January 23, 2010 – 12:29 pm
The mere geographical position of this city ensured for it an importance above the average. Situated in the north-west corner of Persia it is the gateway to Turkey in the west and Caucasia in the north, well-placed as a trading centre during peacetime and a very important bastion in wartime. During the eleventh century when [...]
November 3, 2008 – 12:10 pm
Both these towns are on the main road skirting the western edge of the desert, the road from the capital, Teheran, to Kirman, the old route to India. Both started weaving carpets in the decade before the Second World War. Both produce fine rugs. Here the similarities end.
Qum is an important town in the religious [...]
November 3, 2008 – 12:08 pm
From these two towns between Tabriz and the west coast of the Caspian Sea, and their immediate surroundings, come the unmistakable types of carpets known the world over by these names. They are of coarse weave, but extremely tough, usually with centre medallion designs, very angular, in shades of rust or rusty red. These towns [...]