Description
Plush Kurdish tribal rug woven in Iran by the Kolyai, featuring a central medallion and honeycomb field design.
It appears as if much of the tan pile is un-dyed camel’s wool. Sarabi and some Kurdish rugs incorporate camel wool in their rugs as a tradition.
The rug is in excellent overall condition with only minor signs of wear.
Kurdish weavers often choose dark field colors with bold highlights; they have maintained their traditions, producing high quality tribal pieces that are eye-catching, distinctive, and durable.
Wool pile on cotton warp and weft. 1960s. The size is 9 ft. 7 in. by 3 ft. 2 in. Fairly narrow so could fit in many Western hallways.
Very solid and well crafted rug that could be used in a high foot traffic area of the home.
The Kolyai (also Koliai) are a settled Kurdish tribe located in an area near Songhur in Kermanshah Province of northwest Iran. They weave carpets somewhat similar to Persian Hamadan rugs in that they are often single weft in structure with cotton for warp and weft, and display geometric designs. Occasionally double weft Kolyai carpets are woven although usually these are in larger sizes.
The majority of the population in Iran is of Persian origin but there are a number of sizable minorities. One of these groups are the Kurds who live mainly in the western parts of the country in the provinces of Kurdistan, Zanjan and Kermanshah. Traditionally they were nomads but today most are settled, practicing agriculture and stock farming.
The men wear distinctive outfits that include baggy pants and a wide belt. About five million Kurds live in Iran and large Kurdish areas can also be found in eastern Turkey and western Iraq.
Kurdish village carpets are often attributed to the Kolyai tribe or to the town of Songhur. Other carpets woven by the Kurds, especially antiques, are often labeled as Bidjar or Senneh rugs.
Shipping is $34 within the continental U.S. Or possible free pickup near Stockton – Sacramento – San Andreas – East Bay Area with prior arrangement.
Please email me with questions or to arrange purchase. Thank you.
(KO0016 DD)
