Tabrīz rugs and carpets are named for their place of origin — the northwestern Iranian city of Tabrīz (or Tabriz). To collectors of antique and vintage Persian carpets and rugs, it is one of history’s best-known hubs for textiles and other handicrafts. Tabriz is among the most populous cities in Iran and home to a rich tradition of hand-knotted rugs. The region’s weavers and their craft flourished under the Safavid dynasty between the 12th and 16th centuries after the Safavids wrested control of the city from the Turks.
Aside from asymmetrical knots, the characteristics of antique Tabriz rugs and carpets include intricate patterns and designs woven from silk and wool. (Antique rugs are primarily woven from the latter.) Like Turkish rugs, Tabriz and other Persian rugs often reflect the region where they were made and typically feature floral and garden motifs with bold maroon, gold and red palettes. The most iconic motif found in Tabriz rugs is a central medallion that radiates outward into other star-shaped pendants and cartouches, with quarter medallions positioned on the corners, while special variations feature curling arabesque floral motifs and hunting scenes. There are rich hues of ivory, copper, terracotta and burgundy with complementing highlights of navy blue and deep green.
While weavers traditionally rely on their fingers to produce the knots in Persian rugs and carpets, local weavers in Tabriz utilize a knife with a buttonhook-like projection to increase their speed. Some of the region’s artisans have set records for weaving faster than one knot per second. These rugs feature an integration of knots that are both Persian and Turkish in origin, and have a double weft made with cotton, wool or silk and cotton warps. This unique process makes these textiles the product of one of the finest and most delicate rug-making traditions in the world.
Tabriz carpets, along with other types of Persian rugs, have experienced a contemporary revival in the past few decades and are a coveted and distinctive piece of craftsmanship in many homes and other interior spaces.
Find a collection of antique and vintage Tabriz rugs and carpets, wall decorations and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Floral Allover Ivory Beige Carpet - c. 1880
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional 19th-century Persian Tabriz rug embodies the refinement and artistry for which Tabriz weaving is celebrated. Woven in the 1870s, it showcases a delicate allover desi...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Floral Cream Beige Hand-Knotted Rug
Located in New York, NY
This antique Bakhtiari rug, dating back to the early 20th century, exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of the Persian Bakhtiari weavers. Rendered in a harmonious palette of ea...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Floral Allover Light Beige Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite 1900s Persian Tabriz rug embodies the sophistication and artistry for which Tabriz weavers have long been celebrated. The carpet showcases a beautifully aged terracott...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Medallion Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This generous early-20th-century Persian Tabriz carpet offers a striking display of formal design and tonal elegance. The field is a warm, slightly abrash light brown-gold/beige, ov...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Medallion Warm Tan Rug - c. 1920 Ghom
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite 1920s Persian Tabriz rug embodies the refinement and meticulous craftsmanship for which Tabriz weavers are renowned. Its design departs from the densely ornamented flo...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Medallion Cream Beige Carpet - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Persian Tabriz carpet, measuring approximately 11′4″ × 17′8″, exemplifies formal design and refined ornamentation. It emanates quiet strength and sophistication. At its...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Carpet - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th-century Persian Tabriz rug exemplifies the refined artistry and technical mastery for which Tabriz weavers are celebrated. Handwoven circa 1900, the carpet features a...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Allover Floral Warm Tan Rug - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This 1920s Persian Tabriz rug is a striking example of the artistry and craftsmanship for which Tabriz weavers are renowned. Woven in one of Persia's most important rug-making center...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Floral Warm Tan Rug - c. 1940
Located in New York, NY
This elegant 1940s Persian Tabriz rug exemplifies the refined artistry for which Tabriz weaving is renowned. Hand-knotted in fine wool, the rug features a soft, understated palette o...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Floral Allover Warm Tan Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
A luminous example of early 20th-century Tabriz artistry, this rug features a softly abrased light brown field, suffused with the gentle patina of time. Across its surface flows an i...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Floral Warm Tan Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Persian Tabriz rug, woven in the early 20th century, embodies the elegance and refinement for which Tabriz weavers are renowned. Its soft, understated palette of warm ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Medallion Rug In Warm Tan - c. 1880
