Sirjan rug has a fascinating story behind it as it was born in an exiled tribe by mixing various rug weaving techniques. The Afshar tribes from the northwest brought their rug weaving styles to Sirjan in the south in the middle of Kerman and Shiraz.
Later on, they developed a fusion of the northern and southern rug weaving techniques in Sirjan rug. The rug hit the shelves in the central rug bazaar of Kerman and Fars provinces. The market uses both labels of the Sirjan rug and the Afshari rug for this type.
These tribal and village rugs are among the best Persian rugs with flatweaves. The rug weavers call these rugs Shireki Pich [or simply Shireki].
The Suzani [needle-work] is another term that merchants use falsely. That is because of the similarity between these rugs and needled rugs of the northwest. Recognized as the official cultural heritage by UNESCO, Sirjan rug’s international reputation has boosted rapidly over the recent years.
Where is Sirjan?
Sirjan is the second populated city of the Kerman province in the south of Iran, embraced by the Zagros Mountains.
Sirjan is home to many non-southern people, especially Afshars, who brought these rugs into the world. This Turkic tribe was forcibly moved to this area many times. First, Safavid Kings and the second time by Nader the Great.
Technical Aspects and Structure of The Sirjan Rug
The characteristics of Sirjan rug are in the knotting method that gives a piled appearance to them. In ordinary rugs, wefts make patterns, but Sirjan rug’ wefts are invisible on the rug’s surface.
The primary raw materials are Kork or Kerman wool. It is a fine and thin but not fragile hair sheared off a breed of goat native to Kerman. Shearing must happen in spring, and just the soft fur of inner layers (under necks) are gathered as kork.
In the recent two decades, a kind of rug became popular in Sirjan called Shireki rug, a combination of piled and flatweave. The whole structure of these rugs is the same as its Sirjan peer but with piled patterns. The result is a rug with bulging patterns that has a special touch under the feet.
Dyeing and Painting of The Sirjan Rug
Living in Kerman province made Turkic tribes familiar with the wide range of colors in city workshops of Kerman and Ravar. Using the same dyes from Kerman’s nature, nomadic rug weavers prefer deeper hues rather than pastel ones that their neighboring cities use.
Indigo, cochineal, walnut, weld, pomegranate, vine leaves, straw, henna, saffron, turmeric, poppy, cherry, and madder bring various shades of Sirjan rug’s palette.
Designs and Patterns of Sirjan Rugs
Like in every rug weaving region, Sirjan rug weavers produce the Shirekis without loom-drawing. Instead, they rely on memory and momentary impressions or simply observing their old rugs.
Although the nomadic way of life is fading among Kerman’s Afshars, they have maintained their old heritages. That includes rug patterns inspired by Azerbaijan, Caucasia, and Asia Minor rugs.
Lattice, Xeshti (framed), and striped are popular among designers. They fill them with repeating geometric patterns such as diamonds, octagons, and hexagons. Nowadays, you can also find rugs with diagonal stripes or geometric medallions.
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