The most common material used to construct the pile, warp or weft of a traditional Persian Rug is sheep’s wool. As a naturally sourced material, it is sturdy, durable and absorbs dyes well.
Less common, but still prevalent, are rugs woven from goats’ hair. Yarn produced from goat hair makes a remarkable material for weaving and is frequently used in more traditional and tribal rugs, particularly of Kurdish origin. It can be used to construct the foundation of the rug or for the binding of the edges to prevent unraveling (selvedge). Though coarser and stiffer, it is longer than sheep’s wool and tends to be far shinier, creating pieces with a vivid appearance and attractive sheen. Processing can help it become finer and silkier. In fact, some of the finest and softest yarns are of goat hair, including cashmere (taken from the inner hair of the cashmere/kashmir goat) and mohair (taken from the Angora goat). Pashmina (another term for cashmere) and mohair rugs are truly luxurious pieces that can bring warmth that ordinary sheep’s wool cannot.
Goat hair, much like sheep’s wool, is believed to have been used for thousands of years, beginning at roughly the same time as when both goats and sheep were domesticated (circa 8000BC). Goat hair yarn does not have to be dyed, maintaining the original colour as it was on the animal.
A common rug that is woven from goats’ hair is the traditional kilim. This flatwoven floor cover has no pile. Traditionally hand woven goat hair kilims are thick and extremely durable, making them an ideal choice for heavily trafficked areas of the home.
If you’re interested in purchasing a goat hair Persian Rug, please contact us. We can help find the perfect Persian rug for your home.
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