about
Peace Industry Felt Rugs
Melina and Dodd Raissnia of Peace Industry own and operate their own workshop in Iran where they have perfected the best methods for producing the highest quality felt rugs, all of which are designed by Melina. The method is a revitalization of the oldest rug tradition from Iran that had been on the verge of extinction. For a look at the process watch our 15-minute film. You can also read an essay on the subject by Melina Raissnia for Turkotek.com.
Peace Industry felt rugs are made from 100% lamb's wool and natural dyes. They are hand-made in small batches insuring that each piece is unique and exceptional in quality. They are earth-friendly, chemical-free, and fair trade. Custom colors and sizes are available.
An ancient craft revitalized
In 1999 Dodd brought Melina a small felt rug after returning from a trip to Iran. Her fascination with it led to a quest to find the people who made them. When Melina and Dodd Raissnia arrived in Tehran in 2002 in search of this obscure tradition they had no information that would dictate where or how their journey would begin. That is because the felt rug tradition in Iran, though ancient, has remained undocumented and almost unknown by the international textile and rug community.
They began their search at the main bazaar in Tehran where hundreds of thousands of Persian rugs are sold. Not only were there no felt rugs available but no one had any idea where they could be found. From Tehran they traveled to nomadic mountain camps and villages finding clues but running out of time. After several more trips and countless glasses of tea they found a small number of villages where a few old men were practicing the ancient art of felt making. It became apparent that this ancient and unknown tradition would die out quickly if nothing changed.
The tradition of felt rugs began in Iran in the Neolithic age. It spanned the nomadic mountain regions from Turkey to Mongolia where nomads live in felt covered tents. This is the only region in the world with a tradition of felt carpets because of the type of wool available that produces an extremely strong felt. The Central Asian nomadic tradition is the most known and incorporates primitive motifs from the Zoarastrian religion like spirals, rams horns, and waves. There is little known about the Persian adaptation of this nomadic art form. The Raissnias have found pieces that they believe represent a once popular style in Iran but don't really know how long the tradition enjoyed popularity amongst urbanized Iranians.
