Persian Rugs the O'Connell Guide

Persian Rugs: Nain Rugs Guide

Nain has only emerged as a major weaving center in the last 50 years. Nain Rugs and carpets were at one point early in the 20th century a type of Isfahan Rugs. In Iran there are about 10,000 weaving towns and villages and the vast majority make rugs sold under the name of a few major weaving cities. Mid way through the 20th century some producers stopped copying Isfahan Rugs and started producing fine rugs with pale more subtle colors. They also used silk in the pile to highlight designs which was very successfull in the market.

4 La (charla) Nain carpet From Iran Rug Co.

Examples of Nain Carpets

Nain Rugs: Naein Rugs By Ehsan Afzalzadeh Naini Of Iran Rug Co.

Nain Rugs: Iran Rug Co. Weaving in Nain

Tudeshk of Nain Carpet

Nain Rugs: Nain carpet mid 20th c. Sotheby's lot 76

Nain Rugs: Nain floral medallion carpet Jacobsen Rugs

Nain Rugs: Nain part-silk carpet, mid 20th c. Sotheby's lot 451

Nain Rugs: Nain 625 kpsi wool w/ silk carpet Jacobsen Rugs

Nain Rugs: Nain 530 kpsi wool w/ silk rug Jacobsen Rugs

Nain Rugs: Nain 530 kpsi wool rug Jacobsen Rugs

Nain Rugs: Nain extremely fine part silk carpet Christie's Lot 36

Habibian

Grades of Nain Rugs

With Nain rugs the size of warp is used to distinguish grades. Charla is the finest, shisla in the medium grade and nola is the coarse grade. Fineness of weave is not the only factor in valuation of a Nain rug. Design, and execution of pattern are important factors as well. Certain workshops bring a premium as well but all other things being equal finer rugs bring more money than coarser rugs.

Charla is a 4 ply warp technically 2 two ply strands corded

Shisla is a 6 ply warp technically 3 two ply strands corded

Nola is a 9 ply warp technically 3 three ply strands corded