Located in New York, NY
Antique Tabriz rugs are widely known for their diversity. They can range from flat to pile weaves. Patterns of Tabriz rugs can feature not only traditional Persian motifs, but someti...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Medallion Dusty Tan Carpet - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
A grand statement in scale and artistry, this Persian Tabriz carpet measures 12′4″ × 19′0″, offering a spacious canvas for its formal botanical design. The field is richly textured ...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Medallion Light Beige Rug - c. 1880
Located in New York, NY
This antique Persian Tabriz rug, dating back to the early 1900s, exemplifies the refined artistry and balanced elegance for which Tabriz weaving is celebrated. The composition center...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Allover Floral Warm Tan Carpet - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This early-20th-century Persian Tabriz carpet radiates refinement, combining a soft, harmonious palette with both bold and elegant design elements. Measuring around 8′10″ × 11′1″, th...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Medallion Warm Tan With Brown Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This antique Persian Tabriz rug, dating back to the early 1900s, exemplifies the refined artistry and technical mastery for which Tabriz weavers have long been celebrated. Woven in a...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Floral Light Beige Rug - c. 1880
Located in New York, NY
This late 19th-century Persian Tabriz rug embodies the sophistication and artistry that established Tabriz as one of Persia's most celebrated weaving centers. Woven circa 1880, the c...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Medallion Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Rug - c. 1880
Located in New York, NY
Antique Tabriz rugs are widely known for their diversity, as they can range from flat to high pile weaves. Patterns of Tabriz rugs can feature not only traditional Persian motifs, bu...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Pale Sand Hand-Knotted Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th-century Persian Tabriz rug presents a distinguished allover design with remarkable symmetry and refinement. Its field is filled with a continuous pattern of scrolling...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Floral Allover Classic Taupe Rug - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This antique Persian Tabriz rug, handwoven in the 1920s, embodies the refinement and grandeur for which Tabriz weavings are celebrated. Distinguished by its harmonious balance of ele...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Allover Floral Warm Tan Rug - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite antique Persian Tabriz rug, dating back to the 1920s, beautifully reflects the artistry and refinement for which Tabriz weavings are celebrated. Woven in one of Persia...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Floral Allover Rug In Warm Tan - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This 1920s Persian Tabriz rug embodies the refined elegance and meticulous craftsmanship for which Tabriz weavers are renowned. Woven in a restrained yet sophisticated palette, the r...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Allover Floral Warm Tan Rug - c. 1900
Located in New York, NY
This gracious Tabriz carpet unfolds upon a warm beige field, a soft and luminous backdrop for its refined floral arabesques and stylized palmettes. The overall all-over design unfold...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Floral Allover Warm Tan Rug - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This antique Persian Tabriz rug, dating from the 1920s, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and elegant botanical tradition of Northwest Persia. The spacious field is rendered in a...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Tabriz Antique Allover Slate Gray Hand-Knotted Rug - c. 1920
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th-century Persian Tabriz rug embodies the quiet elegance and refined artistry for which Tabriz weaving has long been celebrated. Handwoven in the 1920s, the carpet feat...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Tabriz Floral Allover Soft Beige Rug - c. 1880
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite late 19th-century Persian Tabriz rug embodies the refinement and artistry for which the workshops of Tabriz were celebrated. Its expansive field, rendered in a luminou...
Wool
Lovely European Sized Antique Water-garden Tabriz Rug, c. 1920's
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Lovely European Sized Antique Water-Garden Tabriz Pistachio Green, Rust, Rose, Walnut About: Where in the World will you find a size like this?! You c...
Wool
Paradise Tabriz Rug with Pink & Blue & More Rug, circa 1920
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Story Book - Paradise Tabriz with pink & blue with greens & more true art with animal subjects Size: 9 x 12 Age: Antique, c. 1920's Pile: Low/Med...
Wool
Antique Mustard Saffron & Salmon Designer Tabriz in Herati Design, c.1930's
Located in Milwaukee, WI
Mustard Saffron & Salmon Designer Antique Tabriz in Herati Design About: Spectacular designer piece. Size: 9.3. x 12.3 Age: Antique C. 1930's Pile: Low/Medium with nice age-related...
Wool