The historical place of Lillian carpets in Iranian carpets

Iranian handmade carpets have been famous all over the world for a long time. In legends and stories, wherever there is talk of wealth and wealth or good taste, an Iranian carpet shines in it. But we Iranians, due to the availability of hand-woven carpets, have made less effort to get to know this important Iranian product that is the result of our culture and tradition.

Abdullah Ahrari, a member of the Iranian Scientific Carpet Association, told ISNA about carpets in the Khomeini region: “It can almost be said that carpets in the Khomeini region have a special place in most markets, especially in European countries, as well as in the central province.”

He introduced Khomein and Mahallat carpets and added: “In fact, if we want to describe carpet weaving in Markazi province, it is a pity that the names of Khomein and Mahallat cities are not used.” These two cities have been one of the most important carpet production centers in Markazi province for at least the last 100 years and have a historical background.

Ahrari stated: In Mahallat city, carpet weaving is more common in the villages of these areas. Most of the villagers weave carpets and carpet weaving is one of the ways to earn money for the people of this area. The density of carpets woven in this area is usually between 30 and 35 rows, but in recent years they have apparently been encouraged to weave rugs with higher ridges.

A member of the Iranian Carpet Scientific Association continued: “Most of these carpets are woven with Persian knots, but recently Turkish knots have also been used to weave carpets in this region.” Carpet weaving usually takes place during weaving, in other words, the weaving is connected and polishing and weaving also take place at the same time as weaving the carpet.

Khomeini’s designs and patterns are all modeled on Arak carpets

Ahrari explained: “In the past, the poles used in this area were vertical and fixed poles, but recently weavers were encouraged to use the type of battalion and weaving, which is of a combined type and is limited to the central provinces and Hamedan.” Regardless of the fact that this method of weaving belongs to Khomein city, it can be said that the designs and patterns that are woven, both in Khomein and in the neighborhoods, are influenced and modeled from Arak city, and the same designs and patterns that exist in Arak carpets and rugs. It is also woven in Khomein and Mahallat.

He added: The fame of Khomein and Mahallat carpets dates back to the years 1320 to 1330, when carpet weaving developed in these areas. The fame of Mahallat and Khomein cities is due to two special styles of carpet weaving in these areas; These areas include the village of Lillian and its dependent villages, which are inhabited by Armenians.

A member of the Iranian Carpet Scientific Association stated: Lillian and Khomein are located 65 km from Arak and the village of Lillian and the so-called subordinate villages have always been the center of unique carpet weaving known in Iran and the world as Lillian Carpet and in terms of design, raw materials. And the colors are unique.

Ahrari continued: Lillian carpets usually have Turkish knots, but new weavers also use Persian knots in weaving carpets. In the past, Lillian rugs were mostly woven in one piece, which means that they had a flat weaving method, but recently, the weaving method has shifted to two-weaving, in fact, they have turned into a loop and semi-woven style.

Regarding the patterns woven in Khomein carpets, he said: “One of the important designs of Khomein carpet weaving is the fish-dirham pattern, which includes another type of fish pattern.” We know that the role of fish is common in South Khorasan, Tabriz and most provinces and is also woven in Markazi province, including Khomein.

A member of the Iranian Carpet Scientific Association added: Another area of ​​carpet weaving that has its unique name and is known in the carpet trade in the world, is the village of “Reyhan” which is one of the famous parts of this village and has many fans. Most of the carpets in Khomein region are woven in small dimensions, ie up to 6 meters, and the weavers of this region are less inclined to weave carpets of 9 meters, 12 meters or larger dimensions.

Ahrari said: “If we want to describe the totality of carpet weaving in Markazi province, fortunately, the raw materials used for weaving carpets are more than wool, and most manufacturers use vegetable dyes.” Approximately zero to one hundred carpets are woven by carpet weavers.

Lillian rugs also have a special place in European countries

He stated: The market of these carpets, that is, the carpet of Lilian and the village of Bandarhan, is one of the old carpets that are very rare in the market and if they can be found, they are very exquisite. Manufacturers and weavers also try to produce new commercially priced carpets at a reasonable price. It can be said that these carpets have a special place in most markets, especially in European countries, as well as within the central province.

A member of the Iranian Carpet Scientific Association added: The reason why we separated Khomein and Mahallat in this discussion was to mention Lilian, who has a special place, and the audience should realize that the Lilian region has a historical place in Iranian carpets and is still famous. It is common.

Ahrari stated: In the employer system, the employer usually prepares the work materials and drawings and provides them to the weaver, which can be centralized or decentralized. That is, a weaver either works at home or goes to a workshop to work. The participatory system is also such that cooperatives such as relief committees and charitable organizations usually operate.

He continued: Another system is self-government; If we want to classify rugs, the ones that are self-produced have very little added value; Because the weaver has very little information about the design, plan and raw materials, and mainly cheap materials are used and commercial sex is done.

The best carpets are produced in the employer system

A member of the Iranian Carpet Scientific Association said: The participatory system is the same; Because in the participatory system, the exquisite material is not used as it should be, and as a result, the art product that is produced will have a small artistic load. Of course, it should be noted that the best carpets are produced in the employer system.

“Those rugs that we say are branded go ahead with the employer system,” Ahrari said. Raw materials and drawings are formed by the employer and provided to the weaver. Finally, the weaver receives his wages and has no right to move the plan or raw materials. This is how these rugs become better so-called carpets.

He explained: The carpet and rug production system in Arak, Markazi province, Khomein, Mahallat and Farahan is an employer that is gradually taking its place. In other words, the same thing that existed in these villages before.

A member of the Iranian Carpet Scientific Association added: “Before the revolution, the employer system was implemented, but after the revolution, the employer system was eliminated, thinking that the weaver would earn more if he took over the work, while this was not the case.” In the employer system, the weaver receives his wage, but unions and associations must closely monitor this.