Persian Natural Dyes for Hand Spun Wool in Oriental Rugs

At Nomad Rug Gallery we select the finest handmade and hand knotted rugs from around the world, specialising in Oriental Rugs here in our showroom at 6830 N Glenwood, Boise Idaho 83714.  All our rugs have been naturally dyed and use hand spun wool and or fine silk. We do not have machine made, machine dyed, or machine spun carpets in our gallery.

We offer 2 types of fine rugs, Nomadic Rugs and City Made rugs. Nomadic rugs are made from families that make the rug as they go, no patterns, mistakes are natural and provide uniqueness to the carpet bringing an extra layer of authenticity to each piece. Symbols are created throughout the rug that symbolise the makers intent. For example, a rooster or goat is a wish for a son and a chicken for a girl.  City Made rugs are made in a factory style setting where a pattern is followed with no mistakes but still maintain the hand made and natural elements that Nomadic rugs have. 

The Sheep are sheared, and the wool is processed by washing and drying and then hand spun into balls of wool. Hand spun wool is stronger and more textured than machine spun wool adding to the longevity of fine Oriental Rugs. 

Modern Persian natural dyes are plant based and can also use insects like the Kermis, where the whole body is used due its concentration of red pigments. Plants are harvested at the correct time of year, typically end of summer and are then hand processed by cutting, drying in the sun and then being ground up. This process makes vegetal dyes soluble in water. 

The ground vegetal or insect material is added to water in large pots and heated over a fire. The first boil is when the wool receives its deepest colouring, being boiled for 2-3 hours and then washed. This process is repeated several times, with combinations of vegetal colours and other processes until the final wash is done and then the wool is dried in the sun making it a superior colourfast wool. This explains why masterpieces are displayed in museums from over 500 years ago that maintain vibrancy of the colour.  

All types of local plants are used however the backbone of dying is from the roots of Runas (Madder), a plant that grows across Persia with the highest quality in deserts. Over 17 colours can be created from Runas including reds, oranges, pinks, purples, browns, greens and the highly used crimson. 

Other natural dyes have been made from shrubs called Indigofera plants that after fermentation creates Indigo. Indigo has a deep blue colour and can be turned to greens with oxidization (exposure to air) or sometime metallic compounds are used to create variations. Beetroot and wild blackberry create deep burgundies. Flecks of iron can create dark greens. Skins of walnuts are used to make blacks and browns. Wheat husks provide yellow, as can grape leaves and saffron. Aubergine (eggplant) makes browns and pomegranate peels for various reds. 

Cream colour is traditionally the natural colour of the wool. In fact camel hair can be used to heighten the cream colour by using the belly hair on the camel which is a darker cream and the back of the camel is lighter due to constant exposure to sun.  Some of our unique pieces have goat hair used in the outer border as it provides genuine protection from scorpions and snakes. Every piece has a story and a uniqueness and quality that will last generations. 

We hope this article will help you understand “what is a Persian natural dye?” including processes and materials. We invite you to come and see our Oriental rug gallery where we provide a relaxing environment and a glass of hot Persian saffron and cardamom tea.