Mat-weaving in Iran
Mat-weaving is undoubtedly one of the oldest and perhaps the oldest type of handicraft. The samples found in Mesopotamia and Africa indicate that mat-weaving and weaving of baskets are the origin of textiles and pottery. Professor Arthur Upham Pope believed that humans initially made use of straws and plants that grew in Mesopotamian marshlands in order to make something similar to a mat which is considered as the first step for humans to gain access to methods used for the production of rugs.
Hence, it can be said that the primitive rugs were made of mats and regardless of caves, the very early shelters were created using mats and straws.
One will come across people weaving mats and baskets in different parts of Iran particularly in the northern and southern parts of the country wherever palm tree leaves and wheat straws are available. In this way, the industry has been more prosperous in the provinces of Sistan & Baluchistan, Khouzestan, Kordestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khorasan, Kerman, Yazd, Fars, Mazandaran, Gilan, East Azarbaijan and Tehran.
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Khatamkari: Artistic Heritage
Iranian Art:Mina-kari
