Abbas Mirza:

Abbas Mirza (1783-1833) Qajar Prince

He was a younger son of the shah, Feth Ali shah (Qajar Dynasty). He fought with Russia. In 1814 Persia was compelled to make a disadvantageous peace. Abbas was an intelligent prince, possessed some literary taste, and is noteworthy on account of the comparative simplicity of his life. He died at Mashad in 1833.
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Abrash:

Abrash rug

This refers to the hue or color change found on many older rugs, particularly those woven by nomad tribes. Abrash also is indication of traditional materials and dyeing practices. The variations in color are usually the result of inconsistent dyeing of the wool, or through the introduction of a new wool batch while weaving the carpet.
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Achaemenian:

Achaemenian First Persian Empire

A Persian dynasty that ruled Persian empire's (6th-4th BC). Perspolis(Takht-e-Jamshid) is ruins of their palaces near Shiraz in south IRAN. The historian claim there was carpets in the main palace that made of wool and gold wire.
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Afshar:

NADER SHAH AFSHAR

A group of Turkic-speaking nomads whose primary are of their living is villages around KERMAN(KIRMAN) in southeastern IRAN. The most famous person on this tribe was NADER SHAH (King Nader), the founder of Afshar dynasty, ruled from 1736 - 1747 A.D
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All-over Pattern:

All Over Pattern Varamin

This is a term used to describe the pattern of a rug whose field has no central medallion.
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Alum (Aluminum Sulfate - Al2(SO4)3.14H2O):

Turkish Knots Asymmetric

A white crystalline compound, Al2(SO4)3, used chiefly in paper making, water purification, sanitation, and tanning. Alum(Aluminum Sulfate) is widely applied as inorganic coagulant for clarification of water treatment to make clear water for industrial and drinking. ALUM also used as mordant to allow dyes absorb by wool fibers in traditional dying.
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Aniline Dye:

Aniline Molecule

A synthetic dye made from coal tar. In the early 1900's it was banned in Persia because the dyes were not colorfast.
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Antique Finish:

Antique Finish Rug Chinese Rug

A modern chemical washing procedure that produces softer tones or antiques the rug. This is most common practice for Chinese, Indian and Pakistani rugs that change the colors of the rug to make it more marketable.
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Arabesque(Eslimi):

Arabesque(Eslimi)

An ornate linear design of intertwined floral and geometrical figures.
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Ardabil Rug:

The Ardebil carpet Victoria and Albert Museum 17 by 34 feet Made (1539-1540)

The city of ARDABIL(ARDEBIL) is located at distance of 639 kilometers from TEHRAN. Ardabil is also well known for probably the most famous carpet in the world, this rug was approximately made around 1539. The original Ardabil rug was acquired by the Victoria Albert's museum in 1893 for a bargain $4000 (an outrageous price for this period). The caratouche tells us that it was made by the order of the Persian King Shah Tahmasp by a weaver named Masuod al Kashani. A second much smaller rug is to be found in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. This second rug is believed to have been used as a source of repair for the original.(More)
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Ardeshir Babakan:

Ardeshir Babakan Temple

Ardeshir Babakan, the founder of the Sasanian empire in ancient Persia. At the time where Ardeshir Babakan ascended to the power, diverse rules already had been established. Ardeshir created a powerful central authority. After its death in 241 DC, its son, Shahpour I, Ascended to the throne. In the 40 years that if had followed, 7 successors had governed Persia. In 326 DC, Shahpour II king became. In the beginning of its reign, Persia faced diverse incursions of the Arabs of Bahrain and Mesopotāmia, remaining victorious to the end.

