A Study of Qa'inat Carpets Based on the Historical Documents in the Archives of Astan Quds Razavi

Qa'inat has been one of the principal carpet-weaving centres in Iran through the history. Studying the historical documents in the Archives of Astan Quds Razavi which relate to the supply and maintenance of the carpets in the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the names of some regions such as Qa'in, Birjand and Dorokhsh are observed. These regions are important carpet-weaving centres in the Qa'inat.
Considering the historical significance of Qa'inat in the history of carpet-weaving in Iran and the ambiguities in its weavings before 1870, the findings of this article will complete the current information on the history of carpet in the south of Khorasan during Safavid, Afshar and Qajar periods. This research work is aimed primarily at studying Qa'inat carpets from 1022 to 1340 AH (1613-1921 CE), their variety and distinctive features i.e. designs, motifs and dimensions based on the historical documents in the Archives of Astan Quds Razavi. This historical research work, which is both library and documents research. illustrates that felts and carpets have been two of the most well-known handicrafts of this region from Safavid to the late Qajar periods. It also depicts that Qa'in has been one of the most important carpet-weaving centres in Iran, in which weaving large and extra-large rugs and carpets with an urban style was commonplace.