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ITA is proud to present this special page on Iranian Carpets. Provided for your review are three recent articles on the Iranian carpet industry, along with several links to Iranian carpet exporters. For more information on importing Iranian carpets per the new US Iranian Transactions Regulations (pending) from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, please join ITA today!

The Carpet industry in Iran
Qali Iran [Iran Carpet; Cultural, Economic & Social Magazine (Monthly)
Oct. 1998, No. 4

Summary: The Average share of the European Union in the export of Iranian hand-woven carpets in the 1988-1994 period was around 65 percent. The total export of carpets to Europe by Iran has increased seven folds in the said period. In 1988, of 306 million dollars worth of carpets imported by Europe, 208 million dollars belonged to Persian carpets. In 1994, Europe imported 2,080 million dollars worth of carpets, 62 percent of which were Persian carpets. Iran had the highest share in European carpet imports in 1990 with 70 percent while its lowest share with 62 percent was related to the years of 1994 and 1996.

POSITION OF PERSIAN CARPET IN EUROPE

In order to study the position of Persian carpet in European markets, some points should be taken into consideration because at present Europe absorbs 65 percent of carpets being exported by Iran. For this reason, it is of vital importance for Iran to maintain its share in this market. As proven in previous years, to limit Iranian carpet exports to Europe or failing to pay due attention to this market entails grave consequences.

1- As shown in the following table, among European countries Germany has had the lion's share in the
import of Persian carpets, followed by Italy, Britain and France each with 10 percent of the total
imports.

2- Of the total imports of Persian carpets to Europe, the majority of European countries had a meager share of 10 percent, indicating the lack of direct contact between the traders of these countries and Iran. The trend of exports from 1988 to 1994 shows that the import figures in such countries as Italy, France, Spain and Belgium has had a tangible growth with the passage of time. The reason for this should be searched in the export services methods inside the country. Italy's imports of Persian carpets in 1988 was 10 percent of that of Germany in the same year but the figure rose to 40 percent in 1994.

3- Germany, because of rendering wholesale services for carpets in its Hamburg and Frankfurt ports,
hosting big carpet companies which render services to large chain stores all over Europe and holding
major international carpet exhibitions such as "Demotex", exports a large portion of its imported carpets to other European countries. Therefore, a small part of carpets being imported by Germany from Iran remain in that country for domestic consumption.

4- Despite the long record of carpet exports to Europe by Iran which dates back to the time of the
Safavid dynasty and Europe's recognition of Persian carpet as an artistic and luxurious item, the export of carpets to the European continent by Iran's rival countries (China, India, Turkey and Pakistan) has grown over the past 20 years and therefore this point should be taken into account that despite an increase in the export of Persian carpets to Europe, other producers have substantially increased their exports to Europe as well.

5- Due to the strong dependence of Iran on Europe for export of its hand-woven carpets & its lack of attention to the market of other continents, any changes in the political and economic affairs in European countries (particularly Germany, France and Italy) can greatly affect the trend of Iran's carpet exports. For example, the stagnation in Iranian carpet exports to Europe over the past two years can be attributed to the economic recession gripping the European market. So, not only this dependence cannot be regarded as an advantage, it has also kept Iran away from market in other countries of the world. To this end, reference can be made to the export of carpets by India and China to the American continent and Africa.

6- Currently, the wholesale of Persian carpets in Europe (particularly in Germany) is carried out in traditional methods which is not ideal to large chain stores. Therefore they rely more on Indian and Chinese rugs. Though the main reason for this lies in the system of production in Iran, the storage methods in such regions as Hamburg port cab also be blamed.

7- Despite the fact that the majority of carpet dealers in Europe are Iranian, in many cases, the same
dealers have helped improve the market of other countries' carpets to make profits and maintain their
share in markets. The main problem of these traders is their lack of a certain establishment for advertising their carpets on a large scale and their efforts to market their goods individually. In the event of close competition with their rivals, they have sometimes to take unfair measures.

