abbeh is a hand-woven pile rug characterized by an abstract design that relies upon open fields of colour and playful geometry. Gabbehs are woven by tribal women and are principally used as ‘bedding blankets’ by the nomadic tribes of the Zagros Mountains of Iran. Zollanvari is an established name as a global trail-blazer in creating carpet art and distinguishes itself by a sensitive regard for the traditional way of life of the nomads and their natural environment.

The extensive use of geometrical and abstract patterns together with the vivid colours naturally dyed has analogies with the studies and learnings coming from the Bauhaus; in particular, with one of its key masters, Josef Albers. He studied in depth the interaction of colour and human perception. His paintings and artworks with the square reminds us of the geometries on Gabbehs’ carpets and the colour interaction between the single elements weaved into them.

Inspired by the studies of Josef Albers on the square, we’ve chosen few iconic designs from the Qashqa’i and simplified them using squares and triangles. The lion, the peacock , woman and man are the main elements we’ve drawn into the new collection of carpets, merging the style of weaving with the drawings. The second step was to work on the interaction of colours; red madder and indigo blue with a shade of rose gave birth to ‘Heritage’ the first carpet from the new collection – ochre, ruby and plum feature ‘Sunrise’ and the shades of sea and green were chosen for ‘Reflections’.

A new graphic language but respecting the tradition of these unique carpets weaved by 'those who walk in the wilderness'.