Ghashghai rug is one of the finest and oldest Iranian rugs with a rich history. It's important to know that the Ghashghai tribe is one of the tribes in Fars province, known for the art of weaving beautiful kilims and rugs. In this article, we aim to introduce you to Ghashghai carpets and their characteristics. So, stay tuned with carpetnrugs for more information.
Ghashghai rugs are handwoven examples of exquisite and beautiful Iranian carpets and rugs. These types of rugs have a long history throughout Iran, showcasing the centuries-old artistry of the Ghashghai tribe. One particularly interesting feature of handwoven Ghashghai rugs is the absence of predefined patterns in their weaving. It's worth noting that Ghashghai women and girls draw inspiration from their traditions, customs, and the natural beauty of their tribe to create beautiful designs on these rugs.
The patterns used by Ghashghai women for weaving these rugs often reflect the rich history of the Ghashghai people, intertwining elements from ancient times to the present day. While there are very subtle changes in the weaving and patterns of these rugs, they generally adhere to the traditions and prevalent customs of the region.
It's important to know that Ghashghai handwoven rugs are typically crafted using wool threads. The weavers dye the wool threads with natural plant-based colors, enhancing the overall beauty of Ghashghai carpets. Qashqai rugs are renowned not only in Iran but also worldwide for their authenticity, beauty, and quality. In the past, ambassadors often presented Ghashghai rugs as gifts to kings of other countries.
Today, Ghashghai rugs are considered one of the most exclusive and valuable gifts, commanding high prices. These rugs are now considered a form of antique, preserving the cultural heritage and artistry of the Ghashghai tribe.
Ghashghai Plain Ground Carpet
In the oldest Ghashghai carpets, typically only 8 colors were used. In fact, until the 12th century, Ghashghai weavers used only eight colors to create their beautiful pieces.
However, by the end of the 12th century, this number exceeded ten colors, and by the mid-13th century, Ghashghai carpets were woven with 14 colors.
Nevertheless, it can be said that before the 12th century, Ghashghai carpets did not have the richness of colors seen later, such as the deep red color of Fam Anaii. But in the early 13th century, colors like gold, fiery reds, and vibrant greens found their way into Ghashghai carpet weaving.
It's worth mentioning that in the weaving of Ghashghai plain ground carpets and, in general, all Ghashghai carpets, the crimson red color, known as "Gol-i" or bright red, is the fundamental color. Typically, this color is used for weaving borders, latches, and even in the field of the carpet. However, the use of this color in the border is quite rare.
In fact, very special Ghashghai carpets have borders in the crimson red color. For the background of Ghashghai rugs, weavers usually prefer turquoise blue, followed by green and white.
It's important to know that in the most precious Ghashghai carpets, only these three colors are used, although the presence of the green color is less pronounced in these exquisite rugs.
Ghashghai Handwoven Carpet Patterns
The patterns of handwoven Ghashghai carpets are highly diverse and exhibit a beautiful allure. Among the most famous designs of Ghashghai carpets are Termeh Gol (Pomegranate), Moharramat (Prayer), Kal-e Asbi (Horse Bridle), and Shahpasand (Royal Favorite). However, all the patterns and designs used for weaving Ghashghai carpets can be categorized into the following two groups:
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Traditional Ghashghai Carpet Patterns:
These patterns are mentally woven without any apparent order or symmetry. Traditional handwoven Ghashghai carpet patterns typically feature traditional frames and geometric structures in broken or straight forms.
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Regular Ghashghai Carpet Patterns:
These patterns are relatively recent and are used in the weaving of Ghashghai carpets with the assistance of a template. Regular patterns are further divided into six categories: Moharramat (Prayer), Afshan, Nazem, Mahi Darham, Gahi, and Botei.
Bakhtiari Ghashghai Handwoven Carpets
Bakhtiari Ghashghai handwoven carpets represent some of the most beautiful examples of Ghashghai carpets, blending the artistry of Bakhtiari people with a unique and distinct beauty. Bakhtiari carpets are considered one of the most beloved types of antique carpets. In these carpets, you can vividly see the ancient history of Iran and the two prominent Ghashghai and Bakhtiari tribes. Bakhtiari Ghashghai handwoven carpets come in a variety of diverse patterns, easily complementing various decors.
Ghashghai tribe weavers
People of the Ghashghai tribe are composed of various clans. Some of these clans, such as Kashkouli, Inanloo, Baharlou, Darreshouri, Shakarlou, Shesh Boluki, Egdar, Rahimlou, Amaleh, and Safikhanlou, have gained special recognition in carpet weaving and kilim making.
Within these clans, there are many motifs that are often similar, but their carpet patterns differ. Skilled individuals in carpet recognition can identify the corresponding clan by observing the patterns.
It should be noted that besides the Ghashghai tribe, Arab and Persian tribes also exhibit diversity in their patterns within this province. Fars Province is one of the centers of tribal weaving, but production has decreased since the 1980s due to factors such as inflation, low wages for weavers, lack of insurance, and so on.
Dyeing in Ghashghai tribe
Coloring in Ghashghai hand-woven textiles has had a significant impact on their global reputation. Ghashghai women, with their exceptional ability to sense colors and dyeing, display the diversity and freshness of colors.
In a Ghashghai rug, various colors such as green, blue, red, and gold are used. This color diversity, along with skill and simplicity in dyeing, adds exceptional allure to Ghashghai works.
Since the introduction of chemical dyes to the country, many Ghashghai weavers have turned to chemical dyeing due to its simplicity and affordability. However, in the past, Ghashghai hand-woven textiles were often produced using natural dyes, which some experts believed to have a magical quality.
Buying Ghashghai Carpets
Since Ghashghai carpets hold significant material value, it is essential to trust reputable sellers for their purchase. We recommend obtaining Ghashghai or nomadic carpets exclusively through the online store carpetnrugs.com. This store offers a wide range of Ghashghai carpets, allowing you to easily purchase any preferred style that suits your taste.
The price of handwoven Ghashghai carpets is dependent on various factors. Generally, it cannot be stated that Ghashghai carpets have a uniform unit price, as the pricing is typically estimated based on the specific features of each carpet.
However, the dimensions of a carpet, its design, and the type of yarn used in its weaving all influence the carpet's price. In essence, the larger the size of a carpet, the more time and yarn are invested in its weaving, consequently leading to a higher price.
