A Gabbeh (also spelled Gabeh) is a type of coarse, thick-piled rug originally woven by the Qashqai and Luri tribal peoples of southwestern Iran in the Fars and Lorestan regions. The name gabbeh comes from a Persian word that loosely translates to "raw" or "uncut" — a reference to the rug's deliberately simple, unrefined character.
Traditional Gabbeh features:
- Long, shaggy wool pile — typically much thicker than other Persian rugs
- Low knot count — usually under 100 KPSI, often well below
- Simple, bold designs — wide open color fields, geometric figures, stylized animals (especially lions), trees of life, and human figures
- Hand-spun wool dyed with natural plant-based colors
- A spontaneous, often asymmetric design sensibility — Gabbehs were originally made for the weaver's own family use, not for commercial sale
In the 1990s, Gabbeh rugs began to be produced in much larger quantities for international markets, driven in part by Western interest in their minimalist look. Today, the term "Gabbeh" covers a wide range of production — from authentic tribal pieces to commercial workshop versions with more uniform construction. A related modern category is the Loribaft, which uses similar materials but with somewhat finer knot density and more refined designs.
Gabbehs are popular in contemporary interiors precisely because their bold, simple aesthetic pairs well with modern furniture in a way that more ornate Persian rugs sometimes do not.