GABBEH 163*247

Gabbeh rugs are made by Gashgai and Lori nomads in the province of Fars, around Shiraz. The rugs were originally used to sleep on, so they have a higher pile for warmth. The uneven, hand-spun, lanolin-rich wool gives Gabbehs a typical grainy surface texture. Many rugs have natural cream, brown and grey tones; the red, yellow, green and blue colours are usually produced with vegetable dyes. Most Gabbehs are plain; if motifs are shown these are stylised patterns from the nomads’ everyday lives. Goats, camels, dogs, plants and people are common motifs.