Provenance and Knotting Tradition

The Loribaft — sometimes called the modern Gabbeh — is the contemporary interpretation of an ancient 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 and yurts; the pile was deliberately deep, the structure deliberately loose, and the dyes deliberately variable. Today the Loribaft revives this authentic 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 has become the new neutral in contemporary interior design — more versatile than black, stronger than grey — and the Loribaft tradition gives the colour the kind of organic depth that printed or machine-made textiles cannot replicate.

Presence in the Room

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

• Scandinavian minimalism: Paired with light oak, white walls and natural linen, the charcoal Loribaft anchors a Nordic living space with grounding and warmth.
• 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 for a meditative room atmosphere.

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 Sourcing · Label STEP

Djoharian is a Label STEP certified dealer for fair-trade knotted rugs — a commitment to dignified working conditions and against child labour in rug production. 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.

Service and Delivery

Every piece in the Djoharian Collection is expertly inspected in our atelier in Lohr am Main, professionally washed and shipped with a certificate of authenticity. Secure and fast worldwide shipping, fully insured, and personal consultation in our showroom or by video call.