The closed trade practices of these traders have played a key role in the lower demands for Persian
carpets on international markets than for carpets of other countries. However, they cannot be blamed for not being committed to their colleagues or wanting to maintain their individual profits. Therefore, it is the duty of Iranian carpet policy makers to take serious measures to employ modern marketing methods and replace the current closed trade system with a better trade system.

8- Although the table of Iranian carpet exports to Europe from 1988 to 1994 shows a six fold increase, total exports of carpets from Iran to Europe have practically increased seven folds. In other words, in 1988, of 306 million dollars worth of carpets imported by Europe, 208 million dollars or 68 percent belonged to Iran. The figure on European carpet import in 1994 which was a good year for Persian carpets reached 2,080 million dollars of which 62 percent belonged to Iran. This shows that Iranian carpet exports have dropped compared to that of other countries. This also reveals that Iran has not only a meager share in markets of the American continent and Far East but also its share in European markets has declined compared to the past. The reason for this decline should be searched in carpet marketing system practiced inside the country.

Gelim, An Embodiment of Iranian Taste and Art
Namey-e Otaq Bazargani [Letter of Chamber of Commerce];
Journal of Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines of Iran
22 Jun. - 22 Jul. 1998, No. 4
By: Sheida Nourizadeh

Summary: The oldest gelim or rough hand woven floor mat in Iran belongs to the Parthian Period. Of
important models one may refer to the Verni Gelim in Azarbaijan, Gelimcheh (small gelim) of Bijar and Sanandaj, Baluch gelim, Shiriki Pich which resembles carpet in shape and knots, Pelas in central regions, Masnad in Namin district of Ardabil and Ziloo around Tehran. The harmony of color and pattern is a standard to determine the value of a gelim and it wholly depends on the mentality of the weaver.

Text: Gelim is the first man-made floor mat. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a gelim east of Anatolia island which dates back to 7,700 years ago. Of course since the raw material is vulnerable to damage, few specimens of such hand woven material have survived, but it is believed that the oldest gelim belonged to the Parthian period in Iran.

Presently the majority of gelim weavers are nomadic women who are mostly settled at Dasht-e Moghan, Ahar, Arasbaran and Meshkin Shahr. Moreover all the villagers in the country and particularly peasants in East and West Azarbaijan, Bakhtaran, Kurdestan, Kerman, Kohkiluyeh- Boyerahmad provinces are engaged in that trade and villages surrounding Khoy, Boukan, Mahabad, Takab, Miandoab, Oshnavieh, Sardasht, Namein, Ardabil, Tabriz, Harsin and Firouzab are important gelim weaving centers in the country.

Except floor covering, the gelim is used as a floor mat in tents and fabrication of bags, saddlebags
(satchels), folding bed-clothes, horse-cloth and adornment of the walls in tents.

GELIM WEAVING EQUIPMENT

Gelim weaving looms are mostly erected vertically on the ground and its warp resembles that of carpets. The warps are normally made of white cotton and the woofs are woolen and colorful. Different images with colorful woofs are used on gelims and one can often identify the locality of the gelim from the motifs and knots used on the mat.

VERNI, A UNIQUE WORK OF AZARBAIJAN

Verni is a carpet-like gelim with delicate and fine warp and woof which is woven without a previous
sketch thanks to the creative talents of nomadic women and girls in Dasht-e Moghan, Ahar surroundings, Arasbaran and Meshkinshahr. However, the Alsoon (Shahsavan) tribes-women are exclusive producers of that gelim. Before being used in Dasht-e Moghan, Karabakh in Azerbaijan Republic was the birthplace of Verni gelim. Nowadays nomadic women and girls in Dasht-e Moghan are using red, dark blue, cream, white, light blue and a combination of pink and purple colors in the gelim. Verni weavers are employing the image of birds and animals in simple geometrical shapes imitating the earthenware patterns that were popular in prehistoric times.

