About Zanjan Rugs
Zanjan, meaning “dear woman” or “the spirit of woman”, is a Hamadan market town at the northern boundary of the Hamadan region, between Tehran and Tabriz. It is at this small town, that three different carpet-making styles meet: the Azerbaijan (course, double-wefted), the Bijar (fine, double-wefted), and those of the northern Hamadan region (course to medium, single-wefted). The name Zanjan is used to describe some of the products of each of these types. The Hamadan-style, especially older pieces, often have attractive colors, using light blue, some orange, black (rather than navy blue), and a brownish-red (not common in other parts of the Hamadan region). These often use geometric designs, herati motifs, and a medallion within the main medallion. Newer pieces tend to be course, thinner, and the colors less attractive. The fine, double-wefted rugs, represent Qoltuq and Bidgeneh, often confused with Bijars, and made in the area between Bijar and Zanjan. These typically are weaker than Bijars in terms of construction and design. The better ones can pass for a decent Bijar, but the less accomplished ones may simply look like “bad Bijars”. But even the better made of these sell for less than the typical Bijar, of equivalent quality of design and construction. There remain some Zanjan rugs that are attractive and well-made, and which can sell for high prices.
