Curvilinear designs have floral motifs and patters, with curved outlines
and tendrils; rectilinear designs have geometric or angular motifs and
patterns. Both of these categories are classified by the type of
design or pattern which occupies the field: medallion, repeated motif,
all-over, and prayer.
Medallion
The medallion rug will have a field which is dominated by a central
medallion or by several medallions. The field surrounding the
medallion may be "open" (empty) or semi-open (filled with detached
floral sprays or other small motifs).
Repeated Motif
In a repeated design, the central field is filled with multiple rows of
the same motif. Among the repeated designs are the Mina Khani,
Guli Henna, Herati, Zil-i-soltan, Boteh, and Gul patterns.
MINA KHANI
The Mina Khani design is comprised of repeated floral motifs, each of
which is surrounded by four similar smaller flowers, joined in turn by
vines to form a diamond arrangement. The design is found in older
Bijars, occasionally in Hamadans and Kurds, and quite often in the
Veramin.
GULI HENNA
Guli Henna (henna flower) has small yellow plantlike motifs which
resemble stalks with many flowers and leaves, and are set in rows; each
motif is contained within a diamond-shaped bouquet. This pattern
is most often used in older rugs from the Hamadan and the Sultanbad
areas.
HERATI
The Herati pattern is the design used most often in the Persian rugs. It
consists of a rosette surrounded by four leaves or "fish" and generally,
though not necessarily, found inside a diamond shape ("lozenge") Bijar,
Ferahan and Hamadan weave the Herati design with the diamond;
Khurasan weaves it without the diamond.
ZIL-I-SOLTAN
The Zil-i-soltan design is made up of multiple rows of repeated mogifs,
each of which resembles a vase of roses. This design is found more
frequently in Qum and Abadeh; however, it is not restricted to those
areas.
BOTEH
The Boteh (paisley) design contains multiple rows of repeated botehs
(pine cones or pears). It is probably the most widespread pattern,
found in Persian, Caucasian and some Turkoman rugs. Botehs come in
different forms and shapes.
GUL
The Gul (Persian for "flower") is a distinctive recilinear emblem unique
to each Turkoman tribe. These multiple identical guls are
arranged in rows.