Gelimcheh (smaller gelim) is another product which is normally woven in Bijar and villages surrounding Sanandaj. The raw material is the same which is used in gelim. The only difference between gelim and gelimcheh is that gelimcheh is smaller in size and has diversity of colors and patterns. The gelims in the region mostly bear floral (mostly roses) and corner medallion motifs.
Baluch Gelim is a stripped mat and carries darker color. Each stripe in the Baluch Gelim is a geometric form and differs with other stripes on the mat. Gelims woven in Kurdestan which employ vase and floral motifs including roses, three medallion, Vakili, tea and strawberry flowers, Mirza Ali flower and bracelet hold special status. Qashqayi gelims mostly carry bright colors found in nature, with different geometrical patterns.

SHIRIKI PICH AND ITS WEAVING

Shiriki Pich is another model of gelim whose name is chosen by the nomadic and village weavers. From distance it resembles a carpet and its images are produced by knots. The woof is the result of connection of all the strings on the mat in a manner that it is not visible at all like that of a carpet. The weaving of this type of gelim is difficult and time-consuming, like the weaving of a carpet. From distant past the gelim has been produced as a traditional rite for private or tribal use and is never meant for trade.

The weavers of Shiriki Pitch are even more skilled than carpet weavers and its patterns and motifs are
diversified and rich. The Rayeen and Afshar patterns are different in form, although the general plan is the same and the majority of patterns are used by both these tribes.

The colors used in Shiriki Pitch are normally dark. Boteh Jeqeh with two flowers in the middle is a
famous pattern used in the Shiriki Pich. The margin is often made of repeated geometrical forms confined in two parallel lines. This is known as circular margin. The center ground flower bears Kashmiri image. Shiriki Pitch with central medallion is rare. Other floral motifs include Khara, Gole Abbasi and Kermani.

Vakili is another type of margin painted in red with parallel lines known as Abdoozi. This makes the
Shiriki Pich images more bold. The Shiriki Pich loom is similar to other gelim looms and the knots are of two types. This type of gelim is popular in Kerman province and specially among the tribes, as well as part of Hormozgan province. In other regions such as Yazd a special mat known as Pelas is used which resembles the gelim. The small gelims used in Namin village in Ardabil are called Masnad and they have many fans within and outside the country. Ziloo is another division of the gelim which is apparently much coarse in texture and mostly used in summers in villages surrounding Tehran, Saveh and Kashan.
RAW MATERIAL AND DYING

Gelim weavers are using silk thread, cotton thread and colorful material mostly derived from the wools shorn from their livestock. In the past they used colorful herbs such as oak bark, pomegranate, onion, hazelnut and madder roots to paint the gelim. These dyes are not as shiny as chemical paints. However, presently many regions are using chemical dyes which has lowered the quality of nomadic and village gelims.

Nearly in none of the rural areas the work is divided and normally the weaver herself washes the wool, spins the thread, and does the weaving. In urban regions horizontal looms and in rural areas vertical loom is employed. The weavers are using a special instrument known as Dafleh or Dafnin in order to strengthen the fibers and the warp and woof.

Besides gelim and gelimcheh some weavers employ the raw material for gelim to fabricate saddlebags, satchels, covers for cushions, laces for tents and horse-cloth. Some of these handicrafts are used in daily life and some are employed to adorn the house.

STANDARDS FOR DIFFERENT GELIMS

Despite diversity of size, color and patterns, the Iranian hand woven gelims employ special techniques
which improve the quality of the works. These techniques are as follows:

1. The fibers in the gelim must be hundred percent wool, new and well washed or such wools be used
that have been properly shorn from the skin.

2. The diameter of the fiber must be between 30 to 50 microns and the maximum fat content should not exceed 1.5 percent.

3. The gelim must be disinfected by chemical agents which kills the moth and this should be indicated on the gelim by a special sticker to inform the buyer.

