Zollanvari carpets embody the spirit of carpet design and weaving – an extraordinary art form that has been treasured across the world for more than 2,000 years. This profound understanding of the splendour and profusion of the weaving aesthetic informs our carpet production, making it unique and timeless – qualities that have established the Zollanvari name as a global trail-blazer in creating carpet art for the past 75 years.
The story of Zollanvari began in 1947, when at a tender age Gholamreza Zollanvari joined his father’s carpet business, a legacy that had been handed down from his great grandfather. Initially he focused on the traditional products of nomadic people. Those colourful carpets with high pile, Gabbehs, were knotted only for use in homes as bedspreads and bedcovers. They were and are a vivid expression of the art and soul of the traditional weaving and aesthetic sensibility of nomadic tribes. Appreciation and demand for Gabbehs grew over the years. Gholamreza Zollanvari began working with the Ghashgha’i and Luri nomads to start weaving new Gabbehs with more contemporary designs.
In 1985 Gholamreza’s son Reza established the company in Zurich to directly access the European market. The company expanded in 1989 when the weaving began of large and room-size Gabbehs, using naturally dyed, hand-spun wool – a step now recognised as a milestone in the history of weaving. The ‘new’ Gabbehs exploded onto the world market, with fresh colours, sizes and patterns, woven to satisfy the demands of Western markets. Soon Gabbehs became synonymous with the Zollanvari name and the company’s innovative spirit. Gholamreza’s second son Hamid took over the original business where a second centre was built to house under one roof design, dyeing and warehousing. Washing, finishing, customer services and shipping were then located in a third facility. The sixth generation of Zollanvaris continues to be active in the family venture in Cape Town (South Africa) and Secaucus, NJ (USA).
The highest grade highland wool from the Zagros Mountains is used to weave Zollanvari carpets and flatweaves. The wool is very supple and ideal for rug making and it is traditionally hand-carded and hand-spun. Our pure silk carpets are woven using the most exquisite natural material such as organic indian silk. Our Isfahan carpets and some of our Baluch Soumak designs combine highland wools and pure Persian silks.
All Zollanvari products carry our Label and Warranty, which guarantee that all our carpets and flatweaves are made from hand-carded and hand-spun wool, dyed using the highest quality environmentally friendly vegetable dyes at our central headquarters to maintain consistent colour-quality, that they are woven by nomadic women and not children, and that each carpet is unique as each weaver has developed their own style, which can even differ from carpet to carpet.
We exclusively use natural dyes made from plants collected from the immediate vicinity of the nomadic weavers. Our main dyeing facility is second to none and is run by our Master Dyer whose knowledge and experience have been passed down to him through many generations in a family dedicated to the art of dyeing. Elsewhere, we have developed our own dyeing system using an optimum temperature that is not only highly environmentally friendly but also retains the integrity of the silk fibre, imparting a natural, healthy sheen to the surface of our carpets.
We are one of the only handmade carpet producers to be awarded the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Certificate for “handwoven carpets (rugs, gabbehs, kilims, and jajims) made from hand-spun sheep wool and traditionally dyed with herbal natural dyes”. Our products were granted a Class ll certificate, meeting the human-ecological requirements for products with direct contact to skin – a huge accolade as decoration/ furnishing items are normally given a Class IV certificate.
Zollanvari Ltd. (USA) is a certified Label STEP Fair Trade Partner. Label STEP’s comprehensive fair-trade standards encompass universal human rights, including the prohibition of child labour, working conditions, fair wages and eco-friendly production. Together, we support producer improvements while empowering weavers and workers through educational programs on health & safety and financial literacy. In doing so, we reinforce industry sustainability and help preserve age-old artisanal skills. Visit www.label-step.org for more information.
Our passion has always been for the artistic weavings of the nomadic people of the Zagros mountain region, where almost all our collections are woven. The art of carpet making has always exemplified the expression of a culture and a way of life, and as a result Zollanvari’s use of pattern, colour and symbolism has been constantly evolving. What sets us apart is the active encouragement our weavers are given to allow their own aesthetic sense to shine through the designs. Individual, expressive and unique carpets are the result.
Our washing and finishing facilities are recognised in the industry as being state-of-the-art. We are constantly seeking to reduce the consumption of water in the process, to decrease effluents in water from dyestuffs and thus permit easier water recycling.
The concept of a resource-efficient and sustainable production is deep rooted in our company and production tradition. We have endeavoured to revive old weaving techniques (some almost extinct) to encourage the diversity of weaving techniques and to develop new ones.
Zollanvari cultivates and nurtures extensive personal relationships with various nomadic tribes. Our carpet production distinguishes itself by a sensitive regard for the traditional way of life of the nomads and their natural environment. The company participates in the construction of hospitals and maternity units for the nomadic women, financially supports the construction of water pipes and winter quarters, donates heaters, sponsors the football team of a Ghashgha’i tribe, helps widows with small pensions and small loans, supports mobile teaching units for the education of nomadic children and employs older nomads, who can no longer weave, as spinners. The best weavers are given the opportunity to attend fairs and events to display their weaving skills. The weavers are paid for the carpets according to the knot counts and quality of the weave. There are bonuses for especially beautiful carpets or very large ones. Wages are relatively high allowing weavers a large degree of autonomy. As weavers, widowed and single women can remain independent with their own income – an empowerment that aids bolstering the position of women in society.
With its exquisite patterns and the finesse of its quality a Zollanvari carpet captivates and enhances the beauty of its surroundings. The vibrant colours and timeless designs we create combine perfectly with contemporary as well traditional interiors. When thoughtfully placed, our carpets impart a sense of space, vision and form to any setting. Zollanvari’s commitment to the creation of superior quality carpets and exclusive designs, while at the same time preserving the great heritage and art of carpet weaving, has not only established the brand as a leader in the global marketplace, but has also inspired us to push the boundaries of carpet design and weaving. As a result, we have won numerous worldwide accolades for the quality and individuality of our carpets. The spirit of innovation is thus writ large in the carpets and flatweaves created by Zollanvari.
Every member of the Zollanvari team is dedicated to providing the very best customer care. Over and above our extensive collections, which are also available in custom sizes and colour-ways, we offer unparalleled service for custom designs and a bespoke service for interior designers and architects.
