At Bakhtiyar we believe that no carpet is ever a lost ruin, beyond repair. As Persian Poet Rumi once said “where there is ruin, there is hope for treasure”. Our team of highly skilled cleaners and restorers, based in our London Warehouse, carry out repairs
Read morePersian Norouz: The Definitive Guide
NOROUZ ‘New-day’ is the Persian New Year, which has been celebrated in Iran for thousands of years by everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion, or language and is deeply rooted in the rituals and traditions of the Zoroastrians.
Read moreAntique Rugs: The Ins & Outs
The wonderful world of antique Persian/Oriental rugs, an addictive journey that can last a lifetime and beyond. With the lifespan of Persian rugs only increasing as the art of restoration and conservation continues to develop there are a plethora of rugs to choose from to adorn your home.
Read moreTehran Rugs: The Definitive Guide
Tehran the long standing capital city of Persia was once home to a thriving high quality Persian rug weaving industry. Located in central Persia, Tehran stood as the home of the Shah of Iran until 1979, when he was exiled from the country.
Read moreChristmas in Iran: The Vank Cathedral
Christianity in Iran can trace its routes back to the early years of the religion, whilst it has always been a minority religion in Iran compared to the major religions of Zoroastrianism in Ancient Persia and Islam since the middle ages it has continued to be a practiced within the country.
Read moreShast Parandeh: The Definitive Guide
The inspiration to create a small capsule collection of fine ‘Ghalicheh’ size (2m x 1.40m) hand knotted pure silk Esfahan Carpets for Bakhtiyar Signature came to me whilst sitting in the traditional Persian garden of the historic Abbasi Hotel in Esfahan, a beautifully restored former 400 year old Safavid Caravansary. I was drinking Chai (tea) surrounded by beautiful floral displays, fountains and water lined avenues with singing birds flitting between the topiary and trees. I was back in my home city on one of my buying trips and at that time had no idea how this project would become such a passion of mine, taking 5 years to complete.
Read moreHeriz Rugs: The Definitive Guide
(Picture taken from Jon Thompson's Carpets From the Tents, Cottages and workshops of Asia)
Heriz is a small town situated in the North West of Iran, about 112KM northeast of Tabriz. Heriz rugs are known for their geometric designs and grandeur, but have not always been this way. Early silk Heriz carpets dating back to the 18th Century have been shown to be extremely intricate and advanced in their knotting techniques and detailing, being in design and quality very similar to Tabriz carpets.
Read moreHow to Measure Knot-Count: The Persian Way
Have you ever wondered how Persians determine the quality of a rug? For centuries, two methods passed down between generations have have been used as the definitive methods of measuring the quality of the weave of a rug. By following the steps below you can learn one of the oldest secrets of the Bazaar.
Read morePersian Rugs: The Weaving Process
Rug weaving has been a tradition long held in the homes of many families across Asia, specifically in Iran, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Turkey & China. Whilst the materials used, designs and knotting techniques are extremely varied across these regions and even within these regions, one aspect of them is always consistent. They are all hand-woven on looms for months or even years on end.
Read moreThe Oldest Pile Carpet in Existence: Digitally Reconstructed
For around 2,500 years the 'Pazyryk Carpet' was an undiscovered gem of the world, hidden from view yet preserved remarkably in the icy mountains of southern Russia.
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