What is a Kerman Rug?

Carpets and rugs add that cozy touch that every room needs. The elaborate and delicate designs are a wonder to look at and enjoy. Each Oriental or Persian rug provide unmatched durability and comfort to their owners. A primary example that completely embodies these traits is the Kerman rugs, one of the high-quality rugs Persia has to offer.

History behind the Kerman Rugs

Kerman, located in the desert of South Persia, has been a major center for trading and weaving. Kerman carpets were one of the first Persian rugs that made it to the Western markets. The rugs were most keenly distributed and sold throughout Europe soon after they surfaced.

In the 16th century during the Safavid Dynasty, Kerman rugs first surfaced and were welcomed open arms by the wealthiest citizens of Persia. Around the 19th century, the village of Kerman was destroyed amidst civil strife. Most of Kerman's weavers escaped to the village of Laver in the north of the region where they resumed the creation of their rugs. Because of this mass migration, the Persian Kerman rugs are sometimes referred to as the Laver Kerman or Laver rugs and carpets.

Weaving technique

The Kerman rugs were weaved by a group of master craftsmen highly reputed for their excellent weaving skills. Through their incredible abilities, the Kerman rug gained a thoroughly sturdy and constructive finishing.

The Kerman rug's craftsmen had a special weaving technique. For each knot there were three turns-- the first and last had far more tension than the one in the middle. In the process, that sturdy and well constructed finish was given life. The knots can be considered asymmetrical tight Persian knots. The knots produced in these rugs were on average 120 – 800 knots per square inch which made these rugs denser than any other Persian rugs. The Kerman rug would take upwards of a year to be finished.

Texture and Materials

The foundation of the Kerman rug is cotton and silky Carmania wool, giving it a soft and stable texture. 

They are referred as “vase carpets” because of the elaborate floral patterns and large palmettos that cover the carpet's entire the body-frame. They are normally found in the traditional colors of red and blue. The carpet's dyes are used to create a soft and subtle tone of color in its pattern design; more-so, Kerman rugs are usually lightly dyed to bring out its elegance.

Available Sizes

The antique Kerman can be found in room size and area size set-ups. The rug's sizes are commonly 9 x 12 area rugs to 10 x 14 feet and the area sizes commonly found range up from 4 x 6 Oriental rugs. These Kerman rugs can also be found in palace size forms and runners, but they are extremely hard to find. Those can range up from 10 feet to 15 feet long and wide.

The Kerman carpets have been a terrific art investment as well as delightful in home decor. They have the sophistication of adding a particular theme to whatever room they decorate.