The art of Persian rug design has long been in Bahram Shabahang’s blood. Born in Iran but now based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Shabahang can trace his family history back to 16th-century Iran when an ancestor once oversaw carpet weavers in the workshop of King Tahmass Safavieh. Today, Shabahang’s Persian rugs and carpets are distinctly more modern in style, albeit produced by using ancient hand-woven techniques.
The story of Shabahang’s journey to becoming a prolific Persian rug designer begins back in 1972 in the bazaars of Isfahan, Iran. There, he met Geoffrey Orley, an American who was searching for “the world’s greatest carpets.” As Orley told Detroit Design magazine: “Somebody with a big Afro showed me a great carpet. He took me back to his home, and that was [Bahram] Shabahang.”
Having discovered that they shared an affinity for the distinctive artistry behind Persian rugs, Shabahang and Orley became lifelong friends and forged a business partnership, forming the rug and carpet company Orley Shabahang in 1973. At first, they focused mainly on importing and restoring antique Persian carpets, but by 2000, Shabahang wanted to create his own collection of modern and unique rug designs.
With the support of Orley, Shabahang designed several collections of new “Persian revival” carpets. Shabahang, who holds master's degrees in architecture and urban planning, relied on his drafting skills to create the Maps series of rugs, which featured maps of San Francisco, Rome, South America and Washington, D.C. Additional works include the Architecture collection and Persian, Indian and Caucasian rugs with minimalist, abstract and animal designs.
Shabahang’s rugs have been shown at galleries and exhibitions worldwide, including the 30th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York in 2018. Publications such as Vogue, Town & Country and Architectural Digest have also featured his works.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Bahram Shabahang rugs and carpets and folk art.
Hand-Knotted Tribal Revival Rug in Red and Blue Wool, 3' x 5'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This Karabagh-inspired contemporary area rug in vibrant red and blue tones is part of the Orley Shabahang Tribal Revival collection and measures approximately 3’ x 5’. Like all Orley...
Wool
Modern Rug, Brown & Cream Wool, Minimalist Architectural Design, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Modern rug, 6' x 9', hand-knotted in wool with a brown and cream palette and a clean geometric design. This rug features a minimalist, architectural pattern inspired by rainfall, st...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Art Nouveau Wool Rug, Red, Pink, and Blue, 6' x 9'
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Part of the Orley Shabahang Music Collection, this stunning hand-knotted rug in shades of red, pink, and blue measures 5'10" x 8'10" and is crafted from the finest wool with a meticu...
Wool
Art Deco Rug, Wool and Silk, Brown, Taupe, and Cream, 6' x 9', Hand-Knotted
By Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Creating a relaxed and luxurious ascending design, Belgian Lace is a hand-knotted carpet originating from the Orley Shabahang Architectural collection. En...
Wool, Silk
$660
W 25.6 in L 46.46 in
Oriental Carpet, Wool Small Rug Cream Ziegler Style Inspired Living room Rugs
Located in Wembley, GB
Luxury Afghan Ziegler Sultanabad Rug – Handmade Oriental Wool Carpet – Ivory Floral Area Rug – Hand-Knotted Traditional Living Room Rug Bring timeless elegance to your home with this...
Wool, Cotton, Organic Material
$3,465
W 104 in L 144 in
Orange Antique Persian Tabriz Open Some Wear Clean Hand Knotted Pure Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to make exact rug size in feet and inches : 8'8" x 12'0" main rug color : orange rug border color : navy blue other colors of the rug : ivory, light blue, pink, beige rug pile...
Wool
Antique Heriz Wool Rug, Hand-Knotted, Red Field, Blue Accents, 1920
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful vintage Heriz wool rug with a red field and blue accents with an all-over medallion design. Measures: 9'2" x 11'6".
Wool
$429Sale Price|25% Off
W 41 in L 62 in
3'5"x5'2" Red Hand Knotted Afghan Khamyab Tribal Design Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Scarlet Red, Hand Knotted, Afghan Khamyab with Tribal Design, Vegetable Dyes, Soft and Shiny Wool, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style: Tra...
Wool
$1,224
W 97 in L 129 in
Vivid Orange Overdyed Old Persian Tabriz Barjasta Design Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
$1,447
W 51.97 in L 77.56 in
Vintage Rug Kurdish Turkish Hand-Knotted Tribal Carpet Blue, Violet, Red, Green
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Stunning tribal wool rug, hand-knotted in Turkey. Kurdish design rugs and carpets are mainly made of fine, hand-spun wool, This wonderful and stunning example comes from Eastern Tu...
Wool
Crimson Red Old Turkeman Bokara Elephant Feet Medallions Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This fabulous hand-knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...
