A Reference List of Great Contemporary Persian Rug Designers
by Majid Paydar
Introduction
The objective of this article is to introduce prominent Iranian rug designers who dedicated their lives to this endeavor. Although this is by no means an exhaustive list of everyone, it identifies some of the prominent workshops and designers. In the search to get to know these artists and their works it was found that, unfortunately, not much research has been done by scholars or enough recognition by the society.
The acquired information was based on Persian literature and scattered articles in newspapers and magazines. However, two recent books published in Persian, one by Shirin Soor-Esrafil called The Great Carpet Designers of Iran and the other by Javad Yassavoli, An Introduction to Persian Rugs, were most helpful.
Objectives
The purpose of this article is to give the reader a better understanding of the following points:
First, although tribal and village rugs were mostly woven by eye or memory, designers are involved always in the creation of fine rugs. Furthermore, in constructing such fine rugs, every knot is calculated according to the drawing. Second, designing and weaving are two different processes. While weaving is considered a craft, design is an art. Third, the provided list can be helpful to buyers, collectors, and dealers.
Significance and Background of Designers
The powerful imagination of the designers is one main reason that Persian rugs are outstanding. Usually, one drawing is made for one rug. That is why Persian rugs are generally considered one-of-a-kind.
Reading about the life history of many designers reveals that designing rugs is not a separate sphere of activity. They are often engaged in many other branches of art such as oil painting, Persian miniature art, music, poetry, architectural tile painting for mosques, etc.
Furthermore, as trainees, designers have gone through two types of schools. First, the ones who followed the traditional school, by which they were trained under the instruction of their fathers, acquaintances or relatives. Second, those who actually had formal education and were trained by masters in the field in various institutions such as “Honarhaye Ziba” in Isphahan, “Sanaaye Mosstazrafe” in Tabriz and “Honarhaye Ziba” in Tehran.
It is important to mention that sometimes a rug is actually signed with the name of the workshop, like Amo-Oghli. In this particular case Abdol-Mohammad Amo Oghli. In this particular case Abdol-Mohammad Amo Oghli was himself a master weaver. He and his brother set up various workshops in Mashad. Rugs made out of these places were usually oversize, excellent in quality and equally famous as other individual rug designers. Due to the difficulty in differentiating famous workshops and prominent designers, they are listed as one category.
The following list is organized by the names of major cities in Iran where fine rugs are made.
by Majid Paydar
Introduction
The objective of this article is to introduce prominent Iranian rug designers who dedicated their lives to this endeavor. Although this is by no means an exhaustive list of everyone, it identifies some of the prominent workshops and designers. In the search to get to know these artists and their works it was found that, unfortunately, not much research has been done by scholars or enough recognition by the society.
The acquired information was based on Persian literature and scattered articles in newspapers and magazines. However, two recent books published in Persian, one by Shirin Soor-Esrafil called The Great Carpet Designers of Iran and the other by Javad Yassavoli, An Introduction to Persian Rugs, were most helpful.
Objectives
The purpose of this article is to give the reader a better understanding of the following points:
First, although tribal and village rugs were mostly woven by eye or memory, designers are involved always in the creation of fine rugs. Furthermore, in constructing such fine rugs, every knot is calculated according to the drawing. Second, designing and weaving are two different processes. While weaving is considered a craft, design is an art. Third, the provided list can be helpful to buyers, collectors, and dealers.
Significance and Background of Designers
The powerful imagination of the designers is one main reason that Persian rugs are outstanding. Usually, one drawing is made for one rug. That is why Persian rugs are generally considered one-of-a-kind.
Reading about the life history of many designers reveals that designing rugs is not a separate sphere of activity. They are often engaged in many other branches of art such as oil painting, Persian miniature art, music, poetry, architectural tile painting for mosques, etc.
Furthermore, as trainees, designers have gone through two types of schools. First, the ones who followed the traditional school, by which they were trained under the instruction of their fathers, acquaintances or relatives. Second, those who actually had formal education and were trained by masters in the field in various institutions such as “Honarhaye Ziba” in Isphahan, “Sanaaye Mosstazrafe” in Tabriz and “Honarhaye Ziba” in Tehran.
It is important to mention that sometimes a rug is actually signed with the name of the workshop, like Amo-Oghli. In this particular case Abdol-Mohammad Amo Oghli. In this particular case Abdol-Mohammad Amo Oghli was himself a master weaver. He and his brother set up various workshops in Mashad. Rugs made out of these places were usually oversize, excellent in quality and equally famous as other individual rug designers. Due to the difficulty in differentiating famous workshops and prominent designers, they are listed as one category.
