The Bazaar, The Beautiful In Persian Rugs
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday October 15, 1997
Exclusive Rugs buys directly from the weavers to get better quality rugs at cheaper prices, writes KEN MATHERS.
PERSIAN rugs that dazzle the eye with their exquisite colours and intricate patterns cover the floors and walls of a new shop, Exclusive Rugs, in Crows Nest.
And the owner, Bijan Morshedizadeh, is, naturally enough, Persian born, with a love and knowledge of rugs since his childhood.
"Just call me Bijan," he said, smiling.
"When I was a kid my father worked for an oil company in Iran.
"Every Friday - Fridays are like Sundays here - he used to take me to the bazaars just to look at the rugs.
"He loved rugs, and he bought so many that my mother used to speak to him about it.
"We had so many rugs in the home they had to be placed one on top of the other."
To complete his education, Bijan went to America and graduated in chemical engineering in Oklahama State University in 1970.
He worked in the petroleum industry in America, then in Iran, and finally in Sydney as senior production engineer for an oil company.
On weekends he worked for a Northbridge Persian carpet gallery for seven years, at first part-time and later as manager.
After returning to Sydney this year from a holiday in Iran, he decided to set up his own rug business, and opened his Crows Nest gallery on September 6.
Listening to him explaining all the qualities and styles of rugs to customers in his gallery, it is easy to see he has found his real love. He kneels on the floor and peels off one rug after another from a large pile, taking a delight in explaining the virtues of each one.
"I buy directly from the weavers and try as much as possible to cut out the middle man to get better quality rugs at cheaper prices," Bijan said.
"I am selling here mainly Persian handmade rugs.
"Each handmade rug purchased here is backed by a certificate of authenticity."
"I have a very extensive range of hall runners from 1.2 metres long to 12 metres, ranging from tribal-made to very, very fine city weaves with silk inlay.
"The tribal ones are from different areas in Iran, woven mainly on horizontal looms.
"They have very naive patterns and very natural colours.
"The tribal ones all have a story to tell.
"They usually have the elements of nature such as trees, flowers, deer and goats.
"They are pure wool, but the city ones use finer wool.
"The city ones are very intricate, done by hand, but extremely fine, and the patterns are sophisticated and symmetrical with beautiful floral designs and central medallions.
"We have some pure silk ones from the city of Qum in Iran, which is famous for its silk work.
"The rugs I sell are suitable for every room, from the foyer to the bedroom - hanging on the wall or sitting on the floor, or on the stairs.
"I believe very much in giving service to my customers, including after-sales service, be it cleaning, washing, maintaining or repairing, or the restoration of antique rugs.
"I have a good selection of antique rugs at least 100 years old.
"When they were made the workers had nothing but pure vegetable dyes, which bring out that beautiful patina."
Bijan said he had to cater for the whole market, so he kept a section of his showroom for machine-made rugs with modern designs.
Asked about prices, he said one example was a good quality machine-made rug measuring 2.4 metres by 1.7 metres with an attractive design, for $159.
"A good Persian handmade rug of a size, say 2.6 metres by 1.5 metres would sell from $800," Bijan said.
Prices varied according to size, design, colour and the density of the rug as shown by the number of knots used in the weaving process.
"Silk rugs have as many as 450 knots per square inch," he said.
Exclusive Rugs, on the corner of Falcon and Alexander streets, Crows Nest, is open seven days a week, phone 9966 9999.
© 1997 Sydney Morning Herald
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