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Fringe on a Tafresh
Runner
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From Nancy S.
Hi,
I am interested in purchasing a Persian carpet. The
carpet is a runner 3 x12 from Iran. It only has fringe on
one end. the dealer tells me this is because of a
religious belief ( the openness of life). I have called a
local Muslim and Iranian group in our city. Neither was
able to answer the question. I have also been searching
the net. could anyone tell me if this is true and if so
which religion.
The label says TAFRESH, made in Iran
Thank You,
Nancy S
Hello Nancy,
Does it have a small maybe 2 inch section of plain
weave with no pile where the fringe would be? If it does
is it at the bottom of the rug. You can tell this by
running your hand up and down the pile from fringe end to
no fringe end. The direction that it is smooth in points
towards bottom. If this is not clear picture petting a
cat. From head to tail it would be smooth and from tail
to head you would brush the fur up. In this case the tail
end is the bottom. I hope I make sense
Best wishes,
Barry
From: Nancy S.
Hi Barry;
Thanks for being so quick. It does have the cotton
fabric just as you describe at the bottom and it pets
just like my cats! Does this have a religious meaning? If
so, what religion and would I be a very terrible person
if we had the fringe added. I'm not sure I want to be
insulting out another's religious beliefs. The dealer
says it would cost $50.00 to $100.00.
Hi Nancy,
There is no basis in Islam that I have ever heard of to
support what your dealer tells you. However what is
practiced as Islam in the villages does not all come from
the Koran and the Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH). I
actually suspect he did not know and made up that story
but that is a bit harsh since I do not know him.
What I am sure of is that the rug is hammered on the
loom and they put the cotton skirt across the bottom to
provide a firm foundation for the weaver. I always saw it
as evidence that the rug was well made. It is most common
in Kurdish rugs from the Hamadan and Bidjar areas. If it
bothers you can have the dealer unravel it and stabilize
the ends which gives you real fringe or you can have him
put artificial fringe on. You will not offend
anyone’s religion no mater which way you handle it.
Best wishes,
Barry
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