Malayer Rugs
The Malayir rug weaving area begins north of Malayer around Goukar (Joukar) and continues south into the Borugerd area in North Luristan. In the west it ends at the Zagros mountains and in the east at the province of Markazi (Arak and the Sarouk area).
The Malayer or Malayir rug comes from the large rug producing region south of Hamadan extending into North Luristan. There is a wide variety of different rug patterns. The rugs are single wefted and range from coarse to finer than most Hamadan rugs. Generally they have thick construction of very good wool.
Rug Structure:
“Sennah Baft” or Hamadan weave
Single weft is called “Sennah Baft” or Hamadan weave. Here the wefts are rigid and the warps are sinuous. As you can see in the sketch the wefts are heavier than the warps. It is woven with symmetrical knots. Since there is only one shot of weft between each row of knots this shows every other warp which makes these rugs easy to spot.
Examples:
Antique Malayer Rug
6’7″ x 4’7″ or 2.00 x 1.40
Malayer Long Rug, Northwest Persia, late 19th century
Even wear to center. 11 ft. x 5 ft.
Malayer Rug, Northwest Persia, late 19th century
Even wear to center, guard stripes partially missing from both ends. 6 ft. 3 in. x 5 ft. 2 in.
Antique Malayer Rug, Northwest Persia, late 19th century
Very slight end fraying. 6 ft. 4 in. x 4 ft.
Antique Malayer Rug, Northwest Persia, late 19th century
Slight even wear, several small repairs to edges and corners. 6 ft. 4 in. x 4 ft.
Antique Malayer Rug from Rezvani Rugs
City/Tribe of Origin: Malayer
Age: early 20th Century (Ca. 1900 – 1920)
Size: (feet) 20′ x 3’6″ (cm) 610 x 110
Foundation: Cotton
Pile: Wool
This rug shows an amazing field design with floral motives on an indigo background. The very beautifully designed border combination with wonderful abrash completes this masterpiece of Persian artwork with very fine knotting and very high quality. The condition of this Malayer is very good for its age, little part where knotheads and foundation is visible.
Malayer Rug, Northwest Persia, early 20th century
Small repiled area, end fraying. 4 ft. 6 in. x 3 ft. 5 in.
Malayer Saddlecover Dated 1881-82
Country of Origin: Persia/Iran Arak region
Date of Origin: Dated 1881-82
Use: Saddle rug
Antique Persian Malayer Rug
3 foot 8 inches by 6 foot 3 inches. This is a decorative carpet that is in worn but useable condition. The field is a wealth of leaves, botehs, and birds. This piece has mellowed to soft and subdued colors. Pile length is low in the field. No sign of any repairs or reweaves.
Origin: Persia, circa 1900.
Structure: Symmetrical knot. 8 knots per horizontal inch and 6 knots per vertical inch. 48 per square inch (744 per square decimeter)
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: 2 ply tan wool or white cotton.
Weft: 1 shot. two wool singles in each shed.
Pile: 2 Wool singles.
Ends: Reduced, warp fringe.
Selvages: Overcast with green wool, needs to be.
Further Notes: Condition is average, showing signs of wears. The rug is slightly reduced on the ends, but the guard borders are intact.
Circa 1950 Kurdish Malayer Rug
Kurdish rug, Malayer district, northwest Persia about 1950. 7ft. 1in. x 4ft.8in. 2.16m. x 1.42m.
Malayer rug, Northwest Persia about 1920-30
6ft.7in. x 3ft.5in. 2. 01m. x 1.04m. Some wear in center.
Malayer Saddle Rug 
Origin: West Persia, Hamadan Region
Size: ca. 90 x 103 cm
Notes on Condition: Rare saddle rug with lion symbols in the two upper corners. Original leather trimming removed, unfortunately together with the original sides (all around), but otherwise in good condition.
Mishan Malayer Rug
Northwest Persia, late 19th century. 3-7 x 6-4. This is a Mishan Malayer Rug in the Zil es Sultan pattern.
Antique Persian Malayer carpet
Size: 7 foot 10 inch by 14 foot. This is an attractive antique Malayir Persian carpet. The field is a strong indigo blue, and the others colors have mellowed to the soft tones of a 19th century carpet. The color in this rug is very even and well balanced.
Structure: Symmetrical knot. 6 knots per horizontal inch and 9 knots per vertical inch. 54 per square inch (837 per square decimeter).
Yarn Spin: Z.
Warp: 1 ply white cotton.
Weft: 1 shot white cotton.
Pile: 2 wool singles.
Ends: Post-hitch wharf binding with .5 inch warp fringe.
Selvages: 1 cord overcastting brown wool.
Handle: Medium, durable.
Further Notes: Good condition, very low, down to the collar condition, a couple of quarter sized repairs, minor selvage wear.