The following list is organized by the names of major cities in Iran where fine rugs are made.
Qum
Davoud Kalhor, Ali Ouliaie, Abbas Malik, Vaaghefi, Rashti-Zadeh, Arsalaani, Rajabian, Saaberi, Kaffash-Zadeh
Davoud Kalhor, Ali Ouliaie, Abbas Malik, Vaaghefi, Rashti-Zadeh, Arsalaani, Rajabian, Saaberi, Kaffash-Zadeh
Tabriz
Tabriz is a city in the northwest of Iran, holding a long history in rug weaving. Since the Safavid Dynasty this city has been a major center in this effort. From the latter part of the Qajar Dynasty on, Tabriz has become the major center for exporting rugs to the world market. Some of the outstanding rug designers and notable workshops in this area are:
Hossein Taaherzadeh Behzaad, Hadj Jalili, Ahmad Emaad, Seyyed Majid Hosseini, Hassan Haddad, Rahimpour Kaazemi, Mohammad-Hossein Benaam, Gholam-Hossein Khiabani, Alipour Halladji, Akbar Nezami-Doost, Mir Mossavar, Rassam Arzhangi, Abdollah Baagheri, Ghaffari, Habibollah Amin-Afshar, Mohammad Taghi Khiabani, Abbas-Ali Aela-Baaf, Akbar Bargi, Assadollah Daghighi, Gholi Naami, Yusof Taemoli, Gholam-Hossein Eskandaani, Abol-Ghassem Emaghani, Ibrahim Rezai, Ibrahim Pour-naami, Jafar Pak-Dast, Karim Zarkhah, Naghi Zarkhah, Shah-Savaar-Pour, Rassam Arabzadeh, Moghimi Tabrizi, Zaavieh, Karimi
Tabriz is a city in the northwest of Iran, holding a long history in rug weaving. Since the Safavid Dynasty this city has been a major center in this effort. From the latter part of the Qajar Dynasty on, Tabriz has become the major center for exporting rugs to the world market. Some of the outstanding rug designers and notable workshops in this area are:
Hossein Taaherzadeh Behzaad, Hadj Jalili, Ahmad Emaad, Seyyed Majid Hosseini, Hassan Haddad, Rahimpour Kaazemi, Mohammad-Hossein Benaam, Gholam-Hossein Khiabani, Alipour Halladji, Akbar Nezami-Doost, Mir Mossavar, Rassam Arzhangi, Abdollah Baagheri, Ghaffari, Habibollah Amin-Afshar, Mohammad Taghi Khiabani, Abbas-Ali Aela-Baaf, Akbar Bargi, Assadollah Daghighi, Gholi Naami, Yusof Taemoli, Gholam-Hossein Eskandaani, Abol-Ghassem Emaghani, Ibrahim Rezai, Ibrahim Pour-naami, Jafar Pak-Dast, Karim Zarkhah, Naghi Zarkhah, Shah-Savaar-Pour, Rassam Arabzadeh, Moghimi Tabrizi, Zaavieh, Karimi
Tehran
Hassan Mousavi, Ghaasem Mousavi, Hassan Rezaie, Mohammad Hossein Ziaie
Hassan Mousavi, Ghaasem Mousavi, Hassan Rezaie, Mohammad Hossein Ziaie
Nain
Habibian, Mofidi
Habibian, Mofidi
Kerman
Kerman, a city in the southeast of Iran, has a long history in rug weaving. It was in the Safavid and Qajar dynasties that this art expanded significantly. The number of well-known designers exceeds one hundred fifty. Some of these famous designers and workshops are:
Mohssen Khan, Hassan Khan, Zaman Khan Mir-Hosseini, Sheikh Ramzan Mir-Sirjani, Kaazem Ahmad Khan, Ahmad Ali Khan Karbalaai, Akbar Fadaai, Ali-Mohammad Kaashi, Hadj Mohammad Jafar, Azizollah Bahaarestani, Reza Bahremand, Hossein Rassuli Raavari, Mohammad-Ali Mahaddes-Zaadeh, Mohammad-Ali Shaahrokhi, Akbar Bahaarestani, Abbas Soroori, Ahmad Kayvan, Ali Sowti, Ali Honari, Rashid Farrokhi, Qhassem Kermani, Mohammad Arjomand Kermani, Ali-Asghar Garmsiri, Hassan Sowti, Ali Saaheb-Zamani, Hassan Mottaghi, Mahmoud Rassouli, Ahmad Rassouli, Abdol-Hossein Mir-Sirjani, Akbar Daaneshmand, Asghar Daaneshmand, Hossein Vaezi, Maashallah Afghan-Zadeh, Akbar Tajrobekar, Asghar Nafissi, Ali-Akbar Kashani, Hossein Kermani, Ahmad Arjomand
