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National Carpet Museum in Tehran. Photo By A.Davey . –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Carpet Museum of Iran

The art of carpet weaving dates back nearly 25 centuries ago. History has it that the agricultural phase of Iran laid the foundation for the knotted-pile carpet.

Initially, carpets were used by tribesmen as a form of protection from the cold.  As the carpet designs increased in beauty, kings and noblemen quickly adopted them into their own homes. Carpets then became a symbol of wealth and prestige.

As the Persian carpets increased in popularity, Iran saw it fit to preserve its historical heritage and artistical designs. The Carpet Museum was then constructed by the last queen of Iran, Farah Pahlavi, in 1977.

The Carpet Museum, which is found in Tehran Iran, is located at the intersection of Fatemi and Karegar Avenue, Northwest of Laleh Park. It is regarded as the ‘Persian treasure’ with carpets as old as 25 centuries.

The museum was also set up as an education and exhibition center. Occasionally, carpets from all over Iran and the world are displayed in the museum.

The Carpet Museum is ranked first in the world in terms of variety of fabric textures. It has an exemplary collection of over 100 hundred carpets all with unique stories! The oldest carpet in the museum was discovered in 1940.

1. The Patterns and Themes Were Dependent On The Weavers’ Traditions And Religious Beliefs

Carpet weaving is one of the most significant Iranian forms of art and cultural heritages. The carpets in the museum were influenced by the weavers’ religion, tradition and Iranian literature.

The artist elements of the carpets therefore ranged from floral and natural landscape elements to kings and influential Iranians. The current carpet patterns are inspired by miniature and unique tile works.

2. Its Building Structure Mimics The Carpet Scaffold

National Carpet Museum in Tehran. Photo By A.Davey . – Wikimedia Commons

The carpet museum was designed by Abdol Aziz Mizra Farmanfarmian. Its exterior is structured like a carpet scaffold. The weaving loom design allows the casting of shadows onto its interior for regulating the museum’s temperature.

Another strategy that controls the interior temperature is white exterior walls. Temperatures in Iran get as high as 360c in the summer. High temperatures can cause shrinkage in carpet fibres.

3. The Carpet Museum Is A centre For International Exhibitions

The location of the Carpet Museum makes it one of the ideal places to hold exhibitions in Tehran. The 3,400-square-foot museum has 2 floors. The ground floor has permanently displayed carpets while the second floor is open for seasonal and occasional expositions.

4. The Carpet Museum Has Woven Rugs With Tales of Ferdowsi

Bayasanghori Shâhnâmeh. Photo Source Wikimedia Commons

The museum has a display of figurative carpets with characters from the legendary Iranian folktale. The iconic tales were written Shahnameh, The Book of Kings by Hakim Abolghasem Ferdowsi, the most famous poet in Iran.

The samples of the figurative carpets in the museum showcase the Baysonghhor (the manuscript of the National Epic of Greater Iran) and the Rostam epic (a heroic symbol in the Shahnameh).

5. Iranian Kings And Royalties Are Subject To Some of The Displayed Carpets

Iranian Royalties Figures, Carpet Museum. Photo By Reibai –

The hand weavings of Persian rugs show rich diverse tribal and regional traditions. Artists during the Qajar era made portraits of contemporary kings. Kings of Qajar era and Jamshid, the fourth king of Shahnameh’s Pishdadian dynasty, are some of the royal subjects of the pictorial carpets.

6. Each Carpet in The Carpet Museum Has Its Unique Colour Scheme

The individual value of the Persian carpets is dependent on its unique quality. Each of the carpets has about 15 to 25 different colour shades.

 In Iranian culture, colours had a deeper meaning. Emerald green carpets were considered sacred as they were believed to be Prophet Mohammed’s favourite colour. The green colour scheme is a representation of hope and divine force.

The sophisticated red madder root colour was a symbol of luck. The other common colour such as gold and yellow a symbols of royalty and prominence. A consolidation of gold and brown was used to show power and wealth.

7. It Was Established As An Iranian Research And Art Education Centre

Carpet weaving. Photo By LoggaWiggler –

Persian carpets are Iran’s most outstanding handcraft. Rug weaving and design patterns are a symbol of Iranian heritage. The museum has descriptions that represent the various materials, patterns and images of the carpets and its origin.

Queen Pahlavi’s keen interest in arts and culture was what promoted the construction of the museum. Tourists get to learn about the materials used in different kilims and rugs. Additionally, the museum showcases the dynasty tree of life of Kings and notables.

8. The Carpet Museum Is A Resource Centre for Eastern And Iranian Religion, Art and Literature

The museum has a showroom with audiovisuals of Iranian handicrafts and carpet weaving. The carpet themes also impart knowledge on mythological literature and Iranian fables.

Aside from the carpet displays, the museum has a library with 7,000 books in German, Persian, Arabic, French and English. The books are based on the Iranian history of art, literature and religion published by International and Iranian art experts.

9. The Carpets And Rugs Displayed Have Elements of The Western World

The 19^th century saw a surge in carpet designs and motifs. Artists and craftsmen introduced western elements during this Era. Western archaeologists were also responsible for the discovery pre-Islamic of elements of literature.

Ancient carpet artists used dye from natural elements but the west introduced techniques such as publishing and brought forth other art forms. Carpet weavers were influenced by the socio-cultural events and began creating picture-themed rugs. Some carpets in the museum include the family tree of Kings.

10. The Carpet Museum Displays Iran’s Iconic Weaving Centers

Carpet weaving is one of the Iranian talents and is spread out throughout the country. At the entrance of the museum, there is a map of Iran marked with the country’s iconic weaving centers.

Centre of Khorsan, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kordestan and Kerman still practice this form of art with women and youth fully participating in it.