c1950s Antique Medallion Persian Birjand Rug 9.10x13.3
Located in the southern part of Khorasan province in eastern Iran, the town of BIRJAND has a civilization dating back more than 2000 years.Birjand neighbors Qaen to the north, Nahbandan to the south, Afghanistan to the east and the city of Tabas to the west. It is divided into four districts: • Khosef • Darmian • Markazi • Sarbisheh These four are comprised of 18 rural districts and 1,197 villages. At an elevation of 1,480 meters, Birjand is surrounded by the Baqran, Momenabad, Hamand and Tabasmina mountain ranges. Minabad, the highest mountain peak in Birjand, has an elevation of 2,900 meters. Birjand has an arid, desert climate and an average annual rainfall of 167 mm. Towering pines decorate the town in profuse numbers, their long underground roots making them resistant against the shortage of water. The northern part of Birjand is the most populated area, housing mostly rural immigrants. Water shortage has limited but not prevented land cultivation. The town's central part incorporates historical Birjand as well as the bazaar, banks, government departments, educational and health departments, military installations, mosques and service departments. The southern part of the town, extending to the slopes of Baqran Mountain, is mostly a residential quarter with modern educational and administrative centers. The variety of educational and scientific facilities ranks Birjand among Iran's major academic centers. The total area of Birjand is 35,337 sq. km. Its industrial sector is centered in the Birjand Industrial township, located 11 km from the town and incorporating 15 industrial units, including food processing, textile and business industries. Surface roads connect Birjand to neighboring towns and regular flights are scheduled between Birjand to Mashad and Tehran. Birjand has a population of nearly 120,000 persons who are estimated to own approximately 18,000 carpet looms. Handicrafts in the area, including Birjand's neighboring districts and villages, are divided into three groups: woven material, sewn fabrics, and earthenware. The town is also noted for its decorated earthenware and garment weaving, which are mostly centered in Khosef (Eclipse). Birjand carpets are the finest quality Persian carpets in eastern Iran. They have many characteristics similar to Qom, but the borders of Birjand rugs and carpets are more crowded with detail. Birjand carpets tend to characterize some features of a Herati, yet they bear a more elegant, European style. Frequently, these carpets feature the Reiz Mahi design which display figures similar to 'small fish' in a field of plants and flowers. This design may or may not include the Lachak and Toranj (an illuminant vision of a sun in the middle). A more traditional design that is used in the Birjand carpets would include the Rabbi Saadi design known as having plants and flowers that are encompassed with red, spiraling lines or "eslimi." In general, Birjand carpets are described as having a stylized, round, central medallion surrounded by an 'open field of small fish on a sea of beige'. They are sometimes detailed with silk and always detailed with bold borders in order to accentuate the central medallion making it appear as if it's a portrait. Birjand carpets are of the best quality amongst those carpets from eastern Iran. Reds, dark blues, and turquoises are the predominant colors, with ivories used as a contrasting color. These pieces are made of a soft wool with a thin, tight pile. The warp is mostly cotton (also known as rass in these rugs); the weft is made mostly of wool (also known as khame). Weavers in Birjand use asymmetrical Persian knots. In reference to size, these carpets vary but on average are woven in larger dimensions. These carpets are among the finest quality carpets holding true to the fact that they are substantial investments.
