Persian rug, A journey to the colors and cultures
Persian carpet weaving is a historical part of Iranian culture, dating back as far as approximately 2,000 years ago. A Persian carpet or Persian rug also known as Iranian carpet, is a heavy textile made for a wide variety of utilitarian and symbolic purposes and produced in Iran (historically known as Persia), for home use, local sale, and export. Carpet weaving is an essential part of Persian culture and Iranian art. Within the group of Oriental rugs produced by the countries of the "rug belt", the Persian carpet stands out by the variety and elaborateness of its manifold designs. Persian carpets and rugs of various types were woven in parallel by nomadic tribes, in village and town workshops, and by royal court manufactories alike. As such, they represent miscellaneous, simultaneous lines of tradition, and reflect the history of Iran and its various peoples. The carpets woven in the Safavid court manufactories of Isfahan during the sixteenth century are famous for their elaborate colors and artistic design and are treasured in museums and private collections all over the world today. Persian carpets can be mostly divided into three size groups: large (3x4 meters), medium (2x3 meters), and small (1x1.5 meters), which is called Galicia. This photo story narrates the story of the Persian rug production process and shows the Iranian culture and the effect of the Iranian handwoven rug on the Iranian lifestyle.