What is a Gabbeh rug?

The Gabbeh comes from the tents and villages of the nomads in Fars and the foothills of the Zagros. Weavers originally knotted it as a warm sleeping mat, which is why it is dense and high-piled. Rather than following a design, the pattern follows the family’s daily life: stylised goats, camels, a tree, often simply a calm field in cream, brown or red. The wool is spun by hand and dyed with plants. Because each batch of yarn takes the dye slightly differently, Abrash, a subtle play of colour, runs through the pile; it is the mark of genuine handwork.

Gabbeh or Rizbaf?

The Rizbaf is more densely knotted and has a slightly lower pile. According to our product data, it usually has 250,000 to 490,000 knots per square metre, the Gabbeh 90,000 to 250,000. This allows finer motifs in a Rizbaf. Gabbeh Basi stands for a particularly thick pile, Gabbeh Sonnat for traditional nomadic patterns.

Gabbeh or Kelim for a modern interior?

Both suit clean, modern rooms. The Gabbeh brings warmth and softness to living rooms and bedrooms, while the Kelim is flat and light and belongs more in hallways and kitchens. Under a dining table, the rule is that the rug should be large enough for all the chairs to stand fully on it when you sit down; that is why many Gabbeh rugs also come in 200 × 300 cm and larger. More background in our guide What is a Gabbeh rug?

Tip: with ‘View in your room’ on the product page, you can use your smartphone to place any Gabbeh in your room at full size.