Kerman, a city in the southeast of Iran, has a long history in rug weaving. It was in the Safavid and Qajar dynasties that this art expanded significantly. The number of well-known designers exceeds one hundred fifty. Some of these famous designers and workshops are:
Mohssen Khan, Hassan Khan, Zaman Khan Mir-Hosseini, Sheikh Ramzan Mir-Sirjani, Kaazem Ahmad Khan, Ahmad Ali Khan Karbalaai, Akbar Fadaai, Ali-Mohammad Kaashi, Hadj Mohammad Jafar, Azizollah Bahaarestani, Reza Bahremand, Hossein Rassuli Raavari, Mohammad-Ali Mahaddes-Zaadeh, Mohammad-Ali Shaahrokhi, Akbar Bahaarestani, Abbas Soroori, Ahmad Kayvan, Ali Sowti, Ali Honari, Rashid Farrokhi, Qhassem Kermani, Mohammad Arjomand Kermani, Ali-Asghar Garmsiri, Hassan Sowti, Ali Saaheb-Zamani, Hassan Mottaghi, Mahmoud Rassouli, Ahmad Rassouli, Abdol-Hossein Mir-Sirjani, Akbar Daaneshmand, Asghar Daaneshmand, Hossein Vaezi, Maashallah Afghan-Zadeh, Akbar Tajrobekar, Asghar Nafissi, Ali-Akbar Kashani, Hossein Kermani, Ahmad Arjomand
Isphahan
Isphahan is a city in the central part of Iran. It was during the Safavid dynasty that this city became the capital city and the art of rug weaving along with architectural excellence in constructing well-known mosques, schools and the bazaar flourished. Many outstanding Persian rugs in famous museums all over the world are the product of this area. Some of the distinguishable designers and prominent workshops of this area are:
Issa Bahaadori, Saadegh Sayrafian, Hooshang Jazi-Zadeh, Javaad Rostami Shirazi, Mahmoud Farsh-Chian, Mehdi Haghighi, Gholaam-Ali Haghighi, Ahmad Daadkhah, Ahmad Kushesh, Hadj Mirza Agha Imami, Hossein Mossavar-Almolki, Ahmad Archang, Jafar Rashtian, Abbas Karbaasioon, Ruhollah Minaian, Rahmatollah Shaadman, Akbar Mahdei, Asqhar Rassouli (Ghomi), Abbas Maleki, Mehdi Alamdaari, Yadollah Safdarzaadeh Haghighi, Reza Shaakeri, Asghar Bayaat, Ahmad Shokraani
Isphahan is a city in the central part of Iran. It was during the Safavid dynasty that this city became the capital city and the art of rug weaving along with architectural excellence in constructing well-known mosques, schools and the bazaar flourished. Many outstanding Persian rugs in famous museums all over the world are the product of this area. Some of the distinguishable designers and prominent workshops of this area are:
Issa Bahaadori, Saadegh Sayrafian, Hooshang Jazi-Zadeh, Javaad Rostami Shirazi, Mahmoud Farsh-Chian, Mehdi Haghighi, Gholaam-Ali Haghighi, Ahmad Daadkhah, Ahmad Kushesh, Hadj Mirza Agha Imami, Hossein Mossavar-Almolki, Ahmad Archang, Jafar Rashtian, Abbas Karbaasioon, Ruhollah Minaian, Rahmatollah Shaadman, Akbar Mahdei, Asqhar Rassouli (Ghomi), Abbas Maleki, Mehdi Alamdaari, Yadollah Safdarzaadeh Haghighi, Reza Shaakeri, Asghar Bayaat, Ahmad Shokraani
Mashad
Mashad is the name of a major city in northeast Iran. The Iran Carpet Company in Mashad has attracted many other rug designers from other cities such as Tabriz, Kerman, etc. Since their activities have been in this area, they are categorized with local designers. The following are some famous designers and workshops in the area:
Amo Oghli, Abdol-Hamid Sanaetnegar, Makhmal-Baaf, Saaber, Seyyed Hossein Saanei, Mohammad Hossein Mahdavi, Rezaie, Zarin Kolk, Ali-Akbar Tarh-Chi, Ahmad Behboodi, Mohammad Hossein Shahidi Nezhaad, Mohammad Shaalbaafan, Haj Ismail Irani, Asghar Zurmand Mohammad Hosseini, Alipour, Fakour, Ghazi-Khan, Jalilian Vaarasteh, Kaafi, Sheikh Pourangi
