What is Geba? The difference between rugs and rugs + types of rugs and prices

Gabbeh is a type of traditional underlay that is woven with natural fibers such as animal wool and silk. This carpet is the art of the nomads of different regions of Iran and depicts the culture, customs and history of Iran. The nomads weave the gabe with the power of imagination and inspiration from the elements of nature and life. This rug is sold at a high price due to its high quality and hand-woven. In addition to Iran, Gebeh is famous and popular in many countries of the world.

What you should know about Gaba:

what is gaba

Gebeh is one of the types of traditional Iranian rugs that the nomads produce by hand. The beans are of good quality; Because wool, goat hair, sheep and silk are used to weave them. Gebeh is also known as “nomadic carpet” and “Khorsek carpet”; But in fact, khorsek is a kind of gebe, which is woven by the Bakhtiari tribe.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

Currently, in different dictionaries, gabe is interpreted as thick and rough; But in the past, Gebeh was known with other meanings such as ugly, ugly, ordinary and protective; However, the original meaning of gaba is raw, natural or untouched.

The origin of Geba

Unfortunately, there is no accurate information about the origin of the art of weaving; However, it is possible that weaving dates back to the first humans. According to the researchers, the first nomads, using the wool of domestic animals, produced the first blankets so that the cold of the earth does not penetrate into their bodies.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

In general, the origin of Gebe goes back to Iran. In the historical documents of Iran, the word Geba was mentioned for the first time in 1540 AD and the Safavid period. According to an existing tradition, one of the Indian kings, Homayun Gurkani, had sought refuge in Iran and Safavid Shah Tahmasab for political reasons. Shah Tahmasb also gave a unique welcome to Homayun Gurkani. This Safavid ruler ordered to spread various mats in the hall to welcome the Indian king, one of which was called Gebeh.

Fars province was one of the first regions in which the art of weaving was flourished. According to documents, weaving in Fars province dates back to 150 years ago. Gabeh weaving is very popular among the nomads of this province, i.e. Khamsa, Mamsani, Bakhtiari and Qashqai. Especially the dark “Ard Kapan” flour from the “Ameleh” clan of the Qashqai tribe is famous in the fabric of Geba.

The Qashqai tribe of Fars province has great expertise in the weaving of gebeh

Among the other sources of the art of weaving in Iran, we can mention Khorasan, Dogonbadan, Bashet, Cheshme Balqis and Cheram in Kohgiluyeh city, Barazjan and Shul and Deh Kohaneh villages in Bushehr city. Gebeh of Shul Gnaveh village has many fans and buyers in the world markets.

The features of Geba

Gobs have long hairs; Sometimes the height of the hairs reaches two centimeters. The number of weaves of these underlays is also high; So that three to eight and sometimes up to 14 stitches are woven in each row.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

At first, gabes were woven in black, white, gray, brown, milk and cream colors; Because nomads could only get these natural colors from animal wool; But with the passage of time, the nomads used other vegetable colors in addition to neutral colors, each color has a special meaning. As an example, yellow color symbolizes youth, freshness and homeland; Blue color means faith, peace and immortality; Green color symbolizes nature, moderation and peace, and red color represents truth, life and excitement. The process of dyeing the rugs is done with natural color; Therefore, this type of underlay does not harm human health.

Gabbes are woven without a plan and mentally and are placed in the category of heavy weight rugs. In fact, on average, the weight of one square meter of hand-woven fabric reaches three kilograms; Because thick and long woolen threads are used in them. Weavers usually weave gabes in sizes of 2 to 6 meters.

The difference between rug and carpet

Carpets have more wefts than carpets. The rug is softer, heavier and smaller than the carpet. Also, rugs, unlike carpets, have a coarser texture and longer pile. You can see many patterns in the carpet; while fewer motifs are used in Geba. Weavers weave carpets on a vertical loom and gebe on a horizontal loom or ground loom.

_{Photo source: Wikimedia site; Photographer: Amin Faezi}

The difference between a blanket and a rug

Weavers weave carpets based on ready plans or mental designs; But the threads are always woven abstractly and the artist does not see any map.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

The rug does not have fluff and fluff, and in fact, its texture is two-dimensional and similar to carpet; But the piles can be easily seen and this type of mattress has a three-dimensional texture. The design of the carpet mostly follows geometric and regular motifs; But in Geba, the design variety is more.

In general, gabe is thicker, warmer and softer, cheaper and heavier than glim. Also, more colors are used in the carpet than in the hand-woven carpet. Both carpets and rugs are woven below 6 meters; But usually the rugs are bigger than the gabbas.

What is a car boot?

Unlike hand-woven fabrics, machine fabrics are produced at a high speed in the factory. Synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyester and propylene are usually used in their preparation; For this reason, machine-made carpets are sold at a cheaper price than hand-woven carpets. The machine-made nature of these types of beads makes them have a regular design and texture. Machine piles are often 320 to 440 combs. These types of rugs, unlike hand-woven rugs, have lower weight, less thickness, and more diverse designs.

_{Photo source: Farshkhone website; Photographer: Unknown}

Types of gabe

Gabbes are divided into five different categories based on “texture type”, “production method”, “production area”, “design and carving” and “combination with other arts”.

Gabbe in terms of texture type

Artists weave gabes in two ways: Persian weaving and Turkish weaving; However, Persian weaving is more popular in the production of gebe. In Persian weaving, the knots are asymmetrical and in Turkish weaving, the knots are symmetrical.

