Persian Gabbeh rugs and carpets

Persian Gabbeh rugs are woven in and around the Shiraz and Fars regions of Iran, mainly by the Qashqai tribe. They usually have a very long pile of up to an inch deep. The original old Gabbeh rugs were undyed and so cream, brown, grey and black were the only colours available. The designs have always been geometric with large expanses of clear field. In the 1970's and 80's bright colours were introduced to the Gabbeh rugs and they proved very popular with the modern decor. This trend was soon noticed by other handmade rug and carpet weavers around the world, particularly Indian, Pakistan and Turkey. Today Persian Gabbeh rugs are produced in much smaller numbers and it can be difficult to find stock in London's Oriental rug warehouses.