Arak Area Rug - #674

The Arak Region

Arak is a term usually used in rug literature but in reality it is just an old name for the southern half of Markazi Province. Arak takes in the area bordered by Guzan (Jozan) Arak (Sultanabad) Kasan (Kashan) and Qom. Guzan is up against the Hamadan region and the next town west is Malayer. A Malayar is in the Hamadan family of rugs with single wefts and Turkish knots while just a few miles away a Guzan (Jozan) is in the Saruk family with double wefts and Persian knots.

Arak rugs are made in and around the city of Arak (previously known as Sultanabad), an important region in the carpet industry. Arak rugs have generally one of three major patterns: 1) the famous Herati pattern, which includes small fish throughout the field, with or without a central medallion. 2) the more curvilinear pattern of Sarough, with intertwined grapevines throughout the field and a round central medallion. 3) The pattern of Wiss, with three diamonds making up the central medallion. The color schemes vary, but almost always include red and navy blue tones. Arak carpets are woven with asymmetrical Persian knots.