The art of Persian rug design has long been in Bahram Shabahang’s blood. Born in Iran but now based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Shabahang can trace his family history back to 16th-century Iran when an ancestor once oversaw carpet weavers in the workshop of King Tahmass Safavieh. Today, Shabahang’s Persian rugs and carpets are distinctly more modern in style, albeit produced by using ancient hand-woven techniques.
The story of Shabahang’s journey to becoming a prolific Persian rug designer begins back in 1972 in the bazaars of Isfahan, Iran. There, he met Geoffrey Orley, an American who was searching for “the world’s greatest carpets.” As Orley told Detroit Design magazine: “Somebody with a big Afro showed me a great carpet. He took me back to his home, and that was [Bahram] Shabahang.”
Having discovered that they shared an affinity for the distinctive artistry behind Persian rugs, Shabahang and Orley became lifelong friends and forged a business partnership, forming the rug and carpet company Orley Shabahang in 1973. At first, they focused mainly on importing and restoring antique Persian carpets, but by 2000, Shabahang wanted to create his own collection of modern and unique rug designs.
With the support of Orley, Shabahang designed several collections of new “Persian revival” carpets. Shabahang, who holds master's degrees in architecture and urban planning, relied on his drafting skills to create the Maps series of rugs, which featured maps of San Francisco, Rome, South America and Washington, D.C. Additional works include the Architecture collection and Persian, Indian and Caucasian rugs with minimalist, abstract and animal designs.
Shabahang’s rugs have been shown at galleries and exhibitions worldwide, including the 30th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York in 2018. Publications such as Vogue, Town & Country and Architectural Digest have also featured his works.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Bahram Shabahang rugs and carpets and folk art.
$16,300Sale Price|20% Off
Bold Blue Art Deco Hand-Knotted Rug, Orley Shabahang, 10' x 14'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Let this 10' x 14' bold and blue Art Deco Rug from Orley Shabahang, titled "Labyrinth" capture your attention. Clean and structured, this heirloom-quality piece offers a bold look. W...
Wool
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Modern Cream and Gray Hand-Knotted Rug, Architectural Design, 2' x 3'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
The cream and gray "Rain" rug by Orley Shabahang, sized at 2' x 3', showcases a modern architectural design that captures the essence of detailed craftsmanship. The intricate gray pa...
Wool
$18,300Sale Price|25% Off
Modern Hand-Knotted Rug in Blue and Red Wool, 9' x 12'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary carpet, titled Magma, measures 8’10” x 12’6” and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Galaxy collection. It consists of a hand-knotted pile and an organically dyed color ...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Regal Art Deco Wool Rug in Ivory, Blue, Green, and Gold, 2x3
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated 2' x 3' hand-knotted wool rug featuring an elegant Art Deco-inspired composition in ivory, deep blue, olive green, and soft gold tones. Framed by bold scrolling borde...
Wool
Organic Modern Cream and Gray Wool Area Rug, 2' x 3'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Simple and patterned, this modern cream and gray wool area rug in 2' x 3' was handknotted utilizing an entirely natural and organic process. Crafted by artisan weavers, using only th...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Wool and Silk Minimalist Abstract Lion Rug in Ivory and Black, 8x10
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A striking 8' x 10' hand-knotted wool and silk rug featuring a monumental abstract lion design rendered in an architectural linear style. Woven against a softly tonal ivory and beige...
Wool, Silk
Hand-Knotted Ivory and Black Wool & Silk Lion Rug, Tribal Minimalist Design 3x5
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A distinctive 3' x 5' hand-knotted wool and silk rug featuring a stylized lion rendered in an elegant graphic linework composition. Set against a softly textured ivory ground, the mi...
Wool, Silk
Hand-Knotted Geometric Wool Rug, Art Deco Inspired, Gray and Ivory, 4x6
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A striking 4' x 6' hand-knotted wool rug featuring a tightly structured geometric composition in a timeless gray and ivory palette. Repeating linear motifs create a rhythmic architec...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Organic Modern Wool Rug, Neutral Tan & Cream Geometric Design 9x12
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated 9' x 12' hand-knotted wool rug featuring a soft geometric composition rendered in warm neutral tones. Layered linear forms radiate inward across the field, creating a...