4. The pile number in the single layer gelims should be 3 to 5 m. Moreover, in order to strengthen the
gelim further its web should be of two layer thread.

5. The average length of fibers in the gelim must not be less than 7 cm. The pile used should contain a
minimum of 20 layers in each centimeter of space.

METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION OF QUALITY OF GELIM
Contrary to the carpet whose identification has become a technique and ordinary people are aware of the technique, gelim connoisseurs have little background or correct standards to identify the good and bad quality of the mat. The following information can help a buyer to identify the quality of gelims:

1. Stable and durable color is an important matter in a good gelim, because a good dye helps the gelim to endure light and repeated washing. Those gelims whose raw pile have not been properly dyed and washed again easily lose their color. To see whether the dye is good or bad one can easily rub the gelim with a wet white cloth.

2. Gelims which possess more woofs are naturally superior in quality. In order to understand the density of the woofs it is enough to pull part of the gelim by two hands when you want to select it. Gelims possessing more woofs are resisting to pulling whereas gelims with fewer woofs easily disintegrate. Another point is that if no woolen thread is used in the warp, it is normally replaced by white cotton thread, and if the gelim is densely woven these strings are shown like white spots on the gelim.

3. A light gelim is another indication of superior quality. In other words the lighter the gelim the more
superior its quality is because in a light gelim more delicate warp and woof is employed.

4. Contrary to the carpet in which harmony in dye, design and similarity of patterns is a value, in a gelim harmony in color and design is not considered a value because the carpet is woven by a pre-designed sketch whereas the patterns in a gelim are the inventions of the weaver's mind and each weaver leaves a different psychological impression on the mat. Thus we can see a weaver of gelim using a single pattern in different places on the gelim with different colors and different dimensions. This is a genuine characteristic and art of a special tribe and nation. It not only does not reduce the physical value of the gelim but adds to its spiritual grace as well.

JAJIM, A MANIFESTATION OF NOMADIC WOMEN'S ART

Jajim is popular in many villages and nomadic tribal regions. The only difference between various Jajims is their color and delicacy of thread and patterns. The most important element in a weaver of Jajim is her patience and ability. After procuring the needed thread and different dyes the Jajim is woven. The majority of Jajims are woven in an open space (such as streets or a workshops in a village). This is called the stretching of the Jajim. Special and delicate designs and patterns such as Joulma, Sirga, bricks, almond or the bezel of the ring are used in the Jajim.

Since the majority of the inhabitants of Khalkhal city, Khoresh Rostam district and their surrounding
villages are skilled weavers of Jajim, the Jajim woven in these regions is famous. Givi Zavieh, Nimhil,
Nassaz, Barandaq, Jafarabad, Sajhrud and Chenar Liq are famous villages where Jajim is woven.

The Status of Carpet in Iran's Economy
Barresihaye Bazargani [Commercial Review];
The Institute for Commercial Studies & Research Magazine (Monthly)
Aug. 1997, No. 120

Summary: The oldest floor covering woven by man named Pazyrik is attributed to Iran. Carpet weaving in Iran dates back to 25 centuries ago. One third of Iran's non-oil earnings come from export of carpet to world markets. Persian carpet plays an spectacular role in Iran's exports. Experts believe that carpet weaving has a 80% value added while the foreign exchange needed to supply the necessary substances is less than 10% of the total production expenses.

Carpet is of importance from various dimensions in Iran's economy. The significance of carpet is worth reviewing from various dimensions including genuineness and culture, job creation, production growth and increase in the value of non-oil exports.

A. Carpet, matrix of national culture

Historical evidences indicate that weaving a floor covering named carpet started in Iran and among
various Iranian tribes 25 centuries ago. Iran is the origin of carpet and the oldest discovered carpet
named Pazyrik is attributed to Iranians.

