Felt Rugs

Melina and Dodd Raissnia of Peace Industry own and operate their own workshop in Iran where they have perfected the best methods for producing high quality felt rugs, all of which are designed by Melina. The method is a revitalization of the oldest rug tradition from Iran that had been on the verge of extinction.

After several trips to Tehran, they found a small number of villages where a few old men were practicing the ancient art of felt making. It became apparent that this ancient and unknown tradition would die out quickly if nothing changed.

The tradition of felt rugs began in Iran in the Neolithic age. It spanned the nomadic mountain regions from Turkey to Mongolia where nomads live in felt covered tents. This is the only region in the world with a tradition of felt carpets because of the type of wool available that produces an extremely strong felt. The Central Asian nomadic tradition is the most known and incorporates primitive motifs from the Zoarastrian religion like spirals, rams horns, and waves. There is little known about the Persian adaptation of this nomadic art form. The Raissnias have found pieces that they believe represent a once popular style in Iran but don't really know how long the tradition enjoyed popularity amongst urbanized Iranians.

Felt rugs are not woven but pressed to create an incredibly strong, dense textile. Layers of loose wool fibers are arranged on a tarp on the floor. Boiling water is sprinkled on top of the wool. It is then rolled in the tarp with a stick and then bound tightly with a rope. The rolled, wet wool is walked on until the fibers have shrunken together enough to bind. The wool is then removed from the tarp and beaten and rolled by hand to ensure even felting. Patterns are achieved by adding a layer of wool arranged into a design. Any form of wool can be integrated into the pattern including felt shapes, dyed loose wool, or yarn for fine details. When the wool is wet it is very pliable. Sculpting techniques are used to move the design into position and straighten the edges.

The ancient felting process does not require the use of chemicals or toxins. Only a very mild soap is used to wash the wool. Otherwise, wool and biodegradable vegetable dyes are the only ingredients.

For a look at the felting process watch the 15-minute film with Haj Ali, one of the last felters still working in Iran, a fifth generation Iranian felter.