Lori | 303 x 197 cm | Nr. Z-2029

Mottled Lori, beige with colour gradient

Origin	Pakistan
Dimensions	303 cm x 197 cm (= 5.9691 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool (hand-spun, natural dyes) Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	120000
Pile height	10mm
Year of manufacture	2022
Colour	Beige, grey
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

 

Origin

Lori rugs are regarded as a refined version of the Gabbeh and are traditionally made by the Lurs, a people in south-western Persia (Loristan). These rugs are also known as Loribaft, with “baft” meaning “knotted”. Translated literally, Loribaft therefore means “Lur knotting”.

Historically, Lori rugs have been known for their inventive, geometric patterns and lively colours. While the modern versions are often kept in plainer, single-colour designs these days, many rugs still show traditional, stylised scenes from the life of the nomads, such as goats, camels, dogs, plants and people. Combined with the warm, friendly colours, these geometric patterns create a snug and welcoming atmosphere in any room.

Pattern

The surface of this Lori looks mottled, as the tones and shades of the pile vary from light to dark. These colour shifts, also known as abrasch, give the rug a lively, dynamic look and also make it less prone to showing dirt. The mottling comes from the Lori's hand-spun wool, which absorbs the natural colourants to differing degrees during dyeing.

The colours flow gently into one another, with the rug's main tone being a greyish beige. Beige and grey dominate overall, giving the rug a harmonious, understated presence.

Material

This hand-knotted Lori rug stands out for its dense, relatively high pile. The sheep's wool used for the pile is particularly fine and rich in lanolin, which makes the rug soft and hard-wearing. Lori rugs, much like Gabbeh rugs, were traditionally used for sleeping, but they also make a wonderfully cosy spot for sitting or relaxing in the living room. They are just as well suited to hallways and dining areas.

The wool used for this rug's pile is hand-spun and dyed with natural colours, which gives the rug a soft, pleasant surface. Hand-spun wool is always a little irregular, and that underlines the natural charm of these rugs. The shifts in colour that arise during dyeing lend the rug a livelier look. The shades run across the length of the rug and add further gradations from light to dark. This also makes the rug less prone to showing dirt.

Cotton is used for the warp and weft of the rug; it is especially tear-resistant and elastic and so gives the weave its stability.