Provenance and Knotting Tradition

The Loribaft — sometimes called the modern Gabbeh — is the contemporary interpretation of an old knotting tradition of the Luri and Qashqai nomads of southwestern Iran. The original Gabbeh tradition produced thick, coarsely knotted wool rugs for everyday life inside tents; the pile was deliberately deep, the structure deliberately loose, and the dyes deliberately variable. Today the Loribaft revives this tradition for the international design market, hand-knotted in the same characteristic loose, airy structure that gives the rug its tactile depth.

This piece is a contemporary production hand-knotted from 100 % wool on a cotton foundation in the Loribaft tradition. The minimalist composition is a deliberate choice for clean geometry and quiet reduction — a textile that returns to the foundational principle of the tradition: the knot itself as the design, the wool itself as the colour. Every centimetre is unique, every knot set by hand.

Colour and Composition

The piece is built on an open field of deep charcoal grey, with the natural variation of hand-spun wool reading through the surface as subtle tonal shifts. A fine inner border frames the field, accented by minimalist square-dot motifs in lighter grey and ivory — the understated signature of the Loribaft idiom. Charcoal is a widely used neutral in contemporary interiors, and the hand-knotted wool gives the colour an organic depth.

Presence in the Room

At 120 × 180 cm (2.2 m²) this is a compact, easily placed piece. Three contexts in which the modern Loribaft comes into its own:

• Scandinavian minimalism: paired with light oak, white walls and natural linen, the charcoal Loribaft anchors a Nordic living space.
• Industrial loft: on polished concrete or beside exposed brick, the rug underscores the loft character and brings textile softness to hard materials.
• Japandi: in the Japanese–Scandinavian design idiom, charcoal harmonises with bamboo, rattan and muted earth tones.

Bespoke Service

This Loribaft design can be tailored to your architectural project. Our bespoke service offers:

• Custom colour palette: selection from over 1,200 yarn shades, matched to fabric or paint samples.
• Custom dimensions: any size to fit your space.
• Lead time: approximately 4 to 6 months from final approval.

See our bespoke rugs page for the full process.

Specifications

Responsible Origin · Label STEP

Djoharian is a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs — fair wages for the weavers and no child labour. Visit the Label STEP entry for Djoharian Teppiche →

Djoharian — Since 1967

With roots in the Grand Carpet Bazaar of Tehran and more than five decades of experience in the international rug trade, Djoharian has specialised in antique, designer and contemporary hand-knotted rugs since 1967. Every piece is inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main before dispatch. For expert washing and repair we offer our own professional rug cleaning service. Secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured, with personal consultation in our showroom or by video call.