Gabbeh rugs are a traditional type of Persian rug, originally used as sleeping mats. These hand-knotted rugs are often medium-sized, around 3 by 5 ft, but can be larger. They are known for their abstract designs, featuring large fields of color and geometric patterns. Gabbehs are popular among the Kurdish, Luri, and Qashqai communities in the Zagros Mountains of Iran and are typically crafted by women.
The designs are simple, often with a limited number of rectangular motifs depicting animals. Gabbehs are known for their bright colors, like yellow and red, which often shift in shade throughout the rug, creating subtle variation. Made from natural, handspun wool yarn, all colors come from natural plant dyes.