A Gabbeh is a handmade Persian rug which were traditionally woven by Qashqai and Luri weavers in Iran. These rugs are and were simple, whimsical or modern in design, often using geometric and stylized human, animal and plant forms.
The word Gabbeh translates closely to unfinished or unclipped. Originally these rugs were woven for the weavers use with the pile left much longer than normal rugs. They were sometimes used as sleeping rugs.
Most of the recent Gabbehs are filled with colour with the weavers creativity being given free reign. There is nothing subtle or understated about them. The beauty of these rugs is their unmistakable uniqueness. I had one Gabbeh with a herd of camels, another with only a few simple trees. I remember one in particular that had wine glasses positioned right next to the humans on the rug! Some Gabbehs will have small animal figures whimsically placed throughout the field. You may see a simple rendition of the Tree of Life design, camels crossing the desert, a stylized sunset or the colours of the ocean with each rug having it's own individual qualities. A few of the more daring pieces have no design at all with only wool quality and variegation of colour dictating the design elements.
One of the most important factors influencing the beauty of any rug are the colours. Some of the most magnificent colour creations have been and are being achieved on a regular basis in the contemporary production of Persian Gabbehs. Jewel tones abound and old school dyeing techniques have been given new life.
With their simple design elements, they are perfectly suited for modern interiors. Additionally, they can be easily incorporated into most eclectic decorating schemes and work well with traditional Persian tribal rugs, if the colours are in agreement. This is not a rug recommended for a formal room. If the moods and colours are in harmony and it pleases you, that is the bottom line.
Gabbeh rugs are woven in villages of settled tribal groups, many of them descendants of Turkic speaking peoples. The most prolific producers of Gabbeh are the Qashqai, famous for their love of colour. The best Gabbehs, woven with lustrous hand-spun Persian wool come from the areas near the Zagros Mountains in Southern Iran. The creation of these rugs are most often done in the home, each one a unique and splendid presentation of the weavers' art.
Gabbeh rugs in the past were never given their due by the old school rug merchants. The dealers of yesteryear often disregarded these beautiful, simple rugs as crude and unrefined. It was only recently (within the last ten to fifteen years) that any interest was expressed for these rugs at all. Now they are much more widely recognized for their beauty and charm with a renaissance of new production which became available when the embargo on Persian rugs was lifted at the beginning of the last decade.
