Hamadan is a city in Iran's western provinces, some 300 kilometers west of Teheran. It is one of the world's oldest cities, and it is referred to as
Ecbatana. The city serves as a trading hub for rugs produced in large quantities in adjacent cities and villages, all known as Hamadan rugs. The best of these carpets are marketed under brand names, including
Nahavand,
Toyserkan, Malayer, and Hosseinabad. Hamadan is a generic term for more basic carpets from the region. Hamadan carpets from the past may be highly appealing. Carpets were made to a far better standard in the city of Hamadan. The carpets were known as Shahr-baff (Shahr=city, baff=knot) and had a structure similar to
Bidjar carpets, although they are now extremely uncommon.
The carpets are made of ropy, lustrous, and frequently natural colored handspun yarn, which gives a very durable surface and a stunning color spectrum. Among other Persian rug
styles, these carpets are currently created on a cotton warp with one weft, which is common to all of them. The designs are generally geometrical; however, there are also floral themes. The quality of the materials and design might vary considerably.
Wool wraps are used in older carpets (before 1920) instead of cotton warps used nowadays.