The Gabbeh is a very simple hand-woven tribal rug made by nomadic people in southern Iran and India. It's distinctive naive style is especially suited to modern and eclectic interiors. The early weaver was given only the cotton for the base, along with dyed woolen yarn. He had no pattern, but looked at his surroundings and reproduced what he saw. Therefore each carpet is unique. This spontaneous style recently achieved much wider acceptance, and became very popular at home and abroad. Generally on a thick, heavy pile it combines large uncluttered fields with the occasional geometric human or animal silhouette. Sometimes there are over-all abstract patterns or bold stripes. Due to great demand for the Indo-Gabbeh, patterns were eventually made of the more popular designs. Once production was organized, specific colors, sizes and designs could be ordered. However, due to the variety in texture and quality of natural woolen yarn, with occasional gray fibers occurring, 'abrash' * ensures that no two rugs are identical.
History & Construction of Gabbeh Rugs
From the great southern province of Fars, through parts of the province of Kerman, nomadic tribes have a long history of rug weaving. Afshar, Qashqa'i, Gabbeh and others tribal rugs are produced in the southern part of this vast area. The Afshar tribes are mostly in the province of Kerman, while the renowned Qashqai tribes are spread across both provinces and other parts of southern Iran. Some major rug-weaving centers include the historic city of Shiraz, in Fars; the famous city of Kerman; and the towns of Abadeh, Sirjan, and many other
villages and nomadic groupings. Strong Turkish and Kurdish weaving influences and techniques are visible, especially in the use of the symmetrical Turkish knot, woven up to a density of 100 knots per sq. in. The foundation is strong, durable cotton, or in more naive cases, wool or goat hair. The pile is of very lustrous, fine wool that has been shorn
from local herds, and colored mainly with natural vegetable and root dyes. These simple, gentle weavers are naturally fond of bright, lively colors for their primitive homes. They produce naive rugs that are unique treasures and may take many months to complete.
