Persian Carpets on Display During Iran Trade & Tou
United Arab Emirates, December 29--Among the Iranians, the carpet business has long been a closely guarded family tradition, with fathers passing over the knowledge and skills to their sons with the hope that the latter will perfect the techniques further.
The history of Persian carpet is a very ancient one. In the earlier days, carpets were used only for covering floors and walls of tents belonging to nomadic tribesmen. The idea was to get protection from cold and damp.
"Iranian carpets are unmatched in quality. They are a manifestation of talent and creativity of the Iranian people," said Mr. Fasahat Ali Khan, Acting Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah.
"Besides, the carpet industry plays an extremely important role in Iran's economy. Given that the Iranian Trade and Tourism Week is the country's largest exhibition in the region, it is but natural that Iranian carpet manufacturers are attaching considerable importance to the event and utilising it as a platform for showcasing their wares in the region," he added.
With the passage of time, as their weaving became more and more complex, carpets became attractive and found new owners in kings and noblemen. The earliest existing Persian carpet was found during excavations of burial mounds in the Altai Mountains of Siberia in a place called Pazirik. Another rug found in the same area dates back to the first century BC.
Between the 3rd and the 7th AD during the Sassanian dynasty, Persian carpets won great acclaim. However, with the fall of the dynasty in the following centuries, the markets for such carpets experienced a decline. Several such rise and falls led to the culmination of the best carpet design techniques.
Another important development during this period was the use of gold and silver thread in carpet weaving. The distinctive identity that all Persian carpets adorn have made them the most treasured possessions in homes and offices all over the world today.
Iranian carpets, connoisseurs say, are not famous for their colours but due to their durability and weaving technique.
Persian carpets may be categorized into two main groups as far as designs are concerned - ones that have geometric design and the others with curvilinear patterns, known as floral carpets.
Carpets with geometric designs are woven by nomadic tribes with particular motifs and designs.
Now, some of Iran's top carpet weavers and exporters including the Iran Carpet Company, Safarvand Production Company, Azim Carpet House and Tavakoli Carpet are showcasing some of the finest varieties of Persian carpets at the five-day Iran Trade and Tourism Week.
The Iran Trade and Tourism Week, under the patronage of H.H. DR. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is being organised by the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran, Iran International Exhibitions Company and Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
The event, one of Iran's largest exhibitions in the region, besides representing a wide range of industries, free zones and banking services, also provides a deep insight into Iranian art, culture and tourism.
The Iran Trade and Tourism Week is open from 10 am to 1 pm for trade only and from 4.30 pm to 9 pm for trade and general public. It comes to a close on December 30, 2004.
