarn Arab Zadeh, (death February 1998) in whose workshop, until recently, many of the beautiful and precious carpets of Iran have been produced.
The wool used for weaving is of the best quality and to better enhance the design the pile is cut very short.
Tehran is one of the few places where the carpets are woven both with Persian and Turkish knots
Some carpets are also woven in the surrounding villages of Tehran, such as varamin, Taleqhan and Garmsar