Naeen handwoven carpets are famous for their top-notch materials and fine craftsmanship. Loved by carpet enthusiasts, these rugs stand out for their flawless weaving, precise symmetry, and bright, soft colors. In this blog post, we'll explore the history, design, colors, and unique features that make Naeen carpets so special.

History of Naeen Carpets

The beautiful city of Naeen is located on the western edge of the Dasht-e Kavir desert, 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Isfahan. Its adobe buildings are the first thing that catches the eye. With the advancement of the textile industry in Europe, the traditional aba weaving industry in Naeen lost its prosperity, leading the weavers to shift to carpet weaving around 1941. Given that aba weaving is a delicate craft, Naeen carpets often have a high knot count, sometimes reaching up to 90 knots per 2.5 inches.

As Naeen weavers were accustomed to spinning fine threads for delicate and coarse fabrics, they set up the carpet warps in such a way that they achieved 22x22 knots per inch, producing carpets with unprecedented fineness in Iran. These carpets were transported to Tehran, where they were recognized as some of the finest and most intricately woven carpets in Iran.

Initially, Naeen carpets followed the designs of Bakhtiari, Yazd, and even Arak and Isfahan. However, after World War II, Naeen developed its own distinctive designs and weaving styles, securing a special place among Iranian carpet patterns. Despite this artistic independence, the influence of Isfahan's designs remained undeniably and perpetually dominant in Naeen's weaving.

Design and Color of Naeen Carpets

The main designs used in Naeen carpets include well-known patterns such as Shah Abbasi, Lachak Toranj (Medallion), Bandi Shakh Gavazn Hayvandaar, Shah Abbasi Afshan, and Bazoubandi. The adept use of traditional designs combined with the unique color schemes of Naeen carpets has given them a special and global identity. Other traditional motifs artistically utilized in Naeen carpets include Hunting, Vase, Flower and Bird, Tree or Jungle, Dome, Ceiling, Haj Khanami, Panel, Mihrab, Striped, Afshan, Lachak Toranj, Inscription, and Historical designs. These patterns show the undeniable similarities with Isfahan carpets, indicating the significant influence of Isfahan's designs on Naeen carpets while maintaining independent color schemes.

One of the distinguishing features of Naeen carpets is the insistence of dyers on using a cold color palette. Preferred colors often include white, ivory, turquoise, sky blue, navy blue, pistachio green, beige, and rarely red. Another notable feature is the contrast between the borders' soft colours and the main field's dark colours. Overall, flawless weaving, precise symmetry, the use of bright and soft colors, and the absence of shading techniques in coloring are the hallmarks of Naeen carpets.

Features of Naeen Carpets

Naeen carpets are woven with asymmetrical (Persian) knots, ranging from 300,000 to one million knots per square meter (about 28,000 to 93,000 knots per square foot). Double knots are also used in these carpets. The common knot density (Raj count) for Naeen carpets is between 50 and 70 knots per 2.5 inches. Carpet experts use a specific term to determine the fineness (Raj count) of Naeen carpets: "Naeen Chahar La", "Naeen Shish La", and "Naeen No La". This terminology is unique to Naeen weavings, where the value of the carpets is often determined by the number of strands in the warp threads.

The mentioned number indicates the number of twisted threads used for the carpet warp. For instance, a six-ply Naeen carpet's warp is made from twisting six strands of thread, making the four-ply type rarer and more delicate. Four-ply carpets require thin fingers for weaving and strong eyesight for pattern reading.

The primary materials for weaving Naeen carpets are wool, with silk used for outlining flowers and leaves, known as "Gol Abrisham". The warping technique is Persian, and the finishing and edging are done during the weaving process. Instead of using thick wool, fine wool is used in Naeen carpets.

The sizes of Naeen carpets vary from small rugs to large and even extra-large carpets, which are made to order. However, sizes of 6 and 9 square meters (about 64 and 97 square feet) are more common.

Conclusion

Naeen carpets are true masterpieces of Persian weaving, known for their exquisite designs, and unique color schemes. They present the rich cultural heritage and artistic skill of their weavers. Whether you're a collector or simply want to add elegance to your home, Naeen carpets are an excellent choice.

Feel free to check out our rug collection and find the perfect Naeen carpet for your space!