Bijar (also spelled Bidjar) is a Kurdish town in northwest Iran, in Kurdistan province southeast of Sanandaj. The town and the surrounding villages produce hand-knotted rugs that are widely considered among the most durable and densely constructed of any in the Persian rug tradition earning them the trade nickname "The Iron Rugs of Persia."
Three characteristics distinguish Bijar construction:
- Double-wefting between each row of knots, two weft threads are passed through (rather than the single weft typical of Hamadan rugs). This produces a thicker, stiffer rug body.
- Wet-loom finishing Bijar rugs are traditionally beaten down very tightly while still on the loom, with water occasionally applied to compress the structure further.
- Heavy beating a heavy metal comb-beater is used to drive each weft row down with significant force.
The combined result is a rug that is exceptionally heavy for its size, very thick in cross-section, and resistant to wear and crushing. A Bijar rug should not be folded for long periods the dense structure can crack at the fold; rugs should be rolled instead.
Common Bijar designs include the Herati (fish) pattern, medallion-and-corners, garden panel designs (the Gerus Bijar style), and tribal Kurdish geometric patterns. Color palettes are rich and traditional: deep reds, navy, ivory, and gold dominate.
Where to find Bijar rugs
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