Wool
Blue and Ivory Hand-Knotted Abstract Wool Rug, Organic Modern River Design 3x5
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A striking 3' x 5' hand-knotted wool rug featuring an abstract organic composition inspired by flowing waterways, layered earth forms, and natural movement. Curving bands of deep blu...
Wool
9' x 12' Bakhtiari Garden Rug, Hand-Knotted in Blue, Red, and Yellow Wool
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your space with the timeless allure of this 9' x 12' Bakhtiari Garden area rug hand-woven in blue, red, and yellow wool. Handknotted by artisans, this stunning masterpiece bo...
Wool
Art Deco Wool Contemporary Rug, Cream and Natural Gray, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
With a simple yet elegant geometric design, Excelsior possesses the power to transform any space. Using the Empire State design as its foundation, Excelsior offers a simplified expre...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Tribal Revival Rug in Red and Blue Wool, 3' x 5'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Karabagh-inspired contemporary area rug in vibrant red and blue tones is part of the Orley Shabahang Tribal Revival collection and measures approximately 3’ x 5’. Like all Orley...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Art Nouveau Wool Rug, Red, Pink, and Blue, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Part of the Orley Shabahang Music Collection, this stunning hand-knotted rug in shades of red, pink, and blue measures 5'10" x 8'10" and is crafted from the finest wool with a meticu...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Modern Rug in Purple, Blue and Yellow Wool, 8' x 10'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 8' x 10' modern rug is a stunning hand-knotted piece, crafted from the finest handspun wool using traditional weaving techniques. Featuring a rich blend of purple, blue, and yel...
Wool
Modern Rug, Brown & Cream Wool, Minimalist Architectural Design, 6' x 9'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Modern rug, 6' x 9', hand-knotted in wool with a brown and cream palette and a clean geometric design. This rug features a minimalist, architectural pattern inspired by rainfall, st...
Wool
Contemporary Geometric Wool Rug in Vegetable-Dyed Terracotta, 2' x 3'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Hand-woven with hand-spun, vegetable-dyed wool, this 2' x 3' contemporary carpet offers a refined take on traditional weaving techniques while maintaining a warm, modern aesthetic. I...
Wool
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
Folk Art Tree of Life Runner, Blue, Green, and Red Wool, 2'8" x 9'9"
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 2'8" x 9'9" hand-knotted runner features a lively Tree of Life composition rendered in a rich palette of soft greens, indigo blues, warm golds, rust, and coral tones. The design...
Wool
Art Deco Geometric Carpet, Hand-Knotted Gray, Deep Brown, and Beige Wool 2′ × 3′
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
From Orley Shabahang’s Art Deco Collection, the “Empire State” rug captures the soaring geometry of New York’s skyline in textile form. This 2′ × 3′ hand-knotted carpet, crafted in o...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Green, Blue, and Gold Art Nouveau-Inspired Wool Rug, 2x3
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This hand-knotted 2' x 3' wool rug blends traditional weaving techniques with a fresh, contemporary design language. Woven with finely hand-spun wool, the carpet features a striking ...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Geometric Stripe Design, Gold & Black, 8' x 10'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 8′ × 10′ hand-knotted wool rug is woven using traditional techniques and distinguished by a finely composed geometric stripe design. The pattern is articulated through subtle sh...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Red and Gray Art Deco Wool Geometric Rug, 2' x 3'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
The hand-knotted red and gray art deco "Windows" geometric rug by Orley Shabahang, sized at 2' x 3', is a standout piece from our architectural collection. This rug features a striki...
Wool
$15,200Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Knotted Mid-Century Modern Carpet in Red, Cream, Blue, and Pink Wool, 8x10
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 8′ × 10′ hand-knotted wool rug from Orley Shabahang’s Architectural Collection offers an artful ode to mid-century design. Its undulating linear motif—composed of stacked rectan...
