Kirman Antiquities

Antique and vintage Kirman rugs and carpets are named for the southern Iranian city that has been a renowned major center of high-quality carpet production since the 16th century. These furnishings are considered works of art and are celebrated for their fine craftsmanship, sumptuous colors and durability.

This type of Persian carpet is sometimes spelled Kerman, like its place of origin, the capital of the Western Asian country’s Kerman Province. Iran encompasses different cultures, languages and dialects, and its exquisite rugs reflect this diversity.

The different types of Persian carpets are named for the towns, villages and regions where they’re made. Kirman rugs, carpets, wall hangings and other textiles have long been popular with international audiences, including in the early 20th century when they were marketed as Kermanshah carpets. Compared to other Persian rugs, Kirman examples are known for being vividly colored with natural dyes and characterized by a diverse variety of patterns, ranging from arabesques embedded with floral touches and details like deer and lions to overlapping cartouches in a broad palette of rich hues.

Others feature an ornate central medallion, vase shapes, rows of shrubs or a flourishing tree of life created through an asymmetrical knotting technique so that the wool pile on cotton is “double warped.” Some of the more elaborate carpets commissioned from the Kirman workshops in the 18th and 19th centuries included large-scale naturalistic scenes based on European paintings or Gobelin tapestries.

The major workshops of Kerman informed weaving in nearby rural areas such as those created by the Afshar tribe. The international popularity of Kirman carpets, meanwhile, inspired designers across the globe, such as William Morris in England. A leading designer of the Arts and Crafts movement, Morris revived historical techniques such as printed fabrics in the furnishings he created. He owned Kirman carpets and used them as a source for his work.

Both vintage and contemporary rugs influenced by Kirman designs remain in demand for their lavish palette and distinctive patterns. In 2013, a 17th-century Kirman carpet was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for an astounding $33.8 million.

Find a range of antique Kirman rugs and carpets, wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.