Welcome Guest Search | Active Topics | Log In | Register

kheft in Efahan rugs
verygooduser Offline
#1 Posted : Monday, August 8, 2011 5:10:19 AM(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member

Joined: 7/28/2011(UTC)
Posts: 33
Points: 111
Hi,

Can Somebody please explain the concept of kheft as used in Isfahan rugs (or other types if applicable).
From my not so perfect understanding and based on some pictures I have seen, the borders near the fringe feature two threads with two alternating colours and somehow the density there define the quality of the rug.

regards,

Sponsor  
 

Love the Rug Rag Forums?

Register above, then purchase a monthly Forum Pass for Full Access

Rugfirm Offline
#2 Posted : Monday, August 8, 2011 12:35:33 PM(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Member

Joined: 3/2/2011(UTC)
Posts: 286
Points: 885
Location: California, U.S.A.
For Isfahan rugs, the number of knots per square inch (KPSI) is measured by the "Kheft" rather than the concept of "raj" in other types of Persian rugs such as Tabriz. If you look closely at the kilim border right before the fringe starts, you will notice a line of either red or blue at regular intervals. This is a mark showing that there are 100 threads of warp in that interval. So an Isfahan rug in any given size could have lower or higher KPSI. If you count 14 intervals separated by such colored lines in a certain piece (call it A) across the rug, it means there are 1400 warp threads on which the knots have been tied. Now if you get a piece of the same size (call it B) and you count 16 intervals, you have 1600 warp threads, thus a higher KPSI, and most likely, a more expensive piece. Rug "A" is considered a higher quality Isfahan compared to rug "A". Each one of these intervals is called a "Kheft". Of course, there are many more factors to be considered in evaluating an Isfahan rug, but "Kheft" is an important one. I hope it answers your question.
verygooduser Offline
#3 Posted : Tuesday, August 9, 2011 4:43:35 AM(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member

Joined: 7/28/2011(UTC)
Posts: 33
Points: 111
Thank you that's starting to make sense. So in some seemingly expensive Isfahans that coloured thread in the killim area is absent altogether.. what does that tell you in general?
Rugfirm Offline
#4 Posted : Tuesday, August 9, 2011 12:31:53 PM(UTC)
Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Member

Joined: 3/2/2011(UTC)
Posts: 286
Points: 885
Location: California, U.S.A.
In most Isfahan rugs, you should be able to see the colored threads that separate the "Kheft", if not in one side perhaps in the other. However, some older Isfahan rugs do not follow that rule and that is normal. The tighness of the weave shows from the backside of a rug, and that is why you should not be alarmed if your Isfahan does not have the Keft indicators. It is not really a sign of a superior quality, like a "signature" that in almost all cases adds to the price tag of a rug.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

Powered by YAF | YAF © 2003-2010, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.113 seconds.