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Shiraz has been known for centuries as the city of roses, which is reflected in the motifs of many of the carpets. However, the most common motif, and one by which the carpets may be identified, is the diamond-shaped lozenge by itself in the center of the carpet or repeated along the length twice or three times according to the size.
The diamond motif of the Shiraz carpets is usually in light or dark blue and the background is normally red with decorations of stylized plants and flowers. The border consists of a number of narrow bands framing a wider band, which is often decorated with motifs resembling pine, or palm leaves.
The Shiraz carpets are very soft and it is advisable that only the best are used on the floor, to protect them against wear and tear.
Among the better-known individual tribal carpets does the Qashqai, living in the uplands of the Fars area make those. In contrast to other Shiraz carpets these are harder wearing, and have a compact pile. Their colors are also faster and more varied.
The warp and weft threads of the Shiraz carpets are either wool or goat's hair, and they come in all sizes; 4 ft by 2 ft 6ins, 5 ft by 4 ft, 7 ft by 5 ft, and 10 ft by 7 ft. Square Shiraz carpets can also be found.
Nain Carpets.
Nain is a small town in the province of Isfahan, and it is situated on the edge of the desert uplands of central Iran.
Until the beginning of this century, the main craft in Nain was the weaving of costly woolen cloth. The import of textiles from the west lead to the decline of this craft, and the Nain craftsmen switched to carpet making. They were soon to gain a place among the quality carpet producers of Iran.
The decoration of Nain carpets is similar to that used for Isfahans, and many of the carpets have backgrounds decorated with an interlaced pattern of flowers and branches. There are however, fewer carpets with central medallions as in the Isfahan carpets.
Plants and animals feature in a number of the Nain carpets, and the color scheme for both background and decoration is normally, beige, ivory and white, alongside light green and azure.
The Persian Knot is used at a very high density of 300 to 600 knots to the square inch, and the carpets come in many different sizes, the most common being, 5 ft by 7 ft 6in.
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