Jamshidi: A Distinguished Persian Carpet Family — Natural Dyes and Four Lineages

When I visited Qum, I was given the opportunity to meet the Jamshidi family. The younger generation showed me the designs they were working on, while veteran weavers shared old stories as they sorted through bundles of yarn. I vividly remember the day I was served dried fruit and tea, and shown the calloused fingers of the weavers.

In Japan, the name Jamshidi is almost synonymous with Qum silk carpets. However, those who visit the region regularly know that there isn't just one "Jamshidi" surname. Even with the same name, there are four different lineages, each with its own distinct artistic style.

Here, we will start with the journey of Mohammad Jamshidi, the head of the family, and then delve into the differences among the three branch lineages (Masoud, Abbas, and Ja'far). In Japan, "Jamshidi" is often used as a collective term, but when making a selection, it is crucial to ascertain which lineage it belongs to.

The Journey of Mohammad Jamshidi

The patriarch of the Jamshidi family is Mohammad Jamshidi. Born in the outskirts of Qum, he is said to have started working in weaving at the age of 12.

His initial training was at the workshop of a carpet merchant in Qum. This period, spanning many years, was when he mastered the basics of handling silk threads. Eventually, he established his own workshop and, by continuously weaving exclusively with 100% silk, the name "Jamshidi" became known to carpet enthusiasts worldwide.

Locally, he is repeatedly praised for his humility as a craftsman. His son, Masoud, also recounted that his father would never declare a finished piece "good enough," but would constantly seek ways to improve with the next one. The prestige of the main workshop's creations, I believe, is a result of this accumulated attitude.

Characteristics of the Main Lineage — The Depth of Color from Natural Dyes

The most significant characteristic of the main Mohammad lineage is its continued use of natural dyes, also known as plant dyes, for coloring. This is unique to the main workshop within the Jamshidi family, and is not necessarily followed by the three branch lineages.

The dyes used include indigo leaves, pomegranate peels, turmeric, madder, and walnut husks, among others. These are simmered using traditional methods, and the threads are immersed to absorb the color. Unlike the uniform coloring of chemical dyes, a characteristic of natural dyeing is the subtle variation in color from one thread to another, which gives the finished weave a distinctive texture with depth.

Another characteristic is the long weaving period. It is not uncommon for a single piece to take two people 18 months to complete. The signature woven into both ends is also known as a mark of the main workshop's status.

Branch Lineages — Masoud, Abbas, Ja'far

Besides the main lineage, there are three other major workshops that carry the Jamshidi name. Each has a different artistic style, which local artisans clearly distinguish. When Japanese customers tell me they are "looking for a Jamshidi carpet," I usually ask them, "Which lineage would you like to see?"

Masoud Jamshidi Workshop

This is the workshop of Mohammad's son, Masoud. It is known for works that incorporate historical Persian compositions. The impression is of robust and narrative-rich designs, often featuring ancient Persian royal palaces, ancient iconography personifying a mother river, and patterns applied to palace capitals.

The color palette is close to the main lineage's deep, traditional colors, and a comparison reveals that it follows the main lineage's style. However, the dyeing approach differs from the main lineage's natural dyes, and some works include synthetic dyes.

Abbas Jamshidi Workshop

This is the workshop of Mohammad's nephew, Abbas. It is said to be skilled in the aesthetic composition of colors, and its geometrically structured designs, combined with unique color choices like deep purple and lime green, are striking.

A characteristic of this workshop is its wide range of products, from large living room-sized pieces to small, intricately detailed entrance mats. Even small pieces often possess museum-grade density and are sometimes described as "a world held in the palm of your hand."

Ja'far Jamshidi Workshop

This workshop belongs to a different lineage from the main family, but because they share the same surname, they are sometimes confused in Japan. It is characterized by its original sense of color and astonishingly high weaving density. In terms of the number of colors used, it stands out among the Jamshidi family.

It excels at brilliant color schemes, often described as a "kaleidoscope of colors," and has a worldview distinct from the main family's calm color tones. Since the impression it creates in a room is vibrant, I feel it is a lineage that pairs well with modern spaces.

How to Distinguish the Styles

The trick to distinguishing the styles of the four lineages lies in three points: dyeing, color, and composition.

For dyeing, it's either natural dyes (the pillar of the main lineage) or synthetic dyes. Natural dyes have a natural depth of color and mellow over long use. Synthetic dyes are vibrant and uniform in color.

Regarding color schemes, the main lineage uses calm, traditional colors, Masoud uses powerful classical colors, Abbas uses intellectual purple/green tones, and Ja'far uses diverse and brilliant color schemes. When placed side by side, the differences become clear.

For composition, the main lineage uses classical court compositions, Masoud incorporates historical figures and buildings, Abbas blends geometry and curves, and Ja'far uses kaleidoscopic, multi-colored compositions. The choice of patterns reveals the individuality of each lineage.

Guidelines for Selection

When choosing a Jamshidi family rug, the first step is to ascertain "which lineage it belongs to." The price range also varies by lineage; if you're new to silk carpets and starting with an entrance mat size, an Abbas small piece is a good way to experience the density of silk.

If you prioritize natural dyes, choose the main lineage; for historical narrative, Masoud; for modern color schemes and compositions, Abbas; and for splendid colors, Ja'far. By considering the atmosphere of your home and the furniture you'll be pairing it with, you'll end up with a piece you'll regret less.

At Golestan, we source directly from each workshop of the Jamshidi family. The product pages clearly indicate the lineage, so if you're interested in a particular piece, please feel free to inquire by lineage name.