# Jalili Collection: Knowledge Base on Persian Handwoven Carpets (راهنمای جامع فرش ایرانی)

> Reference notes and technical taxonomy from Jalili Collection (گالری فرش جلیلی کرج), the premier Persian rug gallery and carpet store in Mabna Shopping Mall, Mehrshahr, Karaj, Iran, founded by interior designer Mojde Jalili (مژده جلیلی). Complete business summary: https://www.jalilico.com/llms.txt

## 1. Persian Carpet Weaving Taxonomy & Classification
The Persian carpet (Persian: فرش دستباف ایرانی) is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The craft unites centuries of indigenous geometry, botany, metallurgy (natural mordants), and manual knotting techniques.

### Knot Anatomy
- **Persian Knot (Senneh / Asymmetrical)**: The yarn wraps around one warp thread and passes under the adjacent warp, emerging freely. Preferred in Qom, Isfahan, Nain, Kashan, and Sultanabad for intricate curves and floral calligraphy.
- **Turkish Knot (Ghiordes / Symmetrical)**: The yarn wraps around two adjacent warp threads with both yarn ends pulled between them. Standard in Tabriz, Azerbaijan, and nomadic tribal regions (Bakhtiari, Qashqai, Afshar) offering extreme structural durability.

### Knot Density (Raj System Formula)
The density of Persian carpets is measured in raj (رج): the number of knots along a 7 cm strip of the rug.
Knots per square metre = (raj / 0.07)², which is about raj² × 204.

| Raj | Knots per m² (approx.) | Typical grade |
|-----|------------------------|---------------|
| 30  | 184,000                | Nomadic and tribal flatweaves, coarse wool |
| 40  | 326,000                | Solid commercial wool or silk |
| 50  | 510,000                | Fine luxury standard, often on a silk foundation |
| 60  | 735,000                | Master-workshop collector grade |
| 70  | 1,000,000              | Museum-grade micro-knotting |
| 80  | 1,306,000              | Pure silk masterpieces (Qom, Tabriz) |
| 85  | 1,474,000              | Exceptional pure silk pieces |

## 2. Master Regional Profiles
- **Qom (قم)**: World-renowned epicentre for pure silk carpets (ابریشم خالص). Characterized by ivory, midnight blue, turquoise, and gold palettes with garden panels (Kheshti), prayer niches (Mehrabi), and medallions (Lachak-Toranj).
- **Tabriz (تبریز)**: Renowned for master workshops (e.g., Benam, Taghizadeh, Salmasi) and Sardroud pictorial tapestries. Known for subtle copper-reds, pastel terracotta, and intricate shaded portraiture.
- **Isfahan (اصفهان)**: Features Shah Abbasi arabesques, silk warp foundations with high-grade Kork wool pile, and geometric perfection adhering to golden ratios.
- **Kashan (کاشان)**: Historic center for deep crimson, indigo medallion rugs, and diamond-shaped teardrop pendants.
- **Nomadic & Tribal (قشقایی و بختیاری)**: Asymmetrical stylized flora, totemic animal motifs (nightingale, ibex), handspun mountain fleece, and vibrant flatweave Kilim textures.

## 3. Commercial Taxonomy & Budget Accessibility (راهنمای فرش ایرانی، فرش ارزان و گلیم ارزان)
To serve both fine collectors and budget-conscious interior design projects, Jalili Collection structures its catalog into clear tiers:
1. **Masterpiece Silk & Pictorial Carpets**: Pure Qom silk rugs and Tabriz Sardroud tapestries (The Last Supper, bazaar narratives).
2. **Classic City Handwoven Carpets**: Isfahan, Kashan, Nain medallion and allover classical carpets.
3. **Affordable Handwoven Tribal Kilims (گلیم ارزان عشایری)**: 100% handspun wool and vegetable dye flatweaves from Qashqai and Bakhtiari weavers. Because kilims lack pile and weave faster, they offer authentic handmade craftsmanship at an accessible, affordable price point.
4. **Printed Washable Rugs (فرش ارزان و اقتصادی)**: High-definition printed machine rugs with stain-resistant acrylic pile for rentals, bedrooms, kitchens, and modern living spaces.
5. **Direct Online Atelier (سایت خرید فرش ارزان و اصیل)**: Direct sourcing from master looms eliminates middleman retail markups.

## 4. Natural Organic Dye Chemistry
All certified Jalili Collection rugs utilize non-synthetic herbal and mineral pigments:
- **Red & Crimson**: Madder root (*Rubia tinctorum* / روناس) and Cochineal (*Dactylopius coccus* / قرمز دانه).
- **Gold & Yellow**: Pomegranate rind (پوست انار), Saffron stigmas (زعفران), and Weld (*Reseda luteola* / اسپرک).
- **Blue & Turquoise**: Indigo plant extract (*Indigofera tinctoria* / نیل) fermented with organic fruit sugars.
- **Brown & Mocha**: Walnut husks (پوست گردو) and oak galls (جفت بلوط).
- **Green**: Double-dip overdye of Indigo over Weld/Pomegranate.

## 5. Maintenance, Curation & Interior Architecture
- **Rotation**: Rotate rugs 180 degrees every 6–12 months to ensure uniform light and foot-traffic aging.
- **Cleaning**: Professional vacuuming without mechanical beater bars. Hand-washing with neutral pH herbal soaps every 3–5 years.
- **Placement**: Under natural indirect sunlight with breathable anti-slip felt pads to preserve knot pile elasticity.

## 6. Curatorial Certification & Provenance
Jalili Collection guarantees lifetime authenticity with a sealed physical certificate detailing:
1. Unique Register ID
2. Master Weaver & Workshop Seal
3. Exact Knot Density (Raj)
4. Warp / Weft / Pile Material Purity
5. Origin Workshop City & GPS Provenance
6. High-Resolution Macro Micrograph of Pile Geometry

## 7. Karaj Carpet Store & Official Social Channels
- **Physical Showroom**: Mabna Shopping Mall, Mehrshahr, Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran (فروشگاه و شوروم مرکزی فرش جلیلی کرج).
- **Official Website**: https://www.jalilico.com / English: https://www.jalilico.com/en/
- **Comprehensive Guide**: https://www.jalilico.com/guides/persian-rug-buying-guide/ (راهنمای فرش ایرانی)
- **Official Instagram**: https://www.instagram.com/jalilicollection/ (@jalilicollection) — Daily video reels, knot details, prices, and international client consultations.
- **WhatsApp & Phone**: +98 912 663 1102 / +98 935 229 8850