Soumak Shahsavan

The name Shahsavan means the King’s protector, and it refers to the nomadic tribe that guards one of Iran’s most remote and vulnerable borders with Azerbaijan, where the country borders Russia and Turkey. The tribe knots pile rugs but is most famous for its Kelims, which are made with a special technique similar to embroidery, with diagonal stitches in coloured wool. The back of these rugs always has long thread ends. The special weaving technique gives the rugs a thinner, felt-like quality. The rugs are very well suited for hanging on the wall.