Shiraz

A Shiraz carpet (Persian: قالی شیراز‎) is a type of Persian rug made in the villages around the city of Shiraz, in the Iranian province of Fars. The designs tend to come from settled tribal weavers so they mimic Qashqai, Khamseh, Afshar, Abadeh and Luri designs. Since the weavers are using fixed looms the rugs tend to be larger and often coarser than their tribal counterparts. Shiraz rugs are not often very finely knotted, with both Qashqai and Abadeh both having a finer knot. Shiraz utilizes the Persian (asymmetrical) knot.

Shiraz is a city in the south west region of Iran, sited practically upon the old Persian Persepolis. Shiraz rugs are not usually made in a large factory, with the majority of them being woven by home weavers and taken into the main bazaar to be sold, most often, to traders who will group a sizeable range of these rugs and sell them to smaller traders or export them.

The design is geometric, sometimes featuring a pole medallion in the centre. Shiraz carpets use red and brown colors and often use diamond-shaped lozenges as the primary motif.

Borders often have smaller bands around a larger band with palm and pine leaf designs.

Some pieces feature Cyrus' white horse and the Shiraz is the only rug to depict nightingales which come in the form of angular shaped birds that are said to symbolise contentment and happiness.

Joshaghan

Joshaghan rugs are woven on cotton foundations with wool pile using Persian knots. Today, because of their high quality and limited production they are fairly expensive and considered to be good investments. Some of the high quality rugs from Joshaghan are sold under neighbouring towns and villages such as Maymeh. The design of Joshaghan rugs are generally made up with a diamond central medallion and all-over geometric floral motifs.

The main colour is mostly either deep red or deep blue with lighter colours making up the borders and motifs.

Kashan

A Kashan rug (Persian: قالی کاشان‎) is a type of Persian rug from the area of Kashan. Kashan is a city in Isfahan Province in North Central Iran. There was production of Persian carpet at Royal workshops in the 17th and early 18th century. The Persian carpet workshops ceased production in about 1722 after the Afghan invasion.

Persian carpet production was very minor until the 20th century. Historically, Kashan was a major center in the garment trade. In the late 19th century, the market shifted and the local industry went from fine wool cloth to fine wool carpets. High quality wool was sourced from Sabzevar.

Today, some of the best Kashans are from Ardistan and excellent ones are also produced in Yazd and Kashmar in Khorasan.