Lori Rugs & Gabbeh Rugs

Lori rugs & Gabbeh rugs at a glance

• Origin: Southern Iran (Fars province, Zagros Mountains); the nomadic Lori and Qashqai tribes; newer pieces also from Pakistan and India
• Material: hand-spun new wool, often dyed with plant dyes; warp of wool or cotton
• Pile: high and dense, and therefore soft and warm
• Pattern: pared back: single- or multi-coloured fields, stripes, small animal and human figures
• Interior style: suits Scandinavian, modern and minimalist interiors
• Price: small Lori from approx. 350 €, large Gabbeh in the low four figures

What is the difference between Gabbeh and Lori?

Both come from the same region and the same tradition. Gabbeh (Persian for “raw” or “natural”) describes the coarsely knotted, high-pile nomadic rug with just a few large blocks of colour. Lori rugs come from the Lori tribes and are usually knotted a little more finely, often with stripes or diamond patterns in natural tones. In practice the two terms are frequently used side by side – the boundaries are fluid.

Why a Gabbeh works so well in modern rooms

A Gabbeh is the opposite of the intricately patterned Persian rug: few colours, plenty of calm, a clear expanse. That is why it works with pale wood, concrete, linen and plain furniture just as well as in a colourful period flat. The hand-spun wool has slight shifts in colour (abrash) that make the rug feel alive without being restless.

The dense, high pile is warm and soft – a Gabbeh is a rug for bare feet, for sitting and for playing. It works well in the living room, the bedroom and the children's room.

Hard-wearing and easy to care for

Nomadic rugs were made for everyday life in a tent. The natural oil in new wool (lanolin) repels dirt, and stains can usually be blotted away with lukewarm water. Regular vacuuming is enough; every few years we recommend a professional hand wash.

Read more

• Classic Oriental rugs
• Berber Rugs
• Children's rugs
• Materials and dyeing
• Rug care
• Personal consultation & delivery