Arak (Sarouk) Rugs
by Majid Paydar, PhD
Introduction
For more than a century, rugs from Sarouk, Farahan, Mahal, and Lilian have been cherished by buyers and collectors—with little understanding of the area from which they came and their history. The objective of this monograph is to shed some light on the origins of these treasured designs and on the geography of the area. The information is from research into sociology and industry texts published in Iran and translated from the Farsi language.
History
It is known that rugs were made sporadically around Sultanabad, the city that later was changed to Arak. Some 150 years ago, rugs made in the area were known under the Farahan or Meshkabad, Kozas, Sarouk, Mahallat, Tarehmozd, and Anjdan.[1] However, the growth of the industry and the fame of Sarouk came about later. Around the turn of the century, the rug industry gained a new momentum. The astonishing variety of creative rugs rich in design and colors reached worldwide fame and recognition.
Arak is a relatively new city compared to the other archaic cities in Iran. The city was built in 1895 by a decree of the Fathali-Shah. In the beginning, the city was called Sultanabad; the name was changed to Arak in 1937.[2]
The city has always been a significant rug center. The geography of the area, the semi-agrarian lifestyle, the proper husbandry conditions, and the traditional knowledge of dyes are among the factors influencing the area’s rapid rise as an industry leader. Natural assets included accessibility to quality wool due to the animal husbandry in nearby mountainous areas and western pastures around Lorestan, Malayer, and Broujerd; the availability of proper ingredients for the wool-dyeing process; and the right type of water. Also, the lifestyle of the nomadic population in many surrounding villages and the harsh winters are among other reasons mentioned as to why the rug industry rose to its full potential in this part of the world.[3]
At the outset, it was Tabriz merchants who promoted rug weaving in the region during the Naseradin Shah’s reign in 1875. Soon after, foreign investors such as Ziglar (a joint British and Swedish corporation) and other European and American companies entered the area and persuaded the weavers to make rugs to their taste. However, due to World War I, these efforts did not last long, and all foreign offices were shut down by the 1920s.[4]
However, foreign investments had their own impact on both the designs and the productivity of the industry. For example, the Ziglar Company and the two others each had over 2,500 looms active at one time. World War I created a sudden depression in the industry and the withdrawal of foreign influences. The industry revived again shortly after the war when the people of the region took over their own destiny, led by talented designers and master weavers.
by Majid Paydar, PhD
Introduction
For more than a century, rugs from Sarouk, Farahan, Mahal, and Lilian have been cherished by buyers and collectors—with little understanding of the area from which they came and their history. The objective of this monograph is to shed some light on the origins of these treasured designs and on the geography of the area. The information is from research into sociology and industry texts published in Iran and translated from the Farsi language.
History
It is known that rugs were made sporadically around Sultanabad, the city that later was changed to Arak. Some 150 years ago, rugs made in the area were known under the Farahan or Meshkabad, Kozas, Sarouk, Mahallat, Tarehmozd, and Anjdan.[1] However, the growth of the industry and the fame of Sarouk came about later. Around the turn of the century, the rug industry gained a new momentum. The astonishing variety of creative rugs rich in design and colors reached worldwide fame and recognition.
Arak is a relatively new city compared to the other archaic cities in Iran. The city was built in 1895 by a decree of the Fathali-Shah. In the beginning, the city was called Sultanabad; the name was changed to Arak in 1937.[2]
The city has always been a significant rug center. The geography of the area, the semi-agrarian lifestyle, the proper husbandry conditions, and the traditional knowledge of dyes are among the factors influencing the area’s rapid rise as an industry leader. Natural assets included accessibility to quality wool due to the animal husbandry in nearby mountainous areas and western pastures around Lorestan, Malayer, and Broujerd; the availability of proper ingredients for the wool-dyeing process; and the right type of water. Also, the lifestyle of the nomadic population in many surrounding villages and the harsh winters are among other reasons mentioned as to why the rug industry rose to its full potential in this part of the world.[3]
At the outset, it was Tabriz merchants who promoted rug weaving in the region during the Naseradin Shah’s reign in 1875. Soon after, foreign investors such as Ziglar (a joint British and Swedish corporation) and other European and American companies entered the area and persuaded the weavers to make rugs to their taste. However, due to World War I, these efforts did not last long, and all foreign offices were shut down by the 1920s.[4]
However, foreign investments had their own impact on both the designs and the productivity of the industry. For example, the Ziglar Company and the two others each had over 2,500 looms active at one time. World War I created a sudden depression in the industry and the withdrawal of foreign influences. The industry revived again shortly after the war when the people of the region took over their own destiny, led by talented designers and master weavers.
