Monday, August 1, 2011

From the Foothills of the Zagros Mountians, the Bakhtiari Migration.

Below are a series of videos form 2009, which I found fascinating. A 60 day journey that gave me a new appreciation for all that one can take for granted on a daily basis, with life here in the states.
I have always had a deep respect for the weavers that make the rugs that I sell in my retail gallery but watching this series only added to my understanding and admiration.

I found this series on You Tube. It shows in detail, the Bakhtiari migration, which has gone on for some 2500 years. You will see the amazing strength of character, physical and mental capabilities and total commitment to purpose in a people that never question the hardships they endure to find grazing pasture for their animals.  The Bakhtiari are respected weavers and have woven beautiful rugs for centuries.  I hope you enjoy!
1)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IljkR_y9Or8
2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2PobTCgqd4
3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7aAPgf5mo0
4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7aAPgf5mo0
5)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNHc1OaO1SA&feature=related
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Gorgeous 10 x 16 Antique Sarouk!

Recently acquired, this beautiful old rug is now available at my gallery. Woven in Iran, Circa 1925, this Persian carpet has incredibly lustrous wool, deeply saturated colors and magical sparkling blues. The overall floral design with detailed vases offers much to discover as one looks carefully.

Click here to see video


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Friday, May 27, 2011

Enjoy the Holiday! Closed for a few days...



My gallery will be closed Sunday, Monday of this week (May 29th, 30th).

These last few months business has been going well. Local and out of town buyers have picked up so take this as a good sign that the economy is coming to life.

The good, the bad and the ugly, but not too much ugly! Wholesale prices of well made, top of the line, vegetable dyed, Persian tribal rugs have gone up. The good news is if you have one, it is now worth more than you purchased it for!

As of Sept. 29, 2010, an Iranian Embargo went into effect, emanating from the US government; specifically, President Obama. This included Persian rugs. The few months prior to this, every wholesaler in the US that was in the business of bringing in Persian rugs, moved the earth and the sun to import as many beautiful rugs as they possibly could. Now, supplies are limited to only those with cash and a customer base to keep all flowing. HINT: The currently available rugs will not last forever! As I have mentioned in a few earlier posts, I still have a good supply of vegetable dyed, one of a kind, Persian tribal rugs in my inventory; Qashqai, Bijar, Khamseh. http:///

I am continuing to invest in what I can until supplies run out. The last embargo lasted over 10 years in duration and when I started my business in 1998, it was illegal to import Persian rugs. This changed in 2000 when President Clinton opened the door to importation of Iranian goods and Persian rugs flowed like a raging river back into the US.

Here are a few Facts about Persian rugs:
1) Persian rugs have the highest resale value of any handwoven rugs in the world.
2) Most other countries; Pakistan, India, China, Romania, and I hate to say this as I love Afghan rugs, but even Afghanistan, copy Persian rug designs.
4) Good quality Persian wool compares to nothing, period. Stain resistant, hard wearing, and when hand spun with the longer, finer fibers, glistens like the sun!
5) There are many different types of Persian rugs from the most detailed city workshop pieces such as a Tabriz or Isfahan to the bold geometric tribal designs that are woven in remote villages in Iran.
6) If properly cared for a hand woven rug can last over 300 years. There are numerous museum pieces that exceed this age from Middle Eastern Mosques or estates in Europe but if you take care of your rug it will take care of you!

Am I Persian? No, I was born in San Francisco and have blue eyes and blond hair, but the rug bug bit me and I cannot escape, nor do I want to.
Enjoy the Holiday.

Penny
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Monday, May 2, 2011

Persian Bijar, Garros design.



This rug is new and was woven in Iran. Woven by Kurdish weavers near Bijar in the town of Garros. Old design, new rug. Woven with plant based dyes, hand spun wool with much care, the few Bijars that I have left really speak almost the same language as the antique rugs of this type.

This piece recently sold but I found out early this week that my wholesaler in New York has about 4 additional rugs of a very similar type, in the 5 x 7, 5 x 8 range, that are available. They are all similar in design, but each piece has slight differences, if you look carefully. All are navy ground and have accent colors close to the piece above. I immediately ordered one for my personal collection, but there are still 3 gorgeous pieces available. As there is now a Persian rug embargo in place as of September 29, 2010, there will not be more of these coming into the US in the foreseeable future. The only Persian rugs that are available to dealers, such as myself are pieces that are already in the country.
If you have some interest in a rug of this type, send me an email or call and I can forward photos to you of what is available. All contact info is on my site.
http://www.paradiseorientalrugs.com/
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Monday, April 25, 2011

Fantastic Poem... "A DREAMER"

Need some inspiration? I found it in this beautiful poem.
~ ♥ ~

A dreamer knows no chains

A dreamer lives through pain

A dreamer has no cages

A dreamer never ages

A dreamer heeds no lies

A dreamer always flies

A dreamer is a bird

A dreamer saves the world

J.C.


Photo by WenXi Chen

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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Gabbeh Rugs at my Sebastopol, CA gallery!


I did a quick video yesterday of some of the Gabbeh rugs at my gallery for those that have some interest in this type of rug. Hopefully the current Persian rug embargo will not last forever as the original and best Gabbehs always come from Iran. The Qashqai weavers that make these rugs, love color as you can see by the clothes they wear in the movie Gabbeh! (see last post!) As of yesterday, all these rugs are currently available plus a number of pieces I was unable to include! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHbQQGq1pjU
Here is my article on Gabbeh rugs entitled, "What is a Gabbeh?"
Article on Gabbeh rugs.

Paradise Oriental Rugs, Inc.
137 No. Main St.
Sebastopol, CA 95472

707-823-3355
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Saturday, April 2, 2011

The Gabbeh Movie! Here is is!

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Monday, February 21, 2011

Oriental Rug Videos on You Tube!

I am adding new videos of rugs from my gallery to You Tube all the time. This first video is the navy Tree of Life rug that you see above.
Sometimes it's difficult to capture the magic of a rug in a photo so I'm enjoying making these available as time permits.

Also added these videos recently.


If you would like to see more of my rugs, just check out my gallery page:
http://www.paradiseorientalrugs.com/gallery/

Hope you enjoy!
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Friday, February 4, 2011

Another rug from Paradise! Navy Persian Bijar.

This Persian Bijar is 5'5" x 7'5". Timeless design woven with hand spun wool and vegetable dyes.
[This rug is sold as of a week ago...posted April 25, 2011]
[Bijar (Kurdish: بیجاڕ) is a city located in Kurdistan Province of Iran. Its estimated population as of 2006 is 46,156. With an elevation of 1883.4 meters, Bijar is called the Roof of Iran. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijar
From my definitions page:
BIJAR: A town in NW Iran (including the surrounding villages) where the rugs of this name are produced. Bijar rugs are woven by Kurdish weavers with an incredible originality and variation in the designs created. Bijar rugs are renown for their durability and have been nicknamed, "The iron rugs of Iran". The most famous BIJAR design is the GARRUS design, which you can see above.

To see more beautiful rugs go to:
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Monday, January 17, 2011

In Honor of Martin Luther King

Just read an incredible post with some wonderful MLK quotes!
Worth reading on the subject of freedom:
http://markrathbun.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/what-is-freedom/
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