# What Is a Gabbeh Rug?
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Origin
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Gabbeh rugs are a type of Persian rug and originate from within the Persian empire, in such areas now known as Iran. Specifically, this style is produced in the southern and southwestern portion of Iran. As a whole, Persian rugs refer to any rug that is produced within the former Persian Empire, though not all Persian rugs feature the better known "Persian design." A large number of authentic Gabbeh rugs are woven by the tribes Qashqai, Lori, Bakhtiari and Shiraz.
Identification
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The term "Gabbeh" literally means unclipped, which describes the length of the pile. Gabbeh rugs tend to have higher piles with lower knot counts compared with other higher end Persian rugs. Although they are still classified as a type of Persian rug, historically these rugs were woven for personal use rather than for profit, so they tended to be of lesser quality materials and designs. However, this does not apply today as Gabbeh is now a style of rug referring to the pile length and pattern, rather than the quality.
Materials, Size and Design
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Gabbeh rugs feature more bold and graphic patterns rather than intricate designs. They come in variations that may feature stripes, borders or animal motifs. Gabbeh rugs are made to be extremely durable, as they were traditionally woven for personal use. These rugs are made using wool, which is hand-knotted in loose piles in a flat woven style. The foundations of these rugs are also made using wool. Wools are commonly dyed shades such as khaki, green or light blue. In newer rugs, red and yellow are also becoming more common. Though Gabbeh rugs can be made in any size, the authentic rugs tend to be smaller, around 2-by-3 feet or 4-by-6 feet.
Cost
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The cost of a Gabbeh rug can vary greatly. According to Old Carpet, Gabbeh rugs can cost as little as $3 to $7 per square foot. This translates to up to $168 for a 4-by-6 foot rug. Meanwhile, Gabbeh Rugs estimates their price to anywhere from $500 to $60,000, depending on the size, design and overall quality. Therefore, it is expected that price for these rugs will likely fluctuate based on availability and popularity.
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