Glossary Indigo Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family with odd-pinnate leaves and usually red or purple flowers. A yellow juice from the plant oxidizes to blue when exposed to air. Indigo was chemically synthesized in 1880. India India is located in South Asia. The capital of India is New Delhi. Rug weaving was introduced to India during the sixteenth century at the time of the Moghul Emperor Akbar. Currently, India is one of the largest producers of handmade rugs. Market sizing data from the exporting countries is difficult to obtain, as some of the countries may not track the data or disclose it. Nevertheless, from foreign embassies, industry specialists, and magazine articles, the 1998 rug export estimate for India is 500 million dollars. India only produces handmade rugs for the sole purpose of exportation. Indo-Esfahan A rug made in India in Esfahan style. Iran Iran is located in Southwestern Asia. The capital of Iran is Tehran. Until the 1930s Iran was known abroad as Persia. It is estimated that Iran produces approximately three-quarters of all the handmade rugs in the world. Market sizing data from the exporting countries is difficult to obtain as some of the countries may not track the data or disclose it. Nevertheless, from foreign embassies, industry specialists, and magazine articles, the 1998 rug export estimate for Iran is 800 million dollars. Iran also produces a large number of rugs for its local market. Traditionally, Iranians have purchased rugs as investments. Ireland Ireland is located in Northern Europe. The capital of Ireland is Dublin. Ireland gained its independence from the British Empire in 1921. Ireland is one of few European countries which still has a rug-weaving industry. Islimi A motif based on arabesque forms (intertwining leaves, stems, vines and blossoms). Islimi Medallion-and-Corner The field of this design is covered with a motif called islimi which is based on arabesque forms (intertwining leaves, stems, vines and blossoms). Often the islimi motif is used in conjunction with the shah abbasi motif in which case the design could be called shah abbasi and islimi medallion-and-corner; the shah abbasi motif can be part of the medallion and also be seen in the field and the border. Return to Top Jufti Knot The jufti knot can be seen in rugs of Khorasan, Iran. This knot can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. The knot is usually tied over four warps making the weaving process faster. Return to Top Kalaleh Some medallion centerpieces have two small floral extensions on the top and bottom called pendants. Each pendant has two parts. Kalaleh is the Persian name for the part of the pendant further away from the medallion. Katibeh Some medallion centerpieces have two small floral extensions on the top and bottom called pendants. Each pendant has two parts. Katibeh is the Persian name for the part of the pendant closer to the medallion. Kelim The most well known group of flat-woven rugs. No knots are used in creating kelims. Simply, the weft strands are woven (passed) through the warp strands. Kellegi (Persian) A runner of about 4 to 6 feet wide with a length of about two to three times its width. Kellegi was part of a four-piece set of rugs, which their production came to an end about 60 years ago. The four pieces were only made in Iran and were sold as sets. A complete set can rarely be found now. Many Persian living rooms were covered with these traditional sets, which included one main piece, Mianfarsh or middle carpet, of approximately 6 to 8 feet wide and 16 to 20 feet long. At the head of the room, Kellegi was placed. On each side of the middle rug, two very narrow and long runners, called Kenareh were placed. Kenareh measured between 2.5 to 5 feet wide and anywhere between 5 to 40 feet long. Food was placed on a cloth on the middle rug. The elderly and the host would sit on the headpiece, and everyone else would sit on the two side rugs. Kenareh (Persian) A very narrow and long runner of between 2.5 to 5 feet wide and anywhere between 5 to 40 feet long. Kenareh was part of a four-piece set of rugs, which their production came to an end about 60 years ago. These sets were only made in Iran and were sold as sets. A complete set can rarely be found now. Many Persian living rooms were covered with these traditional sets, which included one main piece, Mianfarsh or middle carpet, of approximately 6 to 8 feet wide and 16 to 20 feet long. At the head of the room, a runner called Kellegi, was placed. Kellegi measured between 4 to 6 feet wide with a length of about two to three times its width. On each side of the middle rug, two Kenareh rugs were placed. Food was placed on a cloth on the middle rug. The elderly and the host would sit on the headpiece, and everyone else would sit on the two side rugs. Knot Pile-woven or knotted rugs are created by knots. The two predominant types of knots are Asymmetrical and Symmetrical. Knot Density Knot density refers to the overall number of knots used in creation of a handmade rug. Knot density is measured in the Imperial System in square inch and in the Metric System in square decimeter. Koran, Quran The holy book of Muslims. Kork Fine wool taken from the belly of sheep. Kufesque, Kufic A border design originating from an Arabic script. Return to Top