Gabbeh Rugs & Carpets – Hand-knotted from Iran
Looking to buy a gabbeh rug or gabbeh carpet? Gabbehs (and their finer variants such as Khashkulis) originally come from southwestern Iran, where nomadic tribes like the Qashqai have been hand-knotting them for centuries. Hand-spun virgin wool of the highest quality, dyed with natural dyes that create beautiful warm colors. Our modern carpets are also included in this collection.
It is the nomads in the Zagros Mountains who have traditionally made these Persian gabbeh carpets for centuries. The harsher the climate for the sheep, the stronger the wool. And you will notice that. Hand-spun wool of the highest quality, dyed with purely vegetable dyes that create beautiful warm colors. They knot whatever is in their imagination.
Characteristics of a gabbeh rug
Gabbeh carpets are recognizable by their deliberately coarse knot structure and thick, compact pile: higher and softer than that of classic Persian carpets. The pile height of traditional gabbehs can reach up to about 4 centimeters, and the knot density is usually between 60,000 and 150,000 knots per square meter – deliberately low, because it is precisely this coarse knot that gives the gabbeh its characteristic, robust appearance. This high pile makes gabbeh rugs wonderfully soft and comfortable. The designs, however, are understated: simple patterns, calm solid color blocks and here and there a geometric motif or a small figure of people or animals. This simplicity, combined with intense natural colors, makes a gabbeh popular in both modern and classic interiors. Khashkuli gabbehs have a shorter pile and a higher knot density, resulting in more finely drawn patterns.
Unique patterns
Originally, nomads knotted their gabbehs for their own use in their tents – not for sale. This explains the free, personal designs: a pattern is never copied, and therefore you always have a unique carpet. These rugs are also made in Afghanistan, in their own distinctive way: short-shorn, colorful and with their own natural dyes. Whether you use the carpet as an eye-catcher or match it with other items in the interior, you are always laying a piece of unique art on the floor.
Persian gabbeh or Indian gabbeh?
In addition to the original Persian gabbeh, there are also Indian gabbeh carpets and variants from Pakistan. These are often mass-produced, with simpler wool and synthetic dyes. In our collection you will find exclusively hand-knotted gabbehs made of hand-spun wool from Iran and Afghanistan – the same authenticity you are used to from our original Persian carpets.
Maintenance of a gabbeh carpet
Gabbeh carpets are remarkably easy to maintain thanks to their robust wool structure: the strong, lanolin-rich mountain wool is naturally dirt-repellent. Regular vacuuming (without a rotating brush) is sufficient, and stains should be dabbed immediately with lukewarm water. Professional cleaning is usually only necessary after about ten years of normal use – and for this you can contact our own cleaning and restoration service, with a pick-up service throughout the Netherlands.
Where does a gabbeh fit?
Thanks to the durable wool and robust knot structure, a gabbeh rug is especially suitable for intensively used areas: the living room, the bedroom or as a runner in hallways and narrow spaces. The calm patterns combine effortlessly with beige and other soft tones, but look just as good in a distinctly colorful interior. Are you unsure about the size or color? View gabbeh rugs in one of our galleries or use the free at-home viewing service.
Frequently asked questions about gabbeh carpets
What is a gabbeh carpet?
A gabbeh is a hand-knotted Persian rug with a thick, high pile and simple, free patterns. The word gabbeh means something like "rough" or "unprocessed" in Persian – a reference to the robust, natural character of these nomad rugs.
Where does a gabbeh come from?
Originally from Iran (Zagros Mountains), hand-knotted by nomads; they are also made in Afghanistan.
Why is every gabbeh unique?
No pattern is ever copied – each piece is made from memory. Nomads originally made gabbehs for their own use, not for sale.
What is a gabbeh made of?
Made of high-quality hand-spun virgin wool, vegetable dyed. The pile is high and compact – up to about 4 cm – with a knot density of approximately 60,000 to 150,000 knots per square meter.
How do you maintain a gabbeh carpet?
Regular vacuuming without a rotating brush is sufficient; the robust wool is naturally dirt-repellent. Professional cleaning is usually only necessary after about ten years of normal use.
What is the difference between a Persian and an Indian gabbeh?
An original Persian gabbeh is hand-knotted by nomads in Iran from hand-spun wool with natural dyes; Indian gabbeh carpets are often mass-produced with simpler materials. We only sell original, hand-knotted gabbehs.