Armenian and Irano-Armenian (Armani-baf) Rugs: A Comparative Study

Armani-baf (Irano-Armenian Rug) is going to be thoroughly extinct. By the settlement of Armenians in some local provinces of Iran، preserving the original features of Iranian carpet and influenced by ancient Armenian tradition of carpet weaving، such carpets were woven at the period of Shah-Abbas، the Great. Having many cultural commonalities، Iranian and Armenian people have had a long lasting history of cultural and civilizational relations. So the features of their cultural traditions is clearly reflected in their wide range of art and craft styles. Even before the emigration of Armenians to Iran، carpet weaving has been a well-known craft among both mentioned people. Despite this، rather than Armenian tradition، the Irano-Armenian Rugs mostly represent the Iranian native tradition of carpet weaving. The analysis of this hypothesis is highly dependent on comparative study of two mentioned carpet weaving traditions، considering: design، color، and weaving specifications. Indeed here with a pragmatic approach the data، gathered through field (conversation) and library research، is analyzed on a descriptive-comparative basis.