In weaving carpets, Iranians attached importance to dying and motifs making beautiful floor coverings
inspired by their surrounding nature. The genuineness of Persian carpet which demonstrates the identity of Iranian art and culture spreads all over the world and in many remote areas the word Iran is associated with carpet.

Beautiful motifs, genuine designs and pleasant dying of Persian carpets are the prominent features of this Iranian art. Thus carpet is regarded vector of national culture. Therefore, carpet plays an important role in the social and cultural life of Islamic Iran.

B. Carpet and Increase in Production

Economic growth stems from an increase in Domestic Gross Product (GDP) within a financial period and national production is a combination of value added in production of various kinds of goods and services.

Since carpet has a tremendous value added and its production requires the least foreign exchange, while it is a source of foreign exchange income, it has great importance in the collection of national production. Based on the assessment of experts, the value added of carpet production is over 80% and few commodities are possibly produced with such a high value added.

In producing carpet, the least foreign exchange costs are imposed on the country's economy for
providing the needed primary materials. Some experts believe the foreign exchange needed for supply of the primary materials needed for weaving carpet is less than 10% of the total costs.

However, the role of carpet exports in the total non-oil exports is very high. Usually more than 30% of the value of the non-oil exports are gained through exporting carpets.

Until 1373 (1994-1995), carpet exports contributed more than one third (33%) of the total non-oil exports of the country. Thus, it supplied a considerable portion of the foreign exchange revenues gained from non-oil exports.

Due to the relative stagnation of the traditional markets of Persian carpet and adoption of new policies by the Market Regulating Headquarters, export of Persian carpet was in stagnant during the past two years so that its share reduced to less than 20% of the total non-oil exports. But this drop does not mean elimination of carpet's capability to absorb foreign exchange revenues gained from non-oil exports. Experts are of the view that restricting policies would lead to reduction of Persian carpet exports to world markets and losing of Iran's 50% share in the markets.

Experts believe that suitable grounds have been prepared for expansion of marketing activities and
exporting through policies adopted in the budget bill of 1376 (1997-1998). If the regulation on transfer of foreign exchange gained from carpet exports to importers, is announced and implemented then carpet exports will become brisk once again and find its status in the non-oil export.

Since one third of the foreign exchange revenues gained from non-oil exports are obtained through
export of carpet to international markets, carpet, on the whole, plays a great role in Iranian exports.

C. Generating jobs
Carpet is among the handicrafts which create jobs for a great number of people, villagers in particular.
Almost ten million people are active in various stages of carpet production including procurement of
primary materials of carpet including sheep shearing, wool washing, spinning, dying, producing looms and other needed tools and weaving the carpet which demonstrates the artistic activities of the designer and carpet weaver and sale of carpet at domestic and foreign markets. In this way, about one third of the active manpower of the country find jobs through weaving carpet and make their livings through an artistic and productive move.

Since a considerable number of people are involved in carpet production and trade, carpet plays a
specific role in the national economy for creating jobs.

According to estimates, about 50 million rials must be invested to create job opportunities in Iran while to create a job opportunity in carpet production about 10% of this investment is needed. With respect to the young age of the Iranian population and unemployment of over 10% of the active population, booting investment, carpet production and trade are of great importance due to creation of jobs for the youth, rural youth in particular.

For this reason, the government has tried to support carpet production and weaving of carpets of
suitable quality in order to export them to the world market through expanding carpet weaving training
courses in villages, supplying primary materials and purchasing carpets woven by villages (via carpet
union of the Construction Jihad).

Although restricting regulations on export of non-oil commodities including hand-made carpets cause the carpet share to reduce in the total non-oil exports but it is expected that through measures taken, carpet weaving would flourish again and demand for carpet weaving increase in various corners of Iran. In this way, the government will be able to support 10 million people who make their living through side activities and production of carpet.

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Copyright © 1997-1998 Iranian Trade Association. All rights reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.