Ekbatan (Near Hamedan)
Ekbatan is an ancient name for Hamedan, a city in western Iran, which has been prominent
in several civilizations. Unlike the carpets from the surrounding villages, the 'Hamedan
town-weaves' as Ekbatan carpets are also called, are firmly and solidly woven and the
patterns are based on those of classic Persian carpets. Warps and wefts are cotton and
the pile is wool. They are commonly produced in a wide range of subtle colours.
Engsi - Four Gate of Paradise
The ENGSI was hang up on the inside of the door entrance of the oy, facing inwards. As on this ENGSI ,
long cords were braided at the top left and right hand corners of the rug from the remaining warp
threads already in place on the loom. These were then used for hanging the rug. Majority of engsis
which were taken on purchased from the Turkmen had their cords cut off because they were inconvenient
on the floor which of course , they were not designed for thus few survive with cords today.
The symbolic meaning of this four-panelled design is believed to represent the 'four gardens of
Paradise' with the lower wide horizontal border representing the sky door or vault of the sky, the
entrance to paradise. The small pentagon shape in the upper inner border represents a power and fertility
symbol referred to as the 'kejebe'. This five sided shape can be seen in many Turkmen weavings such as
the asmalyk itself which is a large pentagonal shaped decoration for the camel carrying a bride to her wedding.
