Mid 20th Century Hamadan Persian Armenian Rug

Handwoven By Armenians of Iran,

The rich tradition of carpet weaving in Iran draws upon the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of its people, including the Armenians who played a significant role. Upon immigrating to Iran, Armenians dedicated special attention to carpet weaving, leveraging their heritage in this craft and the renowned reputation of Iranian carpet making. One noteworthy outcome of this fusion is the creation of what is now celebrated as the exquisite Armenian weave carpets (or as it is called Armani Baf in Iran), counted among the most beautiful types of Iranian carpets.

Armenian carpets are characterised by their small size, intuitive weaving techniques, and distinctive thick single-weft style. The weaving design often leans towards the geometrical or Vagireh motifs, featuring designs such as Lachak, Toranj, allover, vases, and pictorial elements. The motifs present in Iranian-Armenian carpets not only signify the artistic traditions and beliefs of this community but also share a common root with Iranian braids, setting them apart from traditional Armenian weaving.

The colour palette of Armani Baf carpets is vibrant and varied, with lacquered, navy blue, golden, pink, camel, jade green, and brown being among the most commonly used colours. This amalgamation of artistic styles and colour choices reflects the unique cultural synthesis that defines the beauty and distinctiveness of Armenian carpets in the Iranian tradition.