Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Davood Shadlou ¹
• Amin Iranpour ²
• Hojat-allah Reshadi ³

¹ Assistant Professor of Department of Carpet, Shiraz University of Arts, Shiraz, Iran,

² Assistant Professor of Department of Islamic Art, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran,

³ Instructor and Faculty Member of Department of Carpet, Arak University, Arak, Iran,

Abstract

In the middle of the Qajar period, multinational companies took over the Iranian carpet industry. These companies ceased to operate when World War I began. Thus, by the beginning of the Pahlavi period, the conditions were ripe for ousting multinational companies. Subsequently, with governmental support, Iranian manufacturers established rug-weaving workshops in many cities, including Qazvin, where several carpet companies commenced working, the most famous of which were "Qazvin’s Etemaad Company’s Carpet Weaving Workshop" and "Salamat". The aim of this research is to identify the socioeconomic settings in which carpet weaving companies formed in Qazvin during the above-mentioned period, as well as studying their development process. The authors have tried to answer these questions: What social and economic backgrounds led to the foundation of Qazvin’s rug-weaving companies? How were carpet production’s process and methods in these companies? The research is done with a sociohistorical approach and with qualitative analysis of oral data and first-hand documents. The results show that between 1918 and 1950 weaving high-quality carpets became prosperous in Qazvin, due to various factors like its proximity to Tehran and important rug-weaving centers, the assembly of investors, and governmental supports. But the American recession, and World War II, reduced the demand in Western markets; therefore, carpet production was also reduced. After the Russian squad’s arrival in Qazvin, Etemaad almost ceased to operate. Being afraid of the financial support of Qazvini notables for sociopolitical movements, the Russians exiled Etemaad’s founders to Baku in 1942. Despite the efforts made after that by some certain producers, the carpet production of Qazvin was over by the beginning of the 50s. In the course of sociopolitical changes, the workshop rug of Qazvin also evolved. In weaving techniques and artistic aspects (design, pattern and color), Qazvin rugs followed neighboring rug-weaving centers, such as Kashan and Sarouq.

Keywords

• Qazvin Rug
• Qazvin Carpet
• Rug Weaving Companies
• Mirza Saleh Khan Asif al-Doulah
• Etemaad Company
• Salamat Factory

Main Subjects

• socialhistory and art

Extended Abstract

The Social and Economic Backgrounds and the Formation Process of Rug Weaving Companies in the City of Qazvin

Introduction: In the midst of Qajar dynasty, there was a high demand for buying eastern carpets in Western countries, but Iranian producers could not supply this demand. Some multinational companies invested on the carpet industry of Iran and managed its production and sale. Economically and politically, the Qajar government could not take the monopoly of carpet production and trade from foreigners, as a result, these companies remained active up to Pahlavi dynasty. The First World War (1914-1918 AC) weakened their activities, and the economic lockdown of the United States made them even weaker. Between the years 1915 to 1930, most of these companies left Iran. Therefore, during the first Pahlavi period, the conditions were created to get rid of multinational companies. Some producers and merchants took profit from the weakness of these multinational companies and established their own private carpet-weaving companies between the years 1919 to 1930 in different cities of Iran, and the government supported them. In Qazvin, for instance, some carpet weaving companies were producing carpets, and their products are known both in Iran and in other countries. This research is to recognize the economic and social grounds and also the processes of these companies’ formation during the stated period.

About the literature of this research, Hosuri (2016) briefly introduced Etemad Carpet Company and stated that in the year 1989, he spotted some of their carpets in the Shahzadeh Hussain tomb. Shadlou et al. (2010) have analyzed the design, pattern, and color of carpets of Qazvin province by separating the geography of the texture of the region, identifying their roots and their characteristics. This research project is devoted to the history of carpet weaving in the city of Qazvin, especially Etemaad and Salamat workshops. Also, a system for classifying carpets from the point of view of design, pattern, weaving techniques, and coloring of urban and rural carpets of Qazvin province has been presented. Javaheri (2008) has studied the reason of carpet-weaving demolishment in the current era. Nasiri (2004) relates the history of Qazvin’s carpet weaving to the Safavid dynasty, but he has no clue. Muhammad Siahha (2004) studies the historical background of hand-woven carpets in Qazvin, but his data is not enough. Asefzadeh (1994) has briefly reviewed the establishment of the first carpet weaving workshops in Qazvin during the Pahlavi dynasty. Considering the literature just reviewed, it seems that the information about carpet weaving companies and the grounds of their formation is critically low. The information is at times inaccurate or incomplete. This actually unveils the necessity of this research.

Methodology: The research method is descriptive-analytical and its approach is social history. The method of collecting information is combined (relying on oral data and historical first-hand documents) and its tools are questionnaires and interviews. The research community consisted of documents and people who had detailed information about the historical period of the research. Almost all available specimens and individuals are referred to. The data analysis method is qualitative.

Discussion and Conclusion: At the end of Qajar period, some carpet weaving companies in Qazvin, the most well-known of which are “The Carpet Weaving Company of Etemad” and “Salamat” produced and merchandised carpets. Due to being close to the capital and important centers of carpet weaving, and the gathering of investors and the support of the government, the carpet weaving industry grew in Qazvin and it became a center of highly qualified carpets. After this successful experience in centralized carpet weaving, other investors came to the carpet production industry. Due to the economic problems of war in Europe and the United States, these productions became decentralized. With the second world war and the entrance of Russian soldiers to Qazvin, The Etemad company stopped its production. In the year 1943, some investors including the Heads of carpet-weaving companies were exiled to Baku, because the Russians were afraid they might support political-social movements. After the events of Shahrivar, 1942, the carpet weaving industry practically disappeared. Some producers made some efforts until the year 1952, but it ended in nothing. It should be mentioned that the urban carpet of Qazvin between 1297 and 1330, both in terms of weaving techniques and in terms of artistic quality (design, pattern, and color) received many influences from the carpet weaving of neighboring regions), in the course of social and political transformations. It is suggested that in future research, the reasons that caused the failure of carpet production in the second Pahlavi period should be addressed. Also, the study of the carpet weaving situation in Qazvin in the contemporary period is a subject that has not been addressed much.

Keywords: Qazvin Rug, Qazvin Carpet, Rug Weaving Companies, Mirza Saleh Khan Asif al-Doulah, Etemaad Company, Salamat Factory.