Wool
$18,200Sale Price|21% Off
Modern Hand-Knotted Wool Area Rug “Washington” National Mall Map Design, 9x12
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A striking fusion of art, architecture, and cartography, this modern hand-knotted wool area rug “Washington” National Mall Map design, measuring 9' x 12', reimagines the historic McMillan Plan of 1901 in luxurious textile form. From the Orley Shabahang Map Collection...
Wool
$20,385Sale Price|25% Off
Hand-Knotted Wool and Silk Rug, Contemporary Art Deco Butterfly Design, 8' x 10'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the iridescent geometry of a monarch butterfly’s wing, Monarch translates natural beauty into refined textile design. Every element—line, contrast, and shimmer—was compos...
Wool, Silk
Contemporary Wool Rug, Neutral Ivory with Blue Border, Minimalist, 5x7
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
A study in restraint, texture, and modern geometry. Measuring 5' × 7', this hand-knotted wool rug pairs a soft, neutral field with a striking architectural border, creating a refined...
Wool
Art Deco Rug, Wool and Silk, Brown, Taupe, and Cream, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Creating a relaxed and luxurious ascending design, Belgian Lace is a hand-knotted carpet originating from the Orley Shabahang Architectural collection. En...
Wool, Silk
Hand-knotted Brown and Cream Checkered Architectural Wool Rug, 3' x 4'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This hand knotted brown and cream checkered architectural wool rug, sized 3' x 4', combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design to create a timeless piece. The intricate che...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Art Deco Rug in Brown Wool and Silk, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite 6' x 9' Art Deco rug, designed by Orley Shabahang, is a luxurious blend of wool and silk, expertly hand-knotted using traditional weaving techniques. Featuring a sophi...
Silk, Wool
Hand-Knotted Art Deco Gray and Cream Empire State Wool Rug, 2' x 3'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
In natural tones of gray and cream with some brown, this 2' x 3' wool rug inspired by art deco aesthetic traditions, is titled "Empire State" and showcases the beauty of authentic ca...
Wool
Blue and Cream Wool Rug with Detailed Textured Patterns, 2' x 3'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This blue and cream wool area rug with detailed textured patterns, sized 2' x 3', offers a cool, refreshing palette that adds a serene, calming touch to any space. The rug’s design s...
Wool
Modern Blue and Cream Wool Rug with Detailed Textured Patterns, 2' x 3'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This modern blue and cream wool rug with detailed textured patterns, sized 2' x 3', brings a striking blend of subtle color and expert craftsmanship to any space. The rug’s alternati...
Wool
Abstract Blue and Gray Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, 4' x 6', Modern Design
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This abstract blue and gray hand-knotted wool rug, measuring 4' x 6', features a dynamic composition of fluid lines, circular motifs, and layered tonal movement that feels both organ...
Wool
Gray and Brown Wool Minimalist Rug with Geometric Patterns, 3' x 5'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This hand knotted gray and brown wool rug, sized 3' x 5', showcases an intricate array of geometric patterns that seamlessly blend modern design with traditional craftsmanship. The r...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Minimalist Blue and Cream "Rain" Wool Persian Carpet, 6' x 9'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Minimalist in nature, this blue and cream wool carpet, "Rain," in 6' x 9' possesses a soothing feel. The Rain Collection from Orley Shabahang draws its inspiration from the different...
Wool
Blue and Gray Modern Geometric Hand-Knotted Area Rug in Pure Wool, 8' x 10'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
In blue and gray, the 8' x 10' geometric "Excelsior" area rug in pure wool from the Orley Shabahang architectural collection creates a stunning grounding effect in this tone on tone ...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Brown and Cream Modern Architectural Area Rug, Wool, 5 x 7
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Presenting the "Rain" design from Orley Shabahang's Rain Collection, this exquisite carpet epitomizes the fusion of organic artistry and contemporary aesthetic. Crafted using the fin...
Wool