• Ardeshir Babakan
• Shapur I
• Shapur II
• Bah- ram V
• Quoad I
• Khosrow Anoshirvan
• Khosrow Parviz
• Pourandukht
• Azarmidukht
• Yazdigard III

Art Silk:

Art Silk Rug

Short for artificial silk, it describes the use of mercerized cotton or artificial fiber that attempts to take on the appearance of silk. The fiber is very soft to the touch and is used to create the look and feel of silk without the cost. Sometimes used to deceive potential buyers. Artificial silk, normally made with mercerized cotton. It looses its sheen when used and doesn't wear well.
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Ashik:

Ashik Border

This is a diamond-shaped figure with serrated edges found primarily on Turkmen pieces and some Asian pile weaves.
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Asymmetric knots (Turkish):

Turkish Knots Asymmetric

Asymmetric knots also known as Turkish knots are generally used in northwestern,western, southwestern and some portion of northeastern IRAN(quochan). The structure of these rugs as you can see in the picture. Asymmetric knots may be open to the left or right.
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Aubusson:

Aubusson

Fine flat carpets woven in France from the 15th to 19th Centuries. They were derived from Moorish weaving with the assistance of Architects and Artists of the royal court. French design flat weave rug normally with a floral center medallion and pastel colors. Originally made in FRANCE as a pileless carpet, usually Aubussons have a floral medallion in pastel colors. The designs of these rugs have also been adapted to pile carpets and are now woven in India and China.
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Axminster:

Axminster

A type of power loom for making machine woven rugs. Very intricate designs using many colors (The Original Karastan Collection, for example) are possible on an axmin-ster loom.
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Azerbaijan:

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan comprises of three provinces: Ardebil, Western Azerbaijan, and Eastern Azerbaijan. The major cities are Tabriz, Ardebil ,Orumyeh, Ahar, Khoy.
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Bakhshaish(Bakhshayesh):

Bakhshaish rug

A small village in the Iranian Azerbaijan which is located southwest of Heriz. The area is mostly known for its late 19th century(woven 1780-1900) carpet production which includes large room size rugs with either the Herati or central medallion patterns. Rugs frequently resemble antique Herizes in design and technique.
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Bakhtiari:

Bakhtiari Rug

The Bakhtiari confederation of tribes is large and powerful, covering much of central and southwestern Iran (Persia). Small rugs and trappings are woven by migratory Bakhtiari, while large carpets of great magnificence are woven in the settled villages. The most classic pattern is the garden design of repeated squares or diamonds, each of which encloses a tree or blossom motif. Their name translates roughly as "the lucky ones". A tribe located mostly in western Iran which is known for weavings of rugs having compartments filled with brightly colored garden motifs. Rugs can be either single wefted on cotton foundation (village rugs) or double wefted on wool foundation (nomadic rugs). Other designed rugs include those with a large bold central medallion, or others with long vertical stripes filled with small botehs.(More)
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Baluch "BELOUCH":

Baluch Rug

A nomadic tribe living in Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Baluch weave many types of small rugs, animal trappings and tent furnishings. They favor deep tones of blue, dark brown, earthy red and touches of natural ivory. They are simply but sturdily made, entirely of wool,often with ends and edges reinforced by the use of goat hair. Most rugs are small, double wefted, asymmetrical and tribal in character. Designs are usually of tree of life, prayer rugs and all over patterns of various guls and botehs. (More)
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Bergama:

Bergama Rug Courtesy of Tourarium.com

Bergama is a little town in northwest part of Turkey, around eighty villages that are involve weaving Bergama rugs. Bergama rugs have been woven as wool on wool material combination while wefts are all red. Bergama usually are small and majority are square shape. Bergama are loosely woven and have thick pile. Those woven in Canakkale (Ancient city known as Troy, the city of Heroes) are slightly larger. Motifs can be divided by two main groups:

• KAZAK type
  
• Turkish type.

