Persian Rugs the O'Connell Notes

Abadeh Rugs: Guide to Abadeh Rugs

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Abadeh Persian Rugs

Abadeh is a market town half way between Isfahan and Shiraz on the main road. It is traditionally where the Qashqai in their north/south seasonal migration would cross the highway. Consequentially it was an important market town and one that most Qashqai were familiar with. The Pahlavi Shahs, Reza Shah and his son who was overthrown Mohammad Reza Shah feared the Qashqai since they represented a mobile armed Turkic speaking block that was not completely under the thumb of the Shah. To mitigate the risk the Pahlavi would periodically pressure the Qashqai to settle. Abadeh was an area that drew many settling Qashqai. They knew the town and besides twice a year they could see their cousins and other family who had not settled. In addition to the settling Qashqai there were also Lori and Afshari in the Abadeh area. To the left is a fine example of an old Lori Abadeh rug.

A small note on the Abadeh Rug to the right. Newer Abadeh rugs often look rather like this example except the center medallion is more of a diamond. These are called Heybatlu. This is interesting in that the Heybatlu are part of the SheshBoluki tribe of the Qashqai.

Abadeh rugs: Abadeh is a market town half way between Isfahan and Shiraz on the main road. It is traditionally where the Qashqai in their north/south seasonal migration would cross the highway. Consequentially it was an important market town and one that most Qashqai were familiar with. The Pahlavi Shahs, Reza Shah and his son who was overthrown Mohammad Reza Shah feared the Qashqai since they represented a mobile armed Turkic speaking block that was not completely under the thumb of the Shah. To mitigate the risk the Pahlavi would periodically pressure the Qashqai to settle. Abadeh was an area that drew many settling Qashqai. They knew the town and besides twice a year they could see their cousins and other family who had not settled. In addition to the settling Qashqai there were also Lori and Afshari in the Abadeh area. To the left is a fine example of an old Lori Abadeh rug.

Abadeh Rug Circa 1920 Rippon Boswell Lot 78

Once settled the tribal woman were able to weave more of the year on larger and better looms making larger and better rugs. Sides were straighter and knot counts higher. with better looms they used cotton since to the weaver it makes a better rug. From this comes the rugs that we know today as Abadeh.

Blue cotton wefts is typical in Abadeh rugs.
Abadeh Rug Circa 1920 Rippon Boswell Lot 78
Abadeh Rug by the Feili Lors Circa 1920
Abadeh Tappeto Persiano From tappetiantichi
Abadeh Tribal Rug From RugMan.com
Abadeh Kashkuli Rug From ECG

The Difference between a Shiraz rug and an Abadeh Rug

Shiraz rugs can look very similar but there are a few differences. Shiraz rugs are more likely to have a wool foundation and Abadeh rugs a cotton foundation. Shiraz rugs tend to be coarser (around 60 kpsi) while Abadeh rugs tend to be finer (over 80 kpsi). Abadeh rugs are more likely to have blue cotton wefts.

Abadeh Tappeto Persiano From tappetiantichi

When is an Abadeh rug not an Abadeh rug?

An Abadeh rug is and must be made in Iran. While surveying Abadeh rugs in the market place I noticed some deceptive advertising. One seller listed Abadeh rugs that were made of olefin. Real Abadeh rugs are never made of petroleum byproducts. Another sell listed a rug that looked like an Abadeh with this header, "Oriental Rug Persian Abadeh 6x9. Yayla Item number: 7312670206". Only in the details did they mention it was made in India. In my opinion that is a good example of deceptive advertising.