Abadeh Sherkat

Abadeh is an oasis village of about 50.000 people, situated in the northern part of the Fars province, roughly midway between Shiraz and Isfahan. It has no significant monuments but its location on the northern side of the Zagros Mountains, close to the caravan and nomad routes, has made the inhabitants susceptible to outside influence. This can be seen in the rugs produced in the city. The most famous Abadeh pattern is found in the rugs of the Kashghai tribe; a very pure style flower motif in centre of the rug, repeated in every corner. Other patterns, although rarely seen today, include the Zil-e-Sultan pattern, consisting of flowers, vases, and a couple of birds – a pattern of small bands, running the length of the rug. The dominant colours are red, dark blue, and white. The pile is always wool, while the warp and weft are cotton. Sherkat is the designation for a select series of rug types that are knotted in special workshops as part of a state-controlled project, the purpose of which is to support and thereby preserve the production of fine classical Persian rug patterns.