Lilihan rugs: Armenian village weaving near Arak

Background

Lilihan is a group of villages in the Kamareh area south-west of Arak, historically home to Armenian weavers.

Designs

Lilihans often show floral sprays and a central medallion on a red field, with a softer, looser look than city workshop rugs.

Construction

A key difference from Sarouk is the single weft between rows of knots, with symmetric knots, which gives a looser, more flexible handle.

• Cotton foundation
• Symmetric knots
• Single weft
• Medium pile

Lilihan versus Sarouk

Sarouks are usually double-wefted with asymmetric knots and feel stiffer. Lilihans are single-wefted and lighter, but labels are often used loosely.

Buying checklist

• Ask the seller what the regional name is based on: town, village group or design only
• Turn the rug over and look at knot type, warp colour and weft count
• Check ends, sides and pile height for wear or re-weaving
• Ask whether dyes have run or been chemically washed
• Check the back for single wefts and symmetric knots
• Get any claim about age, region or handmade origin in writing

Care

Single-weft rugs can be less stable at the sides; keep the side cords in good repair.

A note on this guide

This is general information from the CraftPersia editorial team and has not been reviewed by a specialist. Regional names in the rug trade are market labels, and design alone is weak evidence of origin. This guide is not a valuation or authentication.