276x168cm Persian Nain Blue rug

276 X 168 Persian Nain

Size: 276 X 168 cm

Persian Nain

Nain is a town of about 50'000 inhabitants, in the province of Isfahan. It has historical importance as being the last town on the caravan routes before the Kavir-e-Lut, one of the deserts running down the center of Iran. The mosque of Nain is one of the oldest in Iran, much more solidly built than the later and more famous mosques of Isfahan: a heavy vault is supported on massive round columns.

The traditional industry of Nain was the manufacture of woollen cloth: when demand for this declined, the weavers, like those of Kerman, switched to the manufacture of carpets. And their products soon became famous, for the weavers were skilful and used excellent materials.

The warps and wefts are cotton, with a pile of wool with outlines of silk; occasionally silk is used more extensively in the ground. The colouring is refined: tones of ivory and cream, with small areas of red, green and blue. Like the carpets of Isfahan, The Designs of Nain carpets use classical motifs, but in the hands of a master weaver like Habibian they are often skilfully reinterpreted. Nain carpets are made in all sizes, including some extremely large piece of up to 425 sqm: some of these have a pile of 100% silk.

This one is woven with very good quality wool and silk on cotton background; the amount of silk will vary depending on quality of Nain and is very hard wearing as well as being decorative and beautiful. These rugs are known as the best in the industry for rug weaving.  The design is very interesting and can come in two common styles, central medallion or full-field.