Tabrīz rugs and carpets are named for their place of origin — the northwestern Iranian city of Tabrīz (or Tabriz). To collectors of antique and vintage Persian carpets and rugs, it is one of history’s best-known hubs for textiles and other handicrafts. Tabriz is among the most populous cities in Iran and home to a rich tradition of hand-knotted rugs. The region’s weavers and their craft flourished under the Safavid dynasty between the 12th and 16th centuries after the Safavids wrested control of the city from the Turks.
Aside from asymmetrical knots, the characteristics of antique Tabriz rugs and carpets include intricate patterns and designs woven from silk and wool. (Antique rugs are primarily woven from the latter.) Like Turkish rugs, Tabriz and other Persian rugs often reflect the region where they were made and typically feature floral and garden motifs with bold maroon, gold and red palettes. The most iconic motif found in Tabriz rugs is a central medallion that radiates outward into other star-shaped pendants and cartouches, with quarter medallions positioned on the corners, while special variations feature curling arabesque floral motifs and hunting scenes. There are rich hues of ivory, copper, terracotta and burgundy with complementing highlights of navy blue and deep green.
While weavers traditionally rely on their fingers to produce the knots in Persian rugs and carpets, local weavers in Tabriz utilize a knife with a buttonhook-like projection to increase their speed. Some of the region’s artisans have set records for weaving faster than one knot per second. These rugs feature an integration of knots that are both Persian and Turkish in origin, and have a double weft made with cotton, wool or silk and cotton warps. This unique process makes these textiles the product of one of the finest and most delicate rug-making traditions in the world.
Tabriz carpets, along with other types of Persian rugs, have experienced a contemporary revival in the past few decades and are a coveted and distinctive piece of craftsmanship in many homes and other interior spaces.
Find a collection of antique and vintage Tabriz rugs and carpets, wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Incredible Vintage Egyptian Silk Tabriz-Style Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible vintage Egyptian Tabriz patterned woven in100% silk with a beautiful central multi-lobed floral medallion woven in pink gold, indigo, crimson, and natural colored silk....
Silk
Fine Antique White Ground Tabriz Benlian Carpet with Large Scale All-Over Design
Located in Milan, IT
This stunning antique Tabriz carpet, woven in the prestigious Benlian workshop, is distinguished by an ivory background layered with a large-scale all-over pattern of multicoloured s...
Wool
Wonderful Early 20th Century Azari Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century Persian Azari rug with a large diamond medallion with a light indigo, gold, and orange lattice floral and vine pattern on a dark indigo background amid...
Wool
Outstanding Antique Tabriz Hadji Jalili Workshop Rug in Butterscotch and Teal
By Hadji Jalili
Located in Milan, IT
Very rarely can one ascribe a carpet to the near mythical Hadji Jalili workshop with a relative degree of certainty, especially as these were never signed or embellished by any sort ...
Wool
Small antique tabriz rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice early 20th century Tabriz rug with beautiful floral and a central medallion design and nice colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on wool foundation. Small uniform wear...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Garrus Bijar Rug with Strapwork Split-Leaf Arabesques
Located in Milan, IT
The Garrus district is located in the southern tip of Azerbaijan, with Bijar being its capital. The oldest examples from this area are woven on an all wool foundation, and are orname...
Wool
Fine Ivory Background Antique Tabriz Benlian Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Rugs of this type were commissioned by the Armenian-British Benlian company, which had a workshop active in Tabriz during the first half of the 20th Century specialising in weaving c...
Wool
Antique Soft Teal Green Bijar Oversize Carpet with All-Over Pattern
Located in Milan, IT
A fine antique Bijar carpet, woven on a wool foundation, distinguished by a unique teal green background and decorated by an infinite repeat of the so-called bid majnun (weeping will...
Wool
Bold Vintage Tabriz-Style Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A bold vintage Chinese Tabriz-style rug with a large central floral medallion on a crimson field of scrolling vines, leaves, and flowers, surrounded by a wide floral and vine pattern...
Wool
Antique Fine Senneh Rug with Herati Pattern
Located in Milan, IT
A fine Senneh rug characterised by a medallion and pendants pattern, this placed within an ivory cartouche layered over a blue background. The composition is completely filled by the...
Wool
Vintage Indian Tabriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic vintage Indian Tabriz rug with an all-over pattern of large-scale flowers and scrolling vines woven in crimson, light and dark indigo, teal and pink all on a cream colore...
Wool
Antique Tabriz Medallion Rug on a Soft Terracotta and Baby Blue Background
Located in Milan, IT
The revival of the Persian carpet tradition took place during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, guided principally by the Tabriz merchants, who developed what was basically...
Wool
Vintage Pakistani Tabriz-Style Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful vintage Pakistani runner woven with a Tabriz pattern containing several large medallions woven with scrolling vines and flowers woven in muted colors including brick red,...
Wool
Antique All-Over Pattern Botanical Design Tabriz Rug
Located in Milan, IT
An antique fine Tabriz rug distinguished by a light rose background embellished by a botanical all-over pattern, framed by a wide white ground border. Rugs of this type were woven in...
Wool
$3,860Sale Price|20% Off
W 58.27 in L 70.08 in
Antique Turkish Rug Antique Bergama Rug Antique Kazak Rug Collectors 1890
Located in New York, NY
Antique Turkish Bergama rug Kazak Collectors rug This is a spectacular antique Turkish Bergama rug with a bold geometric design and incredible character. A highly collectible piece ...