Gabe in terms of production method

Gabbes are divided into hand-woven and machine-made in terms of production method. Hand-woven rugs are called underlays that people weave by hand. Machine work is a substructure that is produced by machines and devices.

Machine-made gabbas have less spiritual value than hand-woven gabbas; Therefore, a car seat is more suitable for people who have small children or pets.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

Gabe in terms of production area

Gabhbafi is popular in many regions of Iran. The artists of each region also weave gabe in a unique way.

• Qashqai: The Qashqai tribesmen in the south of the country, especially in Fars province, weave cloths called Qashqai. The artists of these regions often create geometric designs on the walls.
• Balochi: Balochi gabes are specific to southeastern cities of Iran such as Sistan and Baluchistan. Warm colors and geometric patterns are used in the texture of these rugs.
• You did: In the Kurdish regions of Iran, such as Kermanshah and Kurdistan, Kurdish gebe is produced with human and animal designs.
• Larry: The people of Lorestan cities like Lorestan and Khuzestan produce Gebe Lori. In these caves, you can see designs of nature and village life.
• Turkmen: The fabric of the Turkmen gebe is popular in the northeastern cities of Iran and the Turkmen population. Turkmen artists use special designs in the fabric of these rugs that represent Turkmen culture.

Gabe in terms of design

Although gabba weaving is done mentally, most weavers use similar designs for gabba weaving; But at the same time, each gab has its own unique details.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

• Milk design: Weavers weave the image of a lion in some gabes. In Iranian culture, the lion is a symbol of greatness and shock, and in Islam, it is a symbol of sobriety and courage.
• Design of pond or tranj: In the design of the pond, you can see a design of bergamot, which is located in the middle of the design. The surrounding of this bergamot is also decorated with petals, buds, etc.
• Brick or frame plan: Adobe houses with many frames are called. Usually there are different or same patterns inside these boxes. The patterns used in this design include all kinds of geometric patterns, stars, birds, trees and flowers.
• Tree design: Weavers usually weave a pattern of Majnoon willow or cypress on the gabe. Majnoon willow tree is a symbol of sadness and cypress tree is a symbol of joy and happiness.
• The plan of the house together: The walls of the house of Dareh depict images from the beginning to the end of life. In fact, these types of gabes represent mystical concepts.
• Simple floor plan: The simple floor plan is actually a symbol of simple country houses and unproductive farmland.
• The plan of four seasons: The design of the four seasons is called a painting whose design includes four frames with the image of the four seasons of the year. Sometimes, instead of dividing the fabric into four parts, the artist weaves a tree in the center and draws the four seasons of the year with thread and wool on its leaves.

Combined cages

Sometimes artists combine weaving with other arts and create a special work.

Some rugs are double-sided and are used as blankets

• Blanket blanket: Blankets with a lot of weft and long pile are called blanket blankets. These types of gabes are soft and two-sided; Therefore, they use them as blankets.
• Galim Geba: Galim Gebeh or “Gamcheh” as the local term is, is a combination of the art of carpet weaving and gebebafi. Weavers weave the Gebe rug using wool. The background of this type of underlay is like a carpet. Among its special features, we can mention the embossed motifs and curved designs.
• Carpet rug: Carpet rug is the most delicate type of rug and is called a rug that the artist weaves with a small weft and short pile. In fact, there are maximum three wefts in each row.

Advantages and disadvantages of Gaba

In general, the advantages of Geba are more than its disadvantages. In order to benefit from the benefits of these underlays, you should pay attention to points such as the quality of the fibers and the naturalness of their color when purchasing. To determine the naturalness of the color, draw a wet and white handkerchief on the forehead. If the handkerchief gets dyed, it means that artificial dye has been used in it.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

The advantages of gabes

Gebe is not just a simple underlay; Because it has other benefits besides covering the floor.

• Beauty: Ghabhs with different designs and colors decorate the space of the house and give it beauty and originality. In addition to traditional designs, modern designs are also produced. For this reason, people with any taste can use Geba for home decoration.

Ceilings can act as sound insulation

• Resistance: Gabbas last a long time. In fact, Gebeh can last for years without changing its appearance.
• The level of comfort: The rugs are soft and soundproof. Therefore, these types of floors can be a suitable option for apartment houses.
• Heat: Due to their high thickness and long hairs, they prevent the cold of the ground from penetrating the body and have a great effect on keeping the environment warm.

Disadvantages of donkeys

Sometimes, issues such as price and maintenance conditions discourage people from buying Geba.

• Dimensions: Gabes are usually produced in small sizes.
• Price: High-quality clothes have a high price and it is not possible for all sections of the society to buy them.
• Maintenance: Usually, small particles and dust easily go into the fluff. That’s why it is difficult to clean and sweep the ghebs. Also, the bulbs should not be exposed to sunlight and in a humid place. Sunlight causes the color of the tree to turn pale, and moisture causes it to rot. Washing the toilet should also be entrusted to experts.

price

Many factors play a role in determining the price of Gaba. Some of the most important ones include size, type of thread, weight, elegance and complexity of the pattern, type of texture and place of texture. On average, in 1403 solar year, a half-meter hand-woven rug is sold at a price of about 400,000 to 2,000,000 Tomans, and a 6-meter hand-woven rug is sold at a price of about 22,000,000 to 110,000,000 Tomans.

_{Photo source: Iran Gebe website; Photographer: Unknown}

Do you have experience using Geba? We will be happy to write your experiences about the advantages, disadvantages and how to maintain Gebe for the companions of Kajaro.

_{Photo source: Wikimedia site; Photographer: Amin Faezi}