Laleh Abbasi Pattern in Oriental and Persian Rugs

The Laleh Abbasi pattern is one of the more easily identifiable decorative motifs found in hand-knotted rugs and Oriental carpets. It most commonly appears in the inner or outer minor borders.

Designs placed in this area of a rug are often highly reciprocating, featuring complementary colors and mirrored contours. When viewed from either direction, the pattern maintains the same visual rhythm, creating a sense of balance, movement, and dimension.

Visually, the Laleh Abbasi motif is often compared to the cross section of a pawn or stylized floral bud. Despite its strong visual presence, the pattern is rarely constructed using more than a few colors, relying instead on repetition, contrast, and proportion to achieve its effect.

While the examples shown below originate from a mid-17th century Kerman, the Laleh Abbasi pattern is frequently encountered in rugs from Kashan, Mashad, and Tabriz. It is also widely used in tribal and village weavings, demonstrating the motif’s broad appeal across workshop, regional, and folk traditions.

Laleh Abbasi Design

Below: The Laleh Abbasi pattern shown as a standalone design element, illustrating its repeating, mirrored structure.

Workshop Example

Below: A full 17th-century Kerman carpet featuring a Laleh Abbasi guard border, where the motif frames the composition and enhances visual continuity.

In more intricate color schemes and expanded designs, the Laleh Abbasi pattern may also appear in monumental palace-size carpets, where the motif is rendered at a larger scale with increased chromatic complexity.