Wool
$620Sale Price|30% Off
W 39.38 in L 66.93 in
3.3x5.6 Ft Vintage Handmade Wool Tulu Rug from Central Turkey in Bright Colors
Located in Spring Valley, NY
A vintage hand-knotted Tulu (thick-piled) rug from Konya in Central Turkey. The rug is made of hand-spun lamb’s wool, is very soft and feels comfortable under your feet. It features ...
Wool
$530
W 42.13 in L 61.03 in
Traditional rug classic vintage wool hand knotted semi antique carpet Midcentury
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Traditional classic vintage rug wool hand knotted semi antique carpet Midcentury. Rustic design, typical village production. Design: Medaillon Pile: Wool Warp: Cotton Style: Traditi...
Wool
Caucasian Kuba Small Antique Prayer Rug
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th Century Antique Caucasian Kuba Prayer Rug Measures: 3'9'' x 4'10''.
Wool
Zabihi Collection Blue Vintage Inspired Caucasian Rug
Located in New York, NY
a late 20th Century Turkish Rug inspired by late 19th Century Caucasian Rugs Item j4884 3'11'' x 6'7''
Wool
Fantastic Antique Caucasian Sumak Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Antique Caucasian Sumak carpet or rug. An impressive antique flat-weave carpet or rug from the Caucasus, woven in the intricate "Sumak" brocading technique, with rich detai...
Wool
Seichor Kuba Rug, Early 20th Century
Located in Dublin, NH
Seichor Kuba Rug, Early 20th Century Additional information: Dimensions: 4'10" W x 8'4" L
Wool
Antique Caucasian Soumak Rug with Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74375, antique Caucasian Soumak rug with tribal style. Embodying tribal style and nomadic charm with saturated colors, this handwoven wool antique Caucasian Soumak rug is a captivati...
Wool
Antique Caucasian Kazak Rug with Compartment Design
Located in Dallas, TX
73094, antique Caucasian Kazak tribal rug with compartment design. This hand-knotted wool antique Caucasian Kazak tribal rug features a compartment design composed of four latch hook...
Wool
Antique Caucasian Rug - 19th Century Antique Caucasian Rug, Antique Rug
Located in Sultanahmet, 34
Antique Caucasian Rug 19th Century Antique Caucasian Rug Size: 142x234 cm 7,90x7,67 Ft This 19th-century Caucasian rug adds nobility to any space with its historical beauty and art...
Wool
Antique Early 20th Century Cloud Band Kazak Rug
Located in Closter, NJ
The Caucasus is the geographically-isolated mountainous region north of Persia between the Black and Caspian Seas. The diverse population of this area primarily consists of Armenians...
Wool
$3,510Sale Price|40% Off
W 56 in L 111 in
Antique Caucasian Kuba Kilim with All-Over Diamond Design in Rust & Blue Colors
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Caucasian Kuba Kilim, rug 13-0919, country of origin / type: Caucasus / Kilim, circa Early-20th Century. Measures: 4'8 x 9'3. This color...
Wool
Antique Blue and Coral Pink Senneh Rug with Medallion and Pendants
Located in Milan, IT
A fine Senneh rug characterised by a medallion and pendants pattern, this placed within an indigo blue cartouche layered over a coral pink background. The composition is completely f...
Wool
Fine Antique Ivory Senneh Rug with Herati Pattern
Located in Milan, IT
A very finely knotted antique Senneh rug characterised by a diamond-shaped medallion placed within an ivory cartouche layered over a indigo blue background. The composition is comple...
Wool
Sold
W 116.54 in L 145.67 in
9.8x12.2 Ft Signed Petag Tabriz Carpet. circa 1920. Excellent Original Condition
Located in Spring Valley, NY
A signed 'petag' Tabriz rug. Size: 9.8 x 12.2 Ft. North west Persia, circa 1920 Excellent original condition. Sturdy and as clean as a brand new rug (deep washed professionally).
Wool
Oriental Vintage Hand-Knotted Persian Rug Beige Red Green Blue
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
A hand-knotted Oriental rug in beige, green, salmon, red and blue, made in the 1960s. Pile is pure wool, warp and weft is cotton. The rug is in very good condition with vibrant color...
Wool
Vintage Indian Tabriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful late 20th century hand-knotted wool Indian rug with a Tabriz pattern containing an allover large-scale floral and scrolling vine pattern woven in light indigo, pink, crim...
Wool
Incredible Early 20th Century German Tetex Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible early 20th century German Tetex rug woven with a traditional Persian Tabriz pattern containing myriad animal including deer, lions, cows, phoen...
Wool
Vintage Tabriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful late 20th century Persian Tabriz rug with a large central diamond medallion on a field of stylized fish, and surrounded by a wide border of large-scale flower and scrolli...
Wool, Silk
Pair of Petite Tabriz Runners
Located in Chicago, IL
A cute pair of vintage hand-woven Persian Tabriz runners, each with a multi-lobed medallion with a petite floral pattern against a field of flowers, and all woven in indigo, gold, gr...
Wool
Fantastic Early 20th Century Bidjar Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic early 20th century Persian Bidjar runner with an all-over trellis floral and leaf pattern woven in rich colors like crimson, light and dark indigo, green, and pink, again...
Wool
Wonderful Vintage Silk and Wool Tabriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful vintage Persian silk and wool Tabriz rug with a large central medallion woven in myriad flowers and vines on a lavender background, and liv...
Wool, Silk
Extraordinary Early 20th Century Tabriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An extraordinary early 20th century Persian Tabriz rug with an elaborate pattern containing multiple central medallions stacked on top of one another, and each with a distinct floral...
Wool
Extraordinary Early 20th Century Bidjar Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An extraordinary early 20th century Persian Bidjar rug with an all-over trellis pattern with leaves and other flowers woven in cream, orange, and green, on a dark abrash indigo backg...
Wool