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.
Bold Blue Art Deco Hand-Knotted Wool Rug by Orley Shabahang, 10' x 14'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley 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-qu...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Art Deco Rug in Brown Wool and Silk, 6' x 9', Architecture Inspired
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...
Wool, Silk
Art Deco Wool Contemporary Rug, Cream and Natural Gray, 6' x 9', Hand-Knotted
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
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
9' x 12' Bakhtiari Garden Rug, Hand-Knotted in Blue, Red, and Yellow Wool
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley 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
Modern Cream and Gray Handknotted 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
Vibrant 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
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
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 Wool and Silk Minimalist Abstract Lion Rug in Ivory and Black, 8x10
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram 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 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 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
Folk Art Tree of Life Runner, Blue, Green, and Red Wool, 2'8" x 9'9"
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram 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
Contemporary Geometric Wool Rug in Vegetable-Dyed Terracotta, 2' x 3'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram 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
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 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
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 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
Contemporary Wool Rug, Neutral Ivory with Blue Border, Minimalist, 5x7
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley 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
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
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
Blue and Gray Modern Geometric Hand-Knotted Area Rug in Pure Wool, 8' x 10'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley 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
W 48.04 in L 72.05 in
Hand-Knotted Rug in Petag Tabriz antique design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
A beautiful contemporary rug showing a design of the PETAG company. PETAG - Persische Teppich Aktien Gesellschaft - was a german company that was found in 1911 in Berlin / Germany. P...
Wool
W 96.07 in L 120.08 in
Heriz Rug Hand Knotted Low Wool Pile Vintage Look Djoharian Collection
By djoharian-design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Beautiful Heriz rug from India - Djoharian Collection Heriz rugs and carpets are mainly made of fine, hand-spun wool, This rug was made with a decorative traditional design. The s...
Wool
W 50 in L 74 in
Contemporary Botanical Art Deco Hand-Knotted Wool Rug 4x6
Located in Norwalk, CT
This stunning 4x6 area rug merges Mid-Century Modern minimalism with Art Deco flair. Featuring a sophisticated botanical motif, the design showcases stylized leaves and abstract orbs...
Wool
Contemporary Tiger Wool and Silk Hand-Knotted Indian Rug in Brown and Creme
Located in Plainview, NY
This contemporary tiger wool and silk Indian rug in brown, creme and black transforms this ubiquitous animal motif into couture for your floor. The hand- knotted, tiger patterned woo...
Silk, Wool
W 108.27 in L 143.31 in
9x12 Blue Turkish Oushak Hand Knotted Wool Rug ( G-13014 )
Located in agra, uttar pradesh
Indulge in the timeless elegance of our high-quality hand-knotted traditional wool rug. Rug Features: ⚫ CUSTOMIZE in any SIZE ⚫ Material- 100% Wool ⚫ Weave- Hand-knotted in India ⚫ C...
Wool
W 121 in L 169 in
Contemporary Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Gray Motif, Modern Design, India
Located in Norwalk, CT
21st century contemporary flatweave rug with an all over gray motif. This piece has fine details, great colors and a beautiful design. It would...
Wool
W 98 in L 120 in
Hand Knotted Contemporary Geometric Beige and Gray Wool Rug
By Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Originating from India, this geometric rug is hand-knotted in high-quality wool with an all-over field design blending influences from prismatic patterns and Mid-Century Modern color...
Wool
W 144 in L 294 in
Oversized 12x25 Modern Turkish Oushak Rug in Red Hand-Knotted Wool
Located in Norwalk, CT
Strikingly oversized 12x25 modern Turkish Oushak rug, hand-knotted in lustrous wool with a vivid red field and intricate geometric-floral motifs. Featuring a soft abrash and a light ...
Wool
W 129 in L 168 in
Hand-Knotted Sultanabad Wool Rug, Floral Design, 10'9\" x 14'
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful contemporary Sultanabad rug, hand knotted wool with a tan field, purple frame, ivory, gray and rust accents in all-over Classic floral design. His rug measures: 10'9" x 14...
Wool
Contemporary Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Gray Motif, Modern Design, India
Located in Norwalk, CT
21st century contemporary flat-weave rug with an all-over gray motif. This piece has Fine details, great colors, and a beautiful design. It would be the perfect addition to your home...
Wool
W 96 in L 120 in
Custom Hand-Knotted Wool Rug in Black and Gray, Modern Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
Textured wool custom rug. Custom sizes and colors made to order. Material: Hand knotted wool Lead time: Approximate 15-20 wks available Colors: As shown, other custom colors an...
Wool
W 108 in L 144 in
Modern Hand-Knotted Wool and Silk Rug, Blue Field, 9' x 12', India
Located in Norwalk, CT
Hand-knotted rug with an all-over design on a blue field. Measures: 9' x 12'.
Wool
Hand-Knotted Wool Rug with Architectural Floral Design in Gray and Orange, 4x6
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This hand-knotted 4' x 6' wool rug with architectural floral design in gray and orange transforms centuries of Persian architectural inspiration into a striking contemporary textile....
Wool
Orley Shabahang "Rain" Contemporary Persian Rug, Brown, Cream, Taupe, 8x10
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 7’8" x 9’10" Orley Shabahang signature “Rain” carpet showcases a modern design in a hand knotted Persian weave. This carpet, from the Orley Shabahang Rain collection, features a...
Wool