The Carpet Museum of Iran, one of the must-see museums in Tehran

There are some valuable items in each country that makes people of the region be proud of, and Persian Carpet with a history of thousand years is one of those in Iran. Among all the places in the country to visit and learn about this magnificent art, the carpet museum of Tehran is the best place to learn about the history, different types of carpets, and carpet weaving.

You will also understand the pattern, color, and material which every district use.

In this article, we are going to talk about the Carpet Museum of Iran, one of the must-see museums in Tehran in details and give you information on different aspects of both the museum and Persian Carpet.

History of the museum

In 1979, the Carpet Museum of Iran opened by Empress Farah Pahlavi. The museum building resembles the carpet-weaving loom which is constructed on two floors to display different types of carpets, kilims, and handmade rugs.

The main purpose of opening this museum was to develop the art of carpet-weaving and collecting all types of carpets from all over the country. As a result, the museum became an excellent source of research about carpets for all culture and art lovers.

The architecture of the museum

The museum was designed by architect Abdul-Aziz Mirza Farmanfarmaian. The perforated structure around the museum's exterior is designed both to resemble a carpet loom and to cast shade on the exterior walls, reducing the impact of the hot summer sun on the interior temperature.

The two-story building of the museum has two main halls, one for displaying over 150 types of Persian carpets and one for different temporary and seasonal exhibitions.

Collection of carpets at the museum

The first-floor hall is a permanent exhibition where carpets display in chronological sequence, working in an anticlockwise direction, beginning with a replica of the Pazyryck rug (c5th century BCE, the oldest known knotted carpet found in Siberia in the 1940s, now held in The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia).

It includes fine examples of the 16th and the 17th centuries during Safavid Era. The impact of European art on the 19th-century carpets can be seen on the pattern of carpets.

The second floor belongs to temporary exhibitions of carpets or carpet-related subjects.

There are more than 100 pieces dating from the 17th century to the present day which makes it the largest place to see a full range of regional patterns and styles founded in Iran. Some of the patterns are very unique, such as the Tree of Life with Kings and Notables.

There is also an invaluable library with more than 7000 books to help researchers and enthusiast. At the movie-house, directories in the field of knotting carpet and designing kilim motifs can be watched. To preserve the carpet-related arts and techniques, the museum offers different courses for teaching carpet making, designing, repairing and darning.

The Carpet Museum of Iran holds the largest treasure of priceless carpets the world over, especially with catalogs and descriptions in Persian and English explaining each artifact.

Traditional skills of carpet weaving in Kashan

Traditional skills of carpet weaving in Kashan is one of the most fabulous Iranian fine arts. The "traditional skills of carpet weaving" in Fars Province and Kashan City were inscribed as Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists of UNESCO in 2010.

People of Kashan have been famous for carpet weaving and silk weaving for centuries and that is why some of the patterns use in carpet weaving originated in this city.

According to the historical evidence, the Sialk Historical Hill is the origin of traditional skills of carpet weaving in Kashan.

Address and Opening hours:

Address: At the crossroad of North Kargar Street, and Dr. Fatemi Street, Tehran

Phone: (+98 21) 8896 2703

Visiting days and hours: Every day 09:00 – 17:00

Closed on Public Holidays