Bessarabian:

Bessarabian kilim Courtesy of Kashishiancarpets.com

This type of kilim originally woven in section of Romania that is now part of the Ukraine. Designs usually feature curvilinear floral patterns and are more formal, sophisticated and elaborate than those found in other areas of southeast Europe.This type of kilim originates in a part of Romania that is now part of the Ukraine. Designs usually feature curvilinear floral patterns and are more formal, sophisticated and elaborate than those found in other areas of southeast Europe.
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Bleeding (Color running):

Bleeding Color Running

The color bleeding sometimes occurs when rug is getting washed. Dyed yarn which has not been washed properly after the dyeing process may bleed or run into the surrounding areas. Bleeding can also occur to chemical dyes which are not stable or color fast. Most common color affected is the red pigment. There are some chemical treatments which can remove this bleeding.

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Bibibaff(Bakhtiari):

Bibibibaff rug

Bibibaff are are excellent example of BAKHTIARI rugs. Literally it is Grandmother's weave. In Bahktiari rugs it refers to the finest work. The implication is that it is the best work of the most experienced weaver for family use.
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Bidjar(Bijar):

Bijar rug

An important center of rug production in northwest Iran which is inhabited by a Kurdish population. Antique rugs which were woven on wool foundation had three wefts between every row of knots. This made the rugs extremely heavy, stiff and almost impossible to fold. Contemporary rugs are usually double wefted and are woven on a cotton foundation. For many decades, the Bidjar has been called the "cast-iron rug of the East". The creation of simple peasants in Kurdistan, northwestern Iran (Persia), Bidjar rugs are closely and heavily woven with a firm, dense nap. A "double-wefted" construction is common, where the weaver in her knotting pulls alternate warps into line behind the neighboring ones, so the knots are closely stacked together at an angle rather than lying loosely side by side. This style of weaving, combined with excellent, lanolin-rich wool, creates a rug of almost unbelievable durability.(More)
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Blocking:

Rug Blocking Courtesy of rugrenovating.com

The act of stretching flat and tacking down a wet rug that is wrinkled or misshapen, wetting again, then allowing the rug to dry.
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Border:

Rug Borders

The outside area that surrounds the design of a rug much like a picture frame. The frame for the field of a rug. It is generally the widest element in the framing located next to the guard bands or stripes.
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Boteh:

Boteh Pattern

A rug design named after the FARSI (Official language in IRAN) word for immature flower or palm leaf. BOTEH is a widespread pattern of Persian origin (Persian boteh = cluster of leaves).

Various interpretations including:

• Flame
• Tear drop
• Pine cone
• Pear
• Tree

Braided rug:

Braided rug

A rug made by braiding yarn around a core and shaping it into a rug. Braids can be tubular (shaped around only one core, which forms a round braid) or flat (shaped around two core yarns, which makes a flat braid).
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Bukhara(Bocara, Bokhara, Bokara):

Bokhara rug

Bokara (Bokhara) is a city in today Uzbekistan and the traditional trading center for Turkmen tribal carpets. Today, rugs called BOUKARA are generally commercial copies knotted in Pakistan and India. Turkoman rugs are also referred to as Bokhara design.

The pattern most associated with these rugs is that of rows of repeated geometric motifs, or Guls, woven on a red background. A famous central Asian city, which acted as a collection point for Turkoman tribal carpets.
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Burn Test:

Burn Test

A small tuft of fibers from a rug may be burned to test for its content. For example cotton has a vegetable smell when burned. Wool smells faintly like hair. Silk smells distinctly like human hair when burned.(More)
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Cartoon:

Rug Cartoonist

Map of design and colors drawn on paper used as a guide to weave a rug. A colored drawing on graph paper that a weaver follows to craft a rug design.
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Caucasian:

Rug Cartoonist

A generic name describing boldly colored geometric designs originating from the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia.
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Chahr Mahal:

Chahr Mahal weaver

The province of "Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari" is a high mountainous region. The province is roughly 2000 meters above the sea level located in the center of two mountain chains of the interior Zagros mountains and the province of Isfahan.