Wool
7'x7'5" Beige Antique Art Nouveau Holland Made Hand Knotted Wool Round Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Beige with Green Border, Antique Art Nouveau Holland Made Savonnerie, Thick and Plush, Signed on the Back, Clean and in Excellent Condition, Hand Knotted, 100% Wool, Round, Oriental ...
Wool
8'x9'7" Brown Chinese Art Deco Inspired Peshawar Hand Knotted Soft Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Golden Brown, Chinese Art Deco Inspired Peshawar, Soft and Velvety Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Hand Knotted, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile height: 0.25 Inches Style:...
Wool
Earth Tone Rug by Keivan Woven Arts in Brown and Cream
Located in Atlanta, GA
Earth Tone Afghan Sultanabad design Rug in Brown and Cream. Keivan Woven Arts rug/ Dsp-Bc-305 Sultanabad reproduction Rug. Measures: 8′6″ × 11′5″ ...
Wool
3'x4'9" Blue Afghan Ersari with Caucasian Design Revival Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
Bayern Blue, Afghan Ersari with Turkish Knot, Caucasian Design Revival, Hand Knotted, Soft Wool, Vegetable Dyes, Densely Woven, Oriental Rug Primary materials: Wool Latex: No Pile h...
Wool
2'x3' Sangria Red Soft Wool Heris Revival Hand Knotted Mat Oriental Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a truly genuine one-of-a-kind Pure Wool Heriz Revival Hand Knotted Oriental Rug. It has been Knotted for months and months in the centuries-old weaving craftsmanship techniqu...
Wool
Tribal Persian Bakhtiari Carpet, Red, Taupe, and Gold, Wool, 10’ x 14’
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
In warm and inviting shades of red, taupe, gray, and gold wool, this hand-knotted carpet features a classic Persian Bakhtiari design and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Transitional C...
Wool
Orley Shabahang "Balochi Garden" Persian Tribal Revival Carpet
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Composed of a large central field divided into four quadrants, this Balochi design illustrates a traditional Persian flower garden. Small “Y” shaped motifs depict flower stems emergi...
Wool
Transitional Heriz Serapi Wool Carpet, Red, Indigo, Cream, 8' x 10'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Featuring an all-over geometric and tribal pattern, this hand-knotted Persian Heriz Serapi carpet measures 8'1" x 10'3" and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Transitional Collection. Inspired by the geometric and floral designs of Heriz and Serapi...
Wool
Wool Persian Qashqai Rug, Tribal and Transitional, Blue, Red, Green, 4’ x 6’
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This wool Orley Shabahang Qashqai transitional Persian rug measures 4’ x 6’ and pulls its inspiration from the allure of traditional tribal Qashqai designs. The design depicts an abs...
Wool
Orley Shabahang "Empire State" Contemporary Persian Rug, 3x5
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Traditional Bakhtiari textiles dating back centuries actually provided the inspiration for this design, not the New York landmark from which it derives its name. The simple patternin...
Wool
Orley Shabahang “Synergy” Contemporary Persian Rug, 6'x9'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Measuring 5’10” x 8’9”, Synergy consists of a pure wool pile, cotton warp, and woolen weft and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Galaxy collection. Its hand-knotted woolen pile showcase...
Wool
Modern Wool Persian Rug, Blue and Cream, Orley Shabahang, 10' x 14'
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 10’ x 13’11' Orley Shabahang signature “Rain” carpet showcases a modern design in a hand knotted Persian weave. This carpet, from the Orley Shabahang Rain collection, features a...
Wool
Orley Shabahang "Rain" Contemporary Persian Rug, Brown & Cream, 5x9
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 5’ x 9’1" Orley Shabahang signature “Rain” carpet showcases a modern design in a hand knotted Persian weave. This carpet, from the Orley Shabahang Rain...
Wool
Orley Shabahang "Poppies" Art Deco Persian Rug, 10x14
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by fields of flowers, Orley Shabahang's "Poppies" captures that idyllic scene in its simple lines and bulbs. Elegant in its simplicity, the flowing curves of the design brin...
Wool, Silk
Orley Shabahang "Rain" Contemporary Persian Rug, Gray, 8x10
By Orley Shabahang, Bahram Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
This 7’11" x 10’ Orley Shabahang signature “Rain” carpet showcases a modern design in a hand knotted Persian weave. This carpet, from the Orley Shabahang Rain...
Wool
Subdued & Soothing Cream and Gray Minimalist Wool Carpet
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
From the Orley Shabahang Rain Collection, this neutral cream and gray carpet with a minimalist design is hand-knotted in pure wool and measures 8’ x 10’2”. Titled Rain No.2, this car...
Wool
Blue and Brown Geometric and Contemporary Wool Area Rug
By Bahram Shabahang, Orley Shabahang
Located in New York, NY
Measuring 8’9” x 11’9”, this contemporary geometric carpet is hand-knotted in blue and brown wool and belongs to the Orley Shabahang Arc...
Wool