Bijar is a city in Kurdistan Province and the administrative centre of Bijar County in western Persia. The region is one of the oldest rug-weaving areas of northwestern Persia. Because of their exceptional strength and durability, Bijar rugs have become famously known as the “Iron Rugs of Persia.” Bijar rugs may be considered a form of urban-style Kurdish weaving, produced across different parts of Kurdistan.
This Bijar rug features a traditional corner-and-medallion composition with the Mahi pattern, a design adapted from the Tabriz rug-weaving tradition. It was woven with local wool and other regional materials in a palette of light madder red, deep navy, and golden tones.
The Mahi corner-and-medallion design is among the most admired patterns in Persian rugs, particularly in Bijar weaving. Its remarkable attention to detail and the delicacy of its motifs can impress even the most discerning admirer of fine rugs.
This rug was woven using a compact lul-baft¹ structure, with symmetrical knots and two wefts between each row of knots. This dense and demanding construction is one of the techniques associated with the exceptional strength, body, and durability of Bijar rugs.
One of the most striking features of this piece is its beautiful border, decorated with Gol Farang² floral motifs woven in a golden background. Surrounding the rug like an elegant frame, this unusual border gives the piece a distinctive visual presence rarely seen in comparable examples.
A closer look at the composition reveals another fascinating detail. Within the lines separating the corner pieces and central medallion from the field, one can see an abstract interpretation of the cross motif, known locally as Khach.
- Origin: Bidjar, Persia
- Age: Mid 20th century
- Material: Finely-woven cork³-wool pile on cotton foundation
- Dimensions: 8' 7" x 11' 10" (262 x 360 cm)
- Condition: Great overall condition, with a great pile for its age. Very heavy for the size.
¹ Lul-baft: refers to a tightly woven structure in which the warps are strongly displaced or fully depressed. Together with the double-wefted construction, it contributes to the dense and famously durable character of Bijar rugs.
² Gol Farang: refers to European-influenced floral motifs that became established in Persian decorative and rug-weaving traditions.
³ Kork or cork: originally refers to the exceptionally soft undercoat that grows beneath the coarser outer hair of goats or camels during winter, providing natural insulation against the cold. In spring, the animals are combed, allowing these fine fibres to be separated from the outer coat and carefully collected. This process produces some of the softest and finest natural fibres available.
Historically, nomadic communities used this luxurious fibre to make gloves, hats, trousers, and other garments. It was also used for small, finely woven pieces such as bags, comb cases, and similar personal belongings.
Occasionally, jajims and even small rugs were woven with kork. These pieces were distinguished by their extraordinary fineness and delicacy. Such weavings are generally very rare, as collecting and processing enough of this fibre for a larger piece was both difficult and extremely time-consuming.
In the rug trade, however, the term kork is also used more broadly for any wool that is exceptionally fine, soft, and delicate.
