Persian Gharajeh

Persian GharajehGharajeh (Karadja, Karaja) rugs are heirloom textiles that were hand woven in or near the village of Qarajeh, Heris (Heriz), northeast of Tabriz in the Iranian province of East Azerbaijan. The unique design characteristics of Karaja rugs distinguish them from other Northwestern Persian (Iranian) rugs and carpets. Although the strong pattern is usually rectilinear, it can mimic other rug styles, namely the Heriz with its medallion style. A typical

Hand-knotting results in straight-lined patterns that include humans

although the Turkish knot can be found in some antique carpets

A rectilinear medallion is arranged horizontally or vertically in the middle of the field

Since the 15th century

traditional one-way tribal symbols

Often featuring patterns of Persian origin

High quality carpets called Shahr-baff (Shahr meaning city

a highly valued Persian knot

Herati (the most common) and Boteh or all-over florals

influenced by the Persian varieties

It is the semi-nomadic Kudish people of Markad – living in tribes away from the city and practicing the traditions of their ancestors – that weave the tribal Lilian rug

similar to modern Kerman rugs