About Nahavand Rugs
Nahavand, and its associated weaving towns and villages, lies in an area in the southern Hamadan region. Nehavand itself lies southwest of Malayir, south of Tuisarkan, northwest of Borujird, and west of the cluster of Malayir-associated villages of Jozan, Taimeh, and Manizan. Nehavand is typically associated with Mishin and Ushvan.
The rugs of the Nahavand region are usually single-wefted, using a Turkish knot, and often superficially resemble Malayirs, although those of Mishin are more geometrical than Malayirs. Like Malayirs, Nahavands usually have a dark blue field, although these may occasionally be red. Typically, Nahavand rugs have an “overspill” of flowers into the field, and this is often a critical feature in identification. The quality of pile and fineness of weave are better in the Nehavand, than any of the other associated villages. As with other parts of the larger Hamadan region, there are usually gradual changes in technique/fineness, design, color schemes, as well as quality of wool, between the different rug-producing communities. Nahavand is known for a special design and style of its own. The overspill of flowers into the field, as noted with Nehavand, is very distinctive, and makes these rugs very identifiable. Most of the Nahavand production is seen in large and narrow dozars, ranging from 3 square meters to 4 square meters in area. According to PRJ Ford (1989), Oriental Carpet Design, p 331, they occasionally produce wide runners and smaller carpets. Nehavands are finer than the rugs of Borujird, to the southeast, and the wool is silkier. There is a characteristic “strong twist” on the back of the knot, like the Kurds to the west of them. The colors are strong, with little use of white. And, the field is typically a dark blue in color. Nehavand rugs are interesting, attractive, and well-constructed, and remain desirable and collectable rugs.