| |
Paradise Oriental Rugs, Inc. 707-823-3355 |
What is a Gabbeh?
|
Is this an incredible new designer we have yet to hear about? No, not exactly but good guess. A Gabbeh is a handmade Persian rug traditionally woven by Qashqai weavers in Iran. These rugs are simple, whimsical or modern in design, often using geometric forms. The word Gabbeh translates closely to unfinished or unclipped. Originally these rugs were woven for the weavers use with the pile left long and sometimes used as sleeping rugs. A small number of older Gabbehs were woven with un-dyed wool; the colors being ivory, beige and brown. Most of the recent Gabbehs are filled with color 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 colors 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 variegations of color dictating the design elements.
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 colors are in agreement. This is not a rug recommended for a formal room. If the moods and colors are in harmony and it pleases you, that is the bottom line. In my article, "How to Buy an Oriental Rug" I have gone into detail on the difference between a Persian Rug and an Oriental Rug. To the uninitiated, a Persian rug is strictly from Iran or the former Persian Empire, if an antique. An Indo-Gabbeh is a copy of the Persian Gabbeh woven in India. These rugs are much stiffer in body and usually have little, if any color variation, which comes from the hand-spun wool and vegetable dyes used in the Persian Gabbehs.
|
© Penny Krieger 2010, Paradise Oriental Rugs, Inc.
Home How to Buy an Oriental Rug View Oriental Rugs Testimonials Oriental Rug Articles Contact Links