Originating from Heris, a province of Tabriz in Northwest Iran, Heriz carpets are one of the most renowned. Rich in tones, color, and detail, they are typically intricate, ornate, and identifiable by pronounced central medallions and motifs. The blend of wool and cotton create plushness and unmatched durability, which is why you typically see them in high trafficked areas like living, dining, or bedrooms.

Qashqai are nomadic tribes from the Zagros mountain region of Iran, which stretches across the southwestern part of the country. They have a long history of migration and thus weaved a lot of their stories and culture into the rugs themselves, which is why they have such intricate designs.

Their rugs are traditionally crafted using hand-spun wool and sometimes silk, making them both durable and exceptionally soft. They usually feature distinct, intricate patterns and jewel colors like deep blues, rich reds, and yellows.

Serapi rugs date back to 19th century Iran and are known to be some of the most intricate and intensive in terms of the weaving process. They have higher KPSI (knots per square inch) than most oriental carpets, which lends to their equal durability and value. Their name comes from their village of origin, Serab, and you can usually identify a Serapi by its dense geometric patterns.

Woven by the nomadic tribes of the Bakhtiari region in Southwestern Iran, Bakhtiari rugs are made from sheeps wool and cotton. Like many nomadic peoples, designs are inspired by natural environments and often contain floral and animals. Colors are typically bold and vibrant. Tribes reside in rugged regions of the country which makes these rugs thick and durable.

Gabbeh rugs hail from Qashqai tribes in Southwestern Iran. In Farsi, “Gabbeh” translates to something raw, natural, or uncut. Due to the nomadic nature of the weavers, Gabbeh typically depict stories, landscapes, animals, or geometric shapes. They tend to be more minimalist and simplistic in design. While there are many styles of Gabbeh rugs, almost all tend to be coarse and thick, an indication of their tribal origins. Qashqai tribes are also renowned for their Qashqai carpets.

Kayseri is a city in central Turkey influenced by the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Ottomans. Rug-making dates back to the 16th century and Kayseri rugs are often recognized by their regional motifs and central medallions. Because of Kayseri’s location amongst trade routes, weaving from this region draws influence from Iran and other parts of the region.

Kurdish rugs are vast and storied like their weavers who reside across Iran, the Caucasus, and Anatolia. While styles will vary, the nomadic nature of these communities lend to woven artforms that are bold, vibrant, thick, durable, and soft.