Oriental Rugs Glossary

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Kerman Lavar

Kerman is the capital city of the province of the same name. Kerman rugs have already been mentioned by the secretary of Shah Abbas I. (1587-1629) who spoke of "rugs with gold and silber threads". There are Kerman rugs preserved to this day since the 16th century throughout each century. Since the end of the 19th century until today Kerman with its large and esteemed rug manufactories is considered to be one of the most significant carpet production centers of Iran. Kerman is probably the only larger city of Iran whose population in its majority lives of carpet production. The most famous of the ca. 30 villages around Kerman in which rugs are made is called Ravar. Merchants from Kerman have ordered specifically high quality rugs with rich figural and floral designs to be made in Ravar (Millefleurs), therefore being called Kerman Ravar (or more common "Lavar"). The Kerman Lavar rug is often described as the "King of the carpets - the carpet of Kings". The Persian knot is used making them as opposed to the more spread Turkish knot which is more often used with Persian rugs.