Gabbeh | 80 x 80 cm | Nr. Z-1457

Gabbeh, dark red with border and tree of life

Origin

Gabbeh rugs are knotted by nomads living in the province of Fars, near the city of Shiraz. In Persian, Gabbeh is the name for high-pile rugs that were slept on. Classic Gabbeh have inventive, naive geometric patterns and are full of colour. Modern Gabbeh today mostly come in plain and monochrome designs. Even now, though, the rugs also carry stylised patterns from everyday nomadic life, such as goats, camels, dogs, plants or people. Gabbeh rugs usually come in natural cream, brown and grey tones, but you can also find lively yellow, red or blue.

Pattern

This Gabbeh is graced by a striking tree of life. The tree of life motif has been a much-loved design for Oriental rugs, pottery and other decorative objects for centuries. Because the symbol appears in many different cultures all over the world, its exact origin is unclear. The prevailing view is that it comes from ancient Mesopotamia. The features of the tree have changed over the centuries. The meaning attached to the tree of life still varies a little from one culture and religion to the next today. Almost everywhere, though, the tree of life is credited with sacred qualities.

In the world of yoga it is one of the outstanding spiritual symbols, rooting us to the ground and connecting us with the sky. The tree of life links all forms of life with Mother Earth and the universe.

The overall impression is dominated by dark red and dark blue.

Condition

This Gabbeh has had admirers before you. The pile is lightly worn. It was hand-knotted around 1980. We have cleaned it thoroughly and restored it with care. Despite its age, it is therefore in very good condition.

Material

Gabbehs are hand-knotted from hand-spun wool and dyed with natural colours. The hand-spun wool gives the rugs a grainy yet soft surface. Traditionally, Gabbeh rugs were used for sleeping. They invite you to sit and lounge about in the living room, but they are also excellent for hallways and dining areas.

Hand-spun wool is always a little irregular. During dyeing, the natural dyes are absorbed to differing degrees. The rug looks livelier for it, with so-called abrash, colour shifts between lighter and darker shades. These changes in the shade of the pile yarn always run across the length of the Gabbeh and make the rug forgiving of dirt. The weft and warp threads of this Gabbeh are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it especially suitable for a hard-wearing foundation.