Notes on Lori Gabbeh Persian Rugs

A good Lori gabbeh, Fars, C. 1900

Gabbeh are coarse long pile rugs. They are often used as sleeping rugs. Since the rugs were made for their own use rather than as commercial weaving the designs are less influenced by commercial factors.

Some Gabbehs are made with undyed wool. As we see in Lori gabbeh, Fars, Nat. Color C. 1920 to the right browns and tans tend to be the typical color in these very untypical rugs.

Lori gabbeh, Fars, Nat. Color C. 1920

Lori gabbeh, Fars, C. 1920-40

Much like a Kazak Rug there can be a number of rows of wefts between each row of knots. See how we see a great deal of white in the brown area in the Lori gabbeh, Fars, C. 1920-40 to the left. It is most notable in the brown area since the brown dyes tend to make the wool brittle and subject to wear. The long pile wears away showing the broad areas of weft underneath.

A good Lori gabbeh, Fars, C. 1900

Lori Gabbeh 3rd quarter 19th c. Galerie M. Tehrani

Lori Long Gabbeh Rug 3rd quarter 19th c. Galerie M. Tehrani

A number of similarities stand out in looking at these rugs. The reciprocal saw-tooth border is one that Charlie Ellis called a rats tooth border. We see it in five of these six gabbehs. we also see the stripped border in three of the six gabbehs.