Haghighi

The classical Isfahan school

The Haghighi workshop counts among the established 20th-century Isfahan master weavers. Like the Seirafian and Davari families, Haghighi follows the classical curvilinear Isfahan tradition — medallion compositions, floral vines, Shah Abbas palmettes, and precisely drawn borders modelled on Safavid archetypes.

Material and workmanship

A Haghighi hallmark is the use of cork wool with silk highlights. The especially soft wool from the necks of young sheep allows for fine detail and lends the pile its sheen. Silk is used to outline central motifs and, occasionally, as the entire pile in selected areas. On high-quality pieces the warp is natural silk, which keeps the rug elastic and dimensionally stable.

The knot density of Haghighi works lies between 500,000 and 900,000 knots per square metre.

Colour world and patterns

Haghighi works with the classical Isfahan palette: ivory, red, and blue tones dominate, complemented by muted gold and broken green. The patterns adhere strictly to a centrally symmetrical composition with a central medallion, four corner spandrels, and a continuous main border.

Market presence

Haghighi rugs appear regularly on the collector market, though in lower numbers than the larger ateliers. Signatures in the lower border identify the workshop. For lovers of Isfahan quality without exclusive Seirafian fixation, Haghighi rugs are a respectable choice.