Question 1

What does the word “Abrash” Mean?

Accepted Answer

The word “Abrash” means rainbow / spectrum in Farsi. In Oriental rugs, the term is used to describe the visible variations and changes in color of the rug’s front facing pile.

Question 2

What causes the abrash to appear in the first place?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, abrashes are created due to variations in individual batches of dye, or individually dyed batches of yarn. While the colors may look the same at the time that the rug was woven, all human created carpet dye lots vary a little bit. As a result, over the years, each batch will mellow out and fade a little differently. This results in the “abrash affect” – different striated shades of the same base color.

Question 3

Does Abrash mean that the rug is defect or poorly made?

Accepted Answer

While some people may look at the abrash coloration and think of them as “imperfections,” in reality, they are not defects at all. Instead, they are the innate characteristic of dye variables that naturally occur when materials are handmade and hand dyed. While some may prefer the more flat and uniform look like those of a machine-made replica, most others will prefer the original and unique distinctions that the hand weaving process brings out. To these individuals, the striated abrash coloration add a distinctive beauty to the rugs and carpets and make them a far more valuable and treasured work of art. In fact, most of the best connoisseurs and rug collectors value the unique beauty that the abrash coloration offer.

Abrashes are so appreciated that many of today’s manufacturers, who are producing some of the highest quality rugs, often put a great deal of time and energy trying to recreate this distinctive look. While they may accomplish this with varying degrees of success, there is still nothing quite as valuable or beautiful as an original handcrafted antique or semi antique rug. In fact, collectors of rugs are often particularly drawn to the most creative and warm abrash found in antique rugs.

Abrash Rugs

See some beautiful abrash rugs from our collection:

Soft Neutral Color Antique Khotan Area Rug 47571

Geometric Neutral Small Antique Persian Bidjar Rug 60529

Soft Decorative Ivory Antique Indian Cotton Agra Herati Design Abrash Rug 40770

Beautiful Tribal Antique Persian Malayer Rustic Abrash Rug 71706

Blue Abraash Antique Persian Sarouk Farahan Rug 71307

Beautiful Tribal Antique Abstract Open Soft Green Field Persian Malayer Abrash Rug 47050

Soft Light Color Geometric Antique Chinese Peking Rug 46320

Small Antique Floral Hooked American Rug 72393

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