The Kurds of Iran, Iraq, and Turkey represent over 30% of the world's carpet exports. One regional specialty are the Soumak, or silken flat-weave carpets and in turn these are divided by size. Below are the Qālicheh (Farsi for "rug") type, 6 x 4 feet or smaller.
Silk rugs being the least durable but most expensive, tend to increase in value with age and are displayed on walls. These rugs employ a very wide range of designs but the Soumak style distinctly uses pastoral Islamic themes. This is the type of rug I sent home... Orhan is our local Kurdish carpet merchant on VBC.
