Persian Gabbeh with Double Diamond Pattern and Single Diamond Border

Two crosses, one gray, one chocolate. Neither weaver nor rug saw any need to match.

This Gabbeh comes from Persia, present day Iran, early to mid 20th century, and is made of wool. The name is usually taken to mean something rough or uncut, and these thick, loosely patterned rugs were woven by nomadic and village weavers mainly for home use. Here a double diamond motif stacks two stepped crosses on a cream field, each with a golden diamond at its heart. Single dark diamonds march around the border. Seventy inches long and fifty-four wide.

The last row of diamonds goes small and pale. No explanation is offered.