Chemical Wash:

Produces an overall luster by reacting to the dye stuffs in the design and by removing short staple yarns from the face of the rug.
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Chobi Rug:

Chobi Rug

The word "Chobi" refers to rugs and carpets that were made in Afghanistan and Pakistan (Peshawar). The meaning of word "Chobi" means something that has color like "wood". In Farsi(language in IRAN and Afghanistan) "Chob" means "Wood" and "Chobi" means color like "wood". The majority of the Chobi rugs and carpets have light brownish color. You can find different design Chobi design rugs however the majority of them have light brownish color. These rugs do not have long history in world only around 10- 13 years ago came to the US, however have high demand due to their beautiful coloration. Chobi rugs usually are chemically washed to get antique looks. The majority of Chobi rugs do not have high quality and resale value.
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Derakhti:

Derakhti Tree of Life

Derakhti (like a Tree in FARSI)(Tree of Life) is very unique design in Iran. Tree is symbol of life,wealth, health and also Heaven. This is beautiful design.
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Dhurrie:

Dhurrie India

A reversible, flat-woven rug with a loose weave and a casual feel, often brightly colored. Dhurries are usually woven in India with either cotton or wool. The design is created by interweaving colored weft threads through the warp threads.
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Directional Rug:

Any rug having a design which is intended to be viewed from one particular view point. A prayer rug or a pictorial rug are good examples of such.
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Dorokhsh:

Dorkhosh Courtesy of Persia.org

A town in northeast Dorokhsh is a town located northeast to MASHAD(Iran) noted for producing rugs with floral motifs and medallions. Older rugs have wool foundations while newer ones have cotton. The jufti knot is mostly used.
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Dozar:

Tabriz size DOZAR 6' 6" x 4' 6"(200 x 135cm)

Dozar ,a Farsi (Official Language of IRAN) word, is classical terminology to define size of rugs. A rug about 6' 6" x 4' 6"(200 x 135cm).
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Dry rot:

Dry Rot

Deterioration of the rug pile and foundation over the years when it becomes dry and brittle. Also caused by liquids or moisture remaining on a rug for an extended time causing the rug to rot. Dry rot usually occurs among antique rugs with cotton foundations. The airborne microscopic fungus will feeds on cellulose fibers. Cracking sounds or the breaking of a rug's foundation is a result of dry rot.
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Embossing:

Carving around a design or symbol to enhance the look of the rug. This process is commonly used on some Chinese and Tibet rugs.
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Endless knot:

Endless knot

A Buddhist emblem symbolizing long duration, often used with other symbols. The mark of Shrivatsa (beloved of the Goddess) adorns the breast of Vishni and represents the devotion in his heart for Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and good fortune. Overlapping without a beginning or end, it symbolizes the infinite wisdom of nature.
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Edge:

These are usually the longer sides of the rug. They may be selvaged or overcast to create a durable finish.
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Ends:

These are the shorter sides of the rug, consisting of a flat-woven area. They may be anywhere from 1 inch to 1 ft deep.
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Ersari:

Ersari Turkmen rug

A large mostly settled tribe of northwest Afghanistan along the Amu Darya valley who make both urban and tribal rugs. They are renowned for the quality of their nomadic saddles and tent gear. Recently, many Ersari have settled in Pakistan(More)
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Eastern Turkestan:

Eastern Turkestan

An area of western China in the southwestern part of Xinjiang province. Rugs from this region are sometimes referred to as Samarkand. Common sizes are 4x8 or 4x9 and popular designs include three medallions, pots with flowers and thirdly all over geometric elements throughout the field. (More)
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Elephant foot:

The Turkoman and Afghan's fat octagons, known as Filpa or elephant's foot pattern, are quartered with green or blue and orange or rose-pink sections carrying trefoil flowers or "trees." The octagons also sometimes have center filled flower groups suggestive of star forms.
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Farahan:

Farahan Rug

An area north of the city of Arak in western Iran. The region is known for finely knotted late 19th century rugs with designs such as Herati, Mina Khani or Gol Hinnai. Most rugs have cotton foundation with wefts dyed in either blue or pink. Green color is commonly used.The areas of Fereghan and Seraband produce finely knotted pieces, comparable both in style and quality to weavings from Senneh. They usually have a tight allover field pattern of tiny floral motifs, such as the Herati design. Early examples of Fereghan carpets, woven in the early and mid-19th century are characterized by a distinctive greenish-yellow color and other extremely vibrant colors. (More)
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Fars:

