Where were antique luri rugs made?

These textiles were produced by nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes residing primarily in the Luristan province and the Chahar Mahal region of western and south-west Persia. The makers moved with their flocks across these mountainous territories, incorporating local visual traditions into their everyday weaving. Because production was tied to tribal life rather than urban workshops, the designs reflect a distinct regional identity separate from major Persian city centres.

How do I care for wool pile rugs?

Regular, gentle vacuuming without a rotating power brush helps keep surface dust from settling deep into the hand-spun wool pile. Keeping the textile out of direct, harsh sunlight prevents the natural plant dyes from fading prematurely. Professional cleaning tailored to antique tribal carpets should be utilised periodically rather than standard household washing methods. This protects the structural integrity of the foundation yarns.

What is the difference between a rug and a kelleh?

A standard rug typically follows a roughly proportional rectangular layout suited to general domestic floor spaces. A kelleh represents a specific long format, being noticeably narrower than its length, designed to fit traditional room dimensions. Both forms share the same hand-spun wool materials and tribal iconography, differing solely in their spatial geometry.

Are bag faces authentic tribal pieces?

Bag faces originate as the decorative fronts of working animal sacks used for transport and storage by nomadic tribes. When the rear panels deteriorated through heavy use, the robust piled fronts were often salvaged as standalone rugs. Collectors prize these smaller formats because they concentrate the weaver's finest knotting and design work into a compact area.