Patterns

Pattern is one of the most helpful elements in narrowing down rug selection, especially after size and color. It is also a helpful element in finding the style and make of a rug. We could define pattern as the way lines are used to form shapes on a rug. In the rug industry, pattern is divided into the three categories of curvilinear, geometric, and pictorial. The following is a description of curvilinear pattern.

Curvilinear

Patterns created with smooth curving lines are called curvilinear. Curvilinear patterns can be seen in all three layouts of all-over, medallion, and one-sided. Creation of curves generally requires a higher knot density. However, a high knot density does not automatically result in a curvilinear pattern. In curvilinear rugs, the pattern is usually drawn on a squared paper knot by knot. This extremely detailed drawing is called cartoon. Then the pattern is carefully copied from the cartoon onto the rug. This technique is more commonly used in workshops. Kerman, Kashan, Esfahan, Nain and Qum styles are good representations of the curvilinear pattern.

Geometric

Patterns created with straight lines are called geometric. Their designs are created mostly with right angles, diagonals, triangles, and other geometric shapes. Geometric patterns can be seen in all three layouts of all-over, medallion, and one sided. With some exceptions, geometric rugs are predominantly woven by nomadic tribes and village groups. The ones woven by nomads tend to be simple and the ones woven by villagers or workshops can have either simple or very complex motifs such as geometric rugs of Heriz (Persian) style, which are very intricate. Baluchi, Turkoman, Turkish and Caucasian styles are good representations of the geometric pattern.

Pictorial

Pictorial rugs portray people and/or animals and are usually based on history and mythology. The naturalistic and realistic depiction of people and animals is not very common in the East; therefore, pictorial rugs are a special and less common pattern. Sometimes they consist of one or more figures (usually famous), and sometimes they depict a famous historical event.