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Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Iranian, American

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.

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Creator: Bahram Shabahang
Modern Persian Rug in Blue and Red Wool, 9' x 12'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This contemporary Persian carpet, titled Magma, measures 8’10” x 12’6” and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Galaxy collection. It consists of a hand-knotted Persian-inspired weave and ...
Category

2010s Indian Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Gray on Grey Modern Wool Persian Carpet, 9' x 12'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
In soft and contrasting shades of gray hand-spun wool, this contemporary Persian carpet titled "Badu" measures 8’11” x 12’5” and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Dream Collection. Insp...
Category

2010s Persian Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Tribal Wool, Persian Bakhtiari Carpet, Cream, Blue, Orange, Red, 10’ x 13’
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
In warm and inviting hues of cream, soft blue, orange, red, gold, and indigo, this hand-knotted carpet features a classic Persian Bakhtiari design and belongs to the Orley Shabahang ...
Category

2010s Persian Tribal Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Qashqai Tribal Persian Rug in Indigo, Gold, Red, and Cream Wool, 4' x 6'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Orley Shabahang Qashqai carpet from the Tribal Collection measures 4’2” x 6’2” and showcases an exquisite Qashqai design in indigo, gold, red, and cream wool. Hand-knotted in pure wool, Orley Shabahang’s signature Shekarloo weave produces a soft, luxurious pile and is incredibly durable. The interior field depicts a flourishing flower garden design inspired by antique Qashqai carpets...
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Early 2000s Persian Tribal Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Orley Shabahang "Rabbit Hole" Contemporary Wool, Neutral, Persian Rug, 9' x 12'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Get lost in the beauty of this abstract wool area rug. Rabbit Hole utilizes a concentric design, created in entirely undyed wool, that pulls the viewer inwards toward the center. Pla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Persian Mid-Century Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Orley Shabahang "Rain" Contemporary Wool Persian Rug, Taupe, and Cream, 9' x 12'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Collaborative with virtually any style interior, Orley Shabahang’s Rain No.2 measures 8’11” x 11’7” and is hand-knotted in pure wool. With cascadi...
Category

2010s Persian Mid-Century Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Orley Shabahng, Hand-Knotted, Art Deco Wool Persian Carpet, Blue, Brown, 5'x 12'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Orley Shabahang “Windows” contemporary Persian rug measures 5’ x 12’2” and features an allover geometric pattern hand-knotted in soft blue and rich brown wool. From the Orley Sh...
Category

2010s Persian Art Deco Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Red, Hand-knotted Transitional and Tribal Scenic Persian Wool Rug, 4' x 6'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Orley Shabahang Transitional Persian rug measures 4’ x 6’ and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Tribal Collection. Inspired by traditional Persian Luri and Qashqai rugs, the red, i...
Category

Early 2000s Persian Tribal Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Art Deco Brown, Cream, and Red Wool Persian Rug, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Featuring harmonious shades of neutral brown, cream, and taupe wool, Poppies from the Orley Shabahang Art Deco collection consists of a hand-knotted pure wool pile, cotton warp, and ...
Category

Early 2000s Persian Art Deco Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Arts & Crafts Blue, Brown, and Cream Wool Persian Rug, 6' x 9'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Depicting a lively garden theme, this hand-knotted carpet, titled Magnolia, measures 5'11" x 9' and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Arts & Crafts collection. Magnolia's design has its...
Category

2010s Persian Arts and Crafts Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Transitional Ivory Mohtashan Kashan Wool Persian Carpet, Hand-Knotted, 9' x 12'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
With bold indigo details outlining blooming floral designs, this ivory Kashan Mohtashan carpet measures 9’ x 12’6” and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Transitional collection. Inspired by the lavish Shah Abbas Persian garden, its design depicts a flourishing flower garden, with an elaborate water fixture...
Category

Early 2000s Persian Kashan Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Minimalist Persian Carpet, Gray and Cream Wool, Orley Shabahang ‘Rain’ 8' x 10'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 8' x 10'4" Orley Shabahang signature Rain carpet showcases a refined modern design, expertly hand-knotted using traditional Persian weaving techniques. Part of the Orley Shabaha...
Category

2010s Persian Minimalist Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Hand-Knotted Modern Persian Carpet in Blue and Cream Wool, 8' x 10'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 8’ x 10’2" 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 s...
Category

2010s Persian Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Orley Shabahang "Taar" Modern Persian Rug, 9' x 12'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Orley Shabahang signature Persian carpet was created using handspun wool and organic vegetable dyes. The carpet is hand-knotted in our signature Cheshmeh weave, using wool from ...
Category

2010s Persian Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modern Animal Persian Carpet, Wool and Silk, Cream and Black, 9’ x 12’
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This modern 9' x 12' animal-themed Persian carpet from Orley Shabahang is part of our exclusive limited-series Animal Collection. Hand-knotted from luxurious silk and hand-spun wool,...
Category

2010s Persian Modern Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Minimalist and Neutral Cream and Gray Wool "Rain" Carpet 6' x 9'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Woven in our exclusive, hand-knotted, Cheshmeh weave, this neutral and minimalist cream and gray wool carpet measures 6' x 9' and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Rain Collection. Functional for everyday use, thanks to the traditional Persian weaving techniques used to craft its hand-knotted pile, Orley Shabahang continues to craft its contemporary and modern rugs with these techniques because this process continues to create the world’s finest carpets. The pattern of mingled, repeating small-scale motifs featured creates a pleasing overall design. Drawing inspiration from falling rain, this carpet depicts the familiar shapes as it falls from the sky. Up close, the detailing in this piece reads as intricate and repetitive. When placed on the floor, the design relaxes, and the rug reads more...
Category

2010s Persian Minimalist Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Hand-Knotted Art Deco Persian Rug in Cream and Brown Wool, 7' x 8'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Mimicking the impressive scale of skyscraper windows and the texture they create within the New York City skyline, this carpet entitled Windows belongs to the Orley Shabahang Archite...
Category

2010s Persian Art Deco Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Minimalist Persian Rug, Brown and Cream Wool, 8' x 10'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 8' x 10'2" Orley Shabahang signature Rain carpet features a minimalist design, expertly hand-knotted using traditional Persian weaving techniques. A standout from the Rain Colle...
Category

2010s Persian Minimalist Bahram Shabahang Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Bahram Shabahang persian rugs for sale on 1stDibs.

Bahram Shabahang persian rugs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wool and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Bahram Shabahang persian rugs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original persian rugs by Bahram Shabahang were created in the modern style in asia during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider persian rugs by Orley Shabahang, and Rug & Kilim. Prices for Bahram Shabahang persian rugs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,450 and can go as high as $31,010, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,750.

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