Tribal Rugs
The best examples of Tribal rugs are very appealing and very creative. They are one-of-a-kind works of art. Unlike the other more refined types of rugs, they are woven without a graph - each piece comes out of the weaver's imagination. Tribal rugs have often been woven by nomadic sheepherding people, usually on a "primitive" loom that can be rolled up or disassembled and taken along as the weaver moves to new pastures.
The supply of these tribal rugs is very limited, especially the rugs from Iran. What you see on this site from Iran you won't see again because of the embargo on Persian rugs. We've chosen to feature Persian Balouch Soumak and Gabbeh-type rugs, even though they're unique and can't be duplicated in the way that the more profitable "programmed" rugs are, because we feel they lend a special interest and beauty to our store.
Also in this Tribal collection we show some rugs made in Nepal or Afghanistan that were done by tribal people or done in a "tribal style."
Read our complete articles on The Story of the Tribal Rugs of Iran and Tribal Rugs of Today.
Persian Soumak (4 x 5-8) (2923)
These Persian soumaks are special -- and rare. The embargo on Iranian goods a...Persian Balouch Soumak (6-8 x 9-5) (4211)
These tribal rugs from Iran are woven with handspun wool and natural dyes. Co...Persian Lori-Gabbeh (2-6 x 4) (4804)
Handwoven in Iran using undyed sheepswool combined with small touches of col...Persian Lori-Gabbeh (5-4 x 7-3) (1015)
This finely knotted rug from Iran was made with handspun wool and natural dye...Persian Lori-Gabbeh (2-9 x 11)
A Persian Gabbeh runner, handknotted of natural-dye, handspun yarn in unusua...Persian Lori-Gabbeh (2-10 x 10-2)
What a beautiful runner - and piece of art! These Persian Gabbehs have so mu...Persian Lori-Gabbeh (6-8 x 6-9)
This almost 7-foot square rug with the animals and happy motifs in the borde...