If you've lived in the Middle East for any period of time, odds are you have been surrounded at least once by billions of threads made from wool, cotton and silk. With a glass of steaming tea cupped in your hands, you watch as the salesperson tosses shimmering tassels into the spotlight. Slowly, Iranian carpets form a colourful mound at your feet.
Since moving to the UAE more than two years ago, Attif Hellal, the owner of Tabriz Carpet Exhibit, has presented me with hundreds of carpets at his shop in Sharjah's Blue Souk. And every time he describes one, declaring its age, origin and design, I nod my head knowingly, convinced that, this time, I shall finally commit the information to memory.
But in reality, it takes a great deal of experience to identify the finer points of these intricate rugs.
With dozens of types and designs, and centuries of history, these Iranian masterpieces are as mysterious as they are beautiful, with the slightest details determining whether they're worth the coins in your pocket or a several months' salary.
With the help of Mr Hellal, Personal Finance unravels three hand-made Persian carpets.
Origin Spun in the small town of Nain, in the centre of Iran, this simple carpet is no more than five to 10 years old, and measures 120cm by 200cm.
Allure Splashed with dark, earthy colours, the fabric feels rough to the touch. That's because just 25 per cent of the material is silk, while the rest is a blend of wool and cotton. The wool, Mr Hellal explains, has been taken from the back of a larger sheep, making the fibres coarse. "This is the biggest difference between carpets - the material inside," he says. The strands have been woven at just 300 to 350 knots per inch, which partly accounts for the low resolution and unexceptional colour. Also, on this specimen there is no signiture or name stitched along the edge. Premium carpets made by well-known families will always have this detail woven into the fabric.
Unravelled This Nain features the classic medallion motif, a traditional Arabic design inspired by the domes of mosques. With lower grade material and poor detail, it won't serve as your home's showpiece. But this carpet is ideal for hallways, and its tough exterior will pass the test of time.
Origin The city of Qom is located in the north of the country, not far from Tehran, the capital of Iran. This piece is about 30 to 40 years old, and runs 130cm by 220cm.
Allure Like sunlight breaking on waves, this Persian carpet shimmers as its unrolled before you. No wonder - it's made of pure silk. "Qom should always be 100 per cent silk, with blind eyes," Mr Hellal says. "But sometimes they put wool or plastic in it. You need to check how smooth and clear it is."
With a red-brick border framing whites, blues and greens, the material is so smooth you can literately wrap yourself up for an afternoon snooze.
Meanwhile, unlike the Nain, the back is almost as soft of the front, which is considered one of the hallmarks of premium-grade carpets. Another indicator is the signiture along the edge, certifying that its been expertly spun by a noteable Iranian family.
Unravelled As a symbol, the boteh design, named after the Farsi word for immature flower, has a wide interpretation, resembling the flame, pine cone and tear drop. It's shine, colour and smoothness makes it appropriate as a prized wall hanging rather than a floor covering.
Origin Isfahan, Iran's third-largest city, has long been one of the country's foremost centres for Persian rugs. This hand-made masterpiece is at least 50 to 60 years old, and measures an impressive 170cm by 270cm.
Allure Every stitch of the carpet pops. While it might feel like you're wearing 3D glasses, the effect is purely natural, with an incredible 1,000 knots or more per inch. Comprising 75 per cent silk and 25 per cent wool, only the finest quality materials were used.
"The wool comes from young lambs," Mr Hellal says. "It's taken from the legs and shoulders, where it rarely rubs against anything or exposed to the sun." Similar to the Qom, the material is extremely smooth and shiny, and the visual display of reds, browns and blues will change depending on your vantage point. The creation is crowned at the top with the name of the city and family, and framed on either side by the Iranian flag.
Unravelled Covered with larger-than-life roses, and interwined with green and blues vines, this work of art would be a dazzling showpiece in any home.
The striking combination of both silk and wool lends it more durability, making it destined for your dining room floor.
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
more from Janine di Giovanni
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Racecard
6.35pm: The Madjani Stakes – Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.10pm: Evidenza – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,200m
7.45pm: The Longines Conquest – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 2,000m
8.20: The Longines Elegant – Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
8.35pm: The Dubai Creek Mile – Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.30pm: Mirdif Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,400m
10.05pm: The Longines Record – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,900m
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Kolkata Knight Riders 245/6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 214/8 (20 ovs)
Kolkata won by 31 runs
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