Major Rug Weaving Centers
Among many rug weaving centers around Arak, some are outstanding: such as Farahan, Mahallat (Mahal), Sarouk, Lilian, and Meshkabad. In fact, some fabulous Arak and Farahan rugs are in famous museums, such as the Iran Rug Museum.
It is important to know that rugs made in Arak are not comparable to other great rug producing centers of the country. For example, Hamedan and its peripheral villages have their own style and individuality and, therefore, can be readily distinguished one from another. In his effort at classifying rugs made in the area, Edwards came to three types of rugs made in the area: Meshkabad, Mahal, and Sarouk. However, these types of rugs are not the specialty of a particular area or village. Classification of these rugs is difficult because these locations are very close to each other; for instance, the two places of Meshkabad and Mahal are close to each other and often weavers transferred from one place to another.[5]
Further analysis led Edwards to the following Table showing the types of rugs and their grades by location. In this Table the degrees of excellence of rugs shown are 1, 2, and 3, with 1 the highest and 3 the lowest grade.[6]
Among many rug weaving centers around Arak, some are outstanding: such as Farahan, Mahallat (Mahal), Sarouk, Lilian, and Meshkabad. In fact, some fabulous Arak and Farahan rugs are in famous museums, such as the Iran Rug Museum.
It is important to know that rugs made in Arak are not comparable to other great rug producing centers of the country. For example, Hamedan and its peripheral villages have their own style and individuality and, therefore, can be readily distinguished one from another. In his effort at classifying rugs made in the area, Edwards came to three types of rugs made in the area: Meshkabad, Mahal, and Sarouk. However, these types of rugs are not the specialty of a particular area or village. Classification of these rugs is difficult because these locations are very close to each other; for instance, the two places of Meshkabad and Mahal are close to each other and often weavers transferred from one place to another.[5]
Further analysis led Edwards to the following Table showing the types of rugs and their grades by location. In this Table the degrees of excellence of rugs shown are 1, 2, and 3, with 1 the highest and 3 the lowest grade.[6]
As the Table suggests, Sarouk rugs are made in several places, and are not exclusive to a particular area. In addition to the locations that the Table suggests, other villages like Mohajeran make fine Sarouk rugs. Moreover, many dealers in the rug business use the name “Sarouk” combined with the specific location where a rug was made; for example, names such as Josan Sarouk, Sarouk Farahan, Sarouk Mahal, or Sarouk Mohajeran are common. However, it is important to mention that the differentiation of these types of rugs is made mainly by the differences in weave. Therefore, fine Sarouk rugs with a tight weave from Mohajeran can be differentiated from the Josan Sarouk with a lesser number of knots per square inch; an even looser weave is found in Sarouk Mahal rugs.
In summary, since the mid-19th century, rugs were made on a small scale in the city of Arak (Sarouk) and nearby towns and villages. Native conditions and creativity combined with business experience gleaned from interaction with Tabriz rug merchants led to industry growth to meet foreign market demand.
[1] Sooresrafil, Shirin. Sarouk Rugs. Tehran (in Farsi), 1993.
[2] Yassavoli, Djavad. An Introduction to Iran Carpets. Tehran (in Farsi), 1992.
[3] Sooresrafil.
[4] Sooresrafil.
[5] Edwards, C. Carpets of Iran. Tehran (in Farsi), 1948.
[6] Edwards.