Zanjan Rugs

Guide To Zanjan Rugs & Carpets

History
Zanjan is a very old city. Archeological eviidence shows active salt mining in the area. salt was an important trade commodity and was trades on the socalled “Silk Route” of which Zanjan was an important stop.

Today Zanjan Province is populated by primarily Azeri Persians. These are the descendents of the primarily Shia Azeris who withdrew from the Caucasus from 1806 to 1828 in the face of the Russian victory in the Caucasus. The Qajar were both the rulers of Iran and the dominant tribe of the Caucasus in the Persian era. When they had to withdraw whole villages were transplanted into the Tabriz area, Zanjan, Qazvin, and Hamadan.

Zanjan is an old Persian city with a rich history. The edifice below is an IL-Khanid era tomb built in the 14th century.

The Soltaniyeh Dome

Rug Composition
Zanjan Rugs use the Hamadan Rug Weave

Single weft is called “Sennah Baft” or Hamadan weave. Here the wefts are rigid and the warps are sinuous. As you can see in the sketch the wefts are heavier than the warps. It is woven with symmetrical knots. Since there is only one shot of weft between each row of knots this shows every other warp which makes these rugs easy to spot.

Examples:

North West Persia second half 20th century


Zanjan Rug


Antique Zanjan

Over 140 years. Weft: cotton.


Hamadan Rug, North West Persia about 1920-30


Zanjan Carpet, North West Persia about 1920


Kurdish Corridor Carpet

Zenjan, Khamseh region, Greater Hamadan, Northwest Persia about 1920.