Weaving has been one of the initial arts and industries of different mankind tribes. There are evidences proving the existence of rug and kilim in ancient civilizations of Persian plateau. The history of appearance of rug weaving in Iran (Persia) dates back to 1500 to 2000 B.C. while the history of appearance of kilim weaving in Iran reaches to 3000 B.C. which is considered as the initial time of textile industry in Iran. Weaving kilim and jajim (a woolen cloth) has been an introduction on appearance of rug weaving. kilim is a kind of carpet without any lint which is knitted by tying warp and woof. Usually the warp of kilim is made of cotton, wool or silk; and the woof is often wool or silk which are all used in different colors. This carpet has got many names in Persian language but in Caucasus they call it “Bedas” and in Syria and Lebanon it is named “Liat”. In Romania it is called “Chilim” and in turkey, Poland, Hungary and Saudi Arabia they call it “kilim”. According to archeology discoveries some evidences have been discovered which represents in Persian plateau and the adjacent lands there have been weaving 8000 years ago; for example in southeast caves of Mazandaran (Kamarband and Hutu cave near Behshahr city) some evidences have been found which shows that people of this region have been growing sheep and goats and spinning wools of these animals. Also a piece of cloth made of goat wool has been found near Caspian Sea with antiquity of 8000 years, also a linen cloth with antiquity of 6000 years was found in Shush city.
Despite all these evidences, we cannot find an accurate initiating time for Kilim. If we consider the initiating time of rug weaving - based on Pazirik discovery - 1500 to 2000 B.C. We can declare that the initiating time of kilim weaving has been 3000 to 5000 B.C.
Different kinds of Kilims in Persia
Kilim is being weaved in different parts of Iran and the distinction of kilim is based on the region and the type of kilim. Each region - according to its taste and feelings - creates an especial design and color for kilim. Different kinds of kilims and their production places are as the following:
- Shirikipich weaved in villages and by nomads of Kerman.
- Verni weaved in Maghan plain and by nomads of Ahar vicinity.
- Arsbaran weaved in Meshkin Shahr of eastern Azarbayejan province.
- Gelimche weaved in Bijar and neighboring villages of Sanandaj.
- Zilo which is mostly weaved by cotton and is used as a summer carpet.
- Palas or Yalas which is weaved in Yazd.
- Masnad weaved in villages of Namin district of Ardebil province.
- Jal which is used as a dress for pack animals or as a prayer cloth.
- Ensy which is used for tying the furniture or is used for packing blankets and quilts.
- Javal which is weaved in the form of a bag and nomads use it for storing the foods
Except all these kilims, there are Sumak kilims which are called Verni in local dialect; these kilims are for people of Azarbayejan. There is another kilim named Lori kilim which is for Lorestan province. Hersin kilim, Baluch kilim and Khamse kilim are also remarkable kilims of Shiraz. Sanne kilim is for Sanandaj of Kordestan province. Ghashghayi, Afshar, Zarand and Torkaman kilims are other type of kilims of Iran which have their own local features.
The Yazd rugs have asymmetrical (Persian) knots with three wefts. The number of knots in square inch is much lower than Isfahan rugs and Nain rugs, but the pile is softer and longer. The quality of the wool which is from the local is fine and the natural dye makes the rug look lustrous. In the desert surrounding the city of Yazd, madder is cultivated and its root is used for different shades of deep and light red.
