While Turkestan has been developing a bond with Iran since the 1950s, these bonds have really deepened over the past 30 years thanks to our close relationship with local suppliers. The past few years have seen a number of trips to Iran, including one this summer, which we would like to share with you.
Our trip started in Shiraz, the two-thousand-year-old capital of the Fars region. In addition to witnessing the spectacular poly-chromatic architecture of its mosques and the hectic atmosphere of its bazaars, our trip included visits to remote valleys home to the Qashqai and Lori tribes.
The Qashqai are a nomadic tribe that share a common language and set of traditions, typified by their unique black tents which spring up in the footsteps of their grazing herds. Agriculture, livestock and the production of hand-woven carpets are the Tribe’s centuries old tradition.
The Loris, considered by many historians as the original settlers of the region, differ from the Qashqai in that they have adapted their nomadic traditions to sedentary lifestyles. While no longer nomadic, they preserve their strong historic ties with agriculture, livestock and their carpets.
Our trip also took us to the Zollanvari International Ltd. warehouses in Shiraz and Tehran, where premium quality wools are selected and dyed with natural tints. The warehouses also provide the finishing touches to the carpets produced by the Qashqai and Loris, such as thorough washing and the closing of the sews.
The collection of carpets we have brought back from our trip includes the goat-wool hand-knotted kilims (Caprinos), fine wool carpets with very powerful abstract designs (Kashkuli Graffiti) and classic ethnic kilims which for centuries have served as saddlebags to transport goods (Khoree Afschar).