Fars Province (IRAN)

A large region in southwestern Iran which is famous for high quality tribal weavings. Important tribes include the Qashqai, Khamseh, Lurs and Afshar. The main city in the region is Shiraz. Most nomadic rugs from this region are woven on wool foundation and produced on horizontal village looms.
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Farsi:

Lonely Planet Farsi (Persian) Phrasebook Yavar Dehghani

Farsi(Parsi) is not only the name of the official language in Iran but also of the Republic of Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, and different dialects of this language are spoken in many regions of south and central Asia.
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Fath Ali Shah:

Fath Ali Shah (1797 - 1834) Qajar King

Founder of the Qajar dynasty. Most of his reign was spent in internal and external warfare. He managed to maintain himself against other claimants to the throne but was not so fortunate in his wars with Russia.
The Columbia Encyclopedia, Fifth Edition Copyright ?1994, 1995 Columbia University Press.
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Field:

Field rug

The largest area in a rug that is usually enclosed by borders.
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Flatweave:

Flat weave is a technique of weaving that no knots are used to weave a Textile. The warp strands are used as the foundation and the weft stands are used as both part of the foundation and in creating the patterns. The weft strands are simply passed (woven) through the warp strands. Flatweave used for Kilims, soumakhs, Dhurrie and Jajim. Basically it's a textile without a pile.
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Foundation:

The strands of warp and weft which make up the base of the rug. The knots of the pile are woven into those strands and held securely in place.
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Fringe:

Rug Fringe

The fringes are basically warps which extend from the foundation at the end of a rug. Their basic role is to hold the rug together and keep the wefts from unraveling.
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Gabbeh:

Gabbeh Lion Design

Thick, long-piled rugs produced by the tribes of Fars originally for their own use and not for the commercial market. The word Gabbeh means unclipped. Gabbeh are usually woven on horizontal looms. There are following are main Gabbehs:

• Basic
• Amalehbaft
• Kashkooli
• Luribaft Gabbeh.

Garden Carpet(Kheshti):

Bakhtiari rug Garden Flower(Kheshti)

Carpets with compartments containing floral or garden motifs. The earliest of Garden Carpet design were produced in Persia in the 16th century. KHESHTI is common word for this design in IRAN.
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Genje:

Genje rug Courtesy of Spongobongo.com

Genje, formerly Kirovabad , city (1989 pop. 278,000), in Azerbaijan, on the Gyandzha River. Ganje is famous for 19th long rugs (mostly 3ft or 4ft by 9ft or 10ft) depicting diagonal and colorful bars throughout the field. (More)
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Ghereh:

Ghereh Magazine Turin, ITALY

Ghereh means "Knot" in Farsi. It also name of Magaizine publishing in ITALY. GHEREH is a "slim, not-overloaded with advertisements, informed on current affairs, and open to outside collaboration whilst avoiding academic severity" magazine based on Taher Sabahi Editor & Publisher description. Ghreh magazine is publishing in English, German, Italian.(More)
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Ghiordes:

Ghiordes Prayer rug Courtesy of Spongobongo.com

A town in western Turkey in which many small (usually 3x5ft) prayer rugs were woven. Knot densities are between 100-200 per square inch. Typical designs depict small geometric and pointed mihrab surrounded by three or more borders. (More)
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Gorevan:

Gorevan rug

A town in northwest Iran in the vicinity of Heriz. In the trade, Gorevan is used to denote a grade of Heriz rugs which have a coarse weave with a Heriz design.(More)
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Gul:

Turkmen GUL Courtesy of Spongobongo.com

Meaning flower in Farsi. This term also refers to the octagonal or angular repetitive medallions found on Turkoman rugs.