Mashad is the name of a major city in northeast Iran. The Iran Carpet Company in Mashad has attracted many other rug designers from other cities such as Tabriz, Kerman, etc. Since their activities have been in this area, they are categorized with local designers. The following are some famous designers and workshops in the area:
Amo Oghli, Abdol-Hamid Sanaetnegar, Makhmal-Baaf, Saaber, Seyyed Hossein Saanei, Mohammad Hossein Mahdavi, Rezaie, Zarin Kolk, Ali-Akbar Tarh-Chi, Ahmad Behboodi, Mohammad Hossein Shahidi Nezhaad, Mohammad Shaalbaafan, Haj Ismail Irani, Asghar Zurmand Mohammad Hosseini, Alipour, Fakour, Ghazi-Khan, Jalilian Vaarasteh, Kaafi, Sheikh Pourangi
Kashan
Kashan is a city located in the fringe of Dasht-e-Kavir desert. It has a history of six thousand years. During her long history Kashan has hardly been affected, either by foreign invasions or by industrialization. Only Afghan invasion sometimes slowed down rug weaving. Sine the Qajar reign economic activities picked up to the extent that in most houses rug weaving predominates. The following are some prominent designers and notable workshops:
Mirza Ahmad, Mirza Ali-Akbar, Seyyed Reza Saanei, Mirza NassRollah Saanei, Mahmoud Dabir-Sanaaye, Reza Vafa, Mehdi Saanei, Mahmoud Saniei, Seyyed Mirza Afsari, Mohammad Afsari, Nezam Afsari, Hadj Hassan Mohtashemi, Mohammad Taghi Poshti-Baaf, Abbas Saanei, Mohammad Saniei, Hossein Taghdissi, Amir Karimpour, Hassan Maerefati, Kah-Keshani, Ali Ashraf Kaashani, Morteza Darviesh Kaazem, Mohammad Hassan Farsh-Chi, Ataie Bros., Mohammad Tavvakoli, Hossein Etminaan, Mohammad & Hossein Isphahanian Frutan, Reza Sadighiani, Hossein Saabet
Kashan is a city located in the fringe of Dasht-e-Kavir desert. It has a history of six thousand years. During her long history Kashan has hardly been affected, either by foreign invasions or by industrialization. Only Afghan invasion sometimes slowed down rug weaving. Sine the Qajar reign economic activities picked up to the extent that in most houses rug weaving predominates. The following are some prominent designers and notable workshops:
Mirza Ahmad, Mirza Ali-Akbar, Seyyed Reza Saanei, Mirza NassRollah Saanei, Mahmoud Dabir-Sanaaye, Reza Vafa, Mehdi Saanei, Mahmoud Saniei, Seyyed Mirza Afsari, Mohammad Afsari, Nezam Afsari, Hadj Hassan Mohtashemi, Mohammad Taghi Poshti-Baaf, Abbas Saanei, Mohammad Saniei, Hossein Taghdissi, Amir Karimpour, Hassan Maerefati, Kah-Keshani, Ali Ashraf Kaashani, Morteza Darviesh Kaazem, Mohammad Hassan Farsh-Chi, Ataie Bros., Mohammad Tavvakoli, Hossein Etminaan, Mohammad & Hossein Isphahanian Frutan, Reza Sadighiani, Hossein Saabet
In summary, although sporadically some famous patterns like Shah-Safi are duplicated by individual workshops or the Iran Carpet Company, this is not the same as Persian rug patterns being unjustly copied by the hundreds in other countries such as China, India or Romania.
Today there are hundreds of well-known designers in Iran. Consequently, thousands of magnificent patterns are created. The tradition that Persian rugs are considered one-of-a-kind is due to the constant effort of the creative designers.
Today there are hundreds of well-known designers in Iran. Consequently, thousands of magnificent patterns are created. The tradition that Persian rugs are considered one-of-a-kind is due to the constant effort of the creative designers.
