Lori(Lorestan) Rug History

Lorestan is the name of a province in the western part of Iran whose inhabitants are called the Lore tribes. The Lors, also called Lur , are a large tribe that lives throughout the Zagros wedge range. This tribe has spread from Lorestan over the centuries and settled in Khuzestan province near the Persian Gulf. They live in various cities and regions, and a small percentage of them continue to live a nomadic life and raise livestock.

                         Lorestan, Iran

This region is of interest to livestock farmers due to its abundant grasslands, and today the main occupation of the nomads of this region is cattle breeding. Animal husbandry has many benefits for the Lore nomads. In addition to providing meat and milk, they also use animal wool and hair. For example, the black tent, which is a type of knotless weave, is obtained from goat hair. They also use the high-quality wool obtained to weave their  handmade rugs.

You can read about black tent in this article: What Is The Nomad’s Black Tent?

                                       Falak-ol-Aflak Castle

What is a Lori rug?

The rugs woven by the Lore people are called Lori rugs. The history of Lori carpets dates back to the mid-19th century. These carpets were not woven for sale. The women weavers, follow an ancient tradition of handicrafts such as rugs, Qabbeh, kilim, jajim, salt-bag, and khorjin for daily needs. Lori rugs are very similar to those woven by the Qashqai tribes in terms of type, size, and weaving method. In addition to these, the Lore people weave Yalame rugs that are successfully sold in the world.

When we talk about Lori rugs, we do not only mean the carpets of Lorestan province. Because, as we said, different tribes of these people live in neighboring provinces such as Fars, Khuzestan, Hamedan, etc. For this reason, Lori carpets are sold in different regions of Iran. A rug called Lori may have been woven by an Arab weaver! Given the blending of cultures of different tribes, attributing a carpet to a specific tribe should be based on the characteristics of the texture rather than their historical background.

                                    Antique luri rug

Lori Rugs Features

• Lori carpets are mostly woven in small and medium sizes.
• Both symmetrical knots and asymmetrical knots are used to weave Persian Lori rugs.
• The warp and weft of Lori area rugs are made of wool, cotton, and goat hair.
• Dyeing is often done with natural dyes.
• Red, indigo blue, navy blue, green, yellow and purple are mostly used in Lori rugs.
• Lori rugs are woven with low density and thickly.
• The wool of Lori rugs is usually spun by hand.
• They are among the most environmentally friendly carpets.

                                 Antique Lori rug

Lori Rugs Designs

The ultimate simplicity lies in the designs of Lori’s rugs. They weave carpets with designs that reflect their daily lives. These carpets tend to depict traditional floral, animal, and geometric motifs. The designs of Lori rugs are influenced by the rugs of Kurdistan. Antique Lori rugs are known as the most beautiful nomadic rugs due to their vivid and simple designs and high-quality wool.

Lori Rugs for Sale

The Lore people have created rugs that reflect Iranian art and culture. Many Lore people now live in Iranian cities, but these rugs are still woven by villagers. Among all tribal rugs, Lori rugs are one of the most famous. There are several reasons why Lori rugs are becoming rare. One of these reasons is the lack of recognition and distinction from other nomadic rugs. Another reason may be the unavailability of the nomadic Lur tribes.

However, the soft, flexible texture and rich and natural colors still place them among the authentic Iranian rugs. Lori rugs are designed with minimal and geometric designs and have attracted many enthusiasts among interior designers and decorators around the world.

                               Lori rug in your home!