:Draft:Verneh kilim

{{Short description|Traditional Iranian woven textile}}

{{Draft topics|west-asia}}

{{AfC topic|other}}

{{AFC submission|d|nn|u=Amirreza Sahraei|ns=118|decliner=S0091|declinets=20250410213526|ts=20250410210200}}

{{AFC comment|1=None of the sources mention Verneh kilim or Varni kilim. S0091 (talk) 21:35, 10 April 2025 (UTC)}}

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{{Infobox textile

| name = Varni kilim

| image =

| image_size = 250px

| alt = A traditional Varni kilim with animal motifs and geometric

| caption = Traditional Varni kilim featuring animal motifs

| type = Flat-woven textile (Kilim)

| place of origin = Iran

| regions = Azerbaijan, Mugan Plain

| creators = Shahsavan tribes

| material = Wool, goat hair, sometimes silk

| techniques = Weft-wrapping (no knots)

| motifs = Animals (dog, horse, camel, sheep), geometric forms

| use = Floor covering, tent decoration, saddlebag, horse blanket

| year = Possibly since Safavid dynasty era (16th–18th century)

|From=Moghan desert}}

Varni (also known as Varni Kilim, Verneh kilim, Verneh rug, Verneh carpet, Persian:[https://fa.m.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%86%DB%8C_(%DA%AF%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%85)&oldid=40022295 وِرْنی]) is a traditional form of flatwoven textile originating from the nomadic tribes of northwestern Iran, primarily the Shahsavan people.{{Cite web |title=Verné rug {{!}} Hand-Knotted, Persian, Wool {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/verne-rug |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.britannica.com }} Known for its durability and unique designs, Varni is typically woven using wool, goat hair, and sometimes silk. These textiles are often used as floor coverings, saddlebags, tent decorations, and horse blankets. The practice of weaving Varni is believed to date back at least 300 years, with origins possibly in the Safavid dynasty era (16th–18th century).

= History and origin =

The tradition of Varni weaving is believed to date back at least 300 years, with origins possibly in the Safavid dynasty (16th–18th century), and later evolving during the 18th and 19th centuries among the nomadic Shahsavan tribes of northwestern Iran.{{Cite web |title=ورنی بافی |url=https://iranantiq.com/handicraft/carpet/lac-weaving |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=ایران آنتیک |language=fa}} The Shahsavan people, known for their seasonal migration patterns between Azerbaijan, Arasbaran and the Mugan Plain, developed this art form primarily for practical purposes during the colder months. Traditionally, women in these tribes wove Varni kilims using hand-operated looms.

In many historical gravestones across the Arasbaran region—particularly in the villages of Anjerd (Ahar County) and As (Kaleybar County)—patterns resembling verni weaving can be observed.{{Cite web |title=اهر خبر (اهر نیوز) |url=https://www.aharnews.ir/print/?id=28402 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.aharnews.ir}}{{Cite web |title=به مناسبت هفته صنایع دستی/ ورنی، سوماک سوزنی – سیمای اهر |url=https://simayeahar.ir/644/%D8%A8%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B5%D9%86%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B9-%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%8C-%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%DA%A9-%D8%B3/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |language=fa-IR}} As the primary center for the trade of verni in Qaradagh and throughout Iran is the city of Ahar, and since verni weaving remains a living tradition in this city and its surrounding nomadic areas, Ahar has been officially designated as Iran’s National City of Verni. In 2018, the Verni of Mugan in Ardabil Province was granted international geographical indication status.

During the winter months (Ceshlaq), when the Shahsavan tribes settled in the plains, weaving Varni provided them with a source of income and useful items for daily life, such as rugs, saddle bags, and coverings for their tents, known as Alachiq .{{Cite web |title=ورنی بافی |url=https://iranantiq.com/handicraft/carpet/lac-weaving |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=ایران آنتیک |language=fa}}

= Materials and techniques =

Varni kilims are woven from a variety of natural fibers, primarily wool and goat hair, both known for their durability and resilience against harsh conditions.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=گلیم بافی |url=https://www.parnoun.com/blog/handicrafts/coarse-carpet-weaving |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=فروشگاه اینترنتی صنایع دستی پرنون |language=fa}} Some Varni kilims also feature silk threads, particularly in more intricate designs. The weaving technique used in Varni is weft-wrapping , a method that does not require knots, giving the kilim a distinct flat texture.{{Cite journal |url=https://doi.org/10.17658/issn.2058-5462/issue-12/sbann/p1 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=doi.org|doi=10.17658/issn.2058-5462/issue-12/sbann/p1 }}

The designs of Varni kilims often include motifs such as animals (including dogs, horses, camels, and sheep), geometric patterns , and occasionally, stylized depictions of everyday tribal life.{{Cite web |title=- HALI |url=https://hali.com/issues/222/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=hali.com }}{{Cite journal |last1=Arzani |first1=Sanam |last2=Rezalou |first2=Reza |date=2021-11-29 |title=Symbology of Animal Motifs in the Verneh Textures of Shahsevan Tribe |url=https://doi.org/10.35218/armca.2021.2.06 |journal=Anastasis. Research in Medieval Culture and Art |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=118–141 |doi=10.35218/armca.2021.2.06 |issn=2392-862X}}

Varni is woven using two main techniques:

1. Weft Insertion Method:

In this technique, the fabric is created solely using warp and weft threads. The patterns emerge through the use of colored wefts. This method closely resembles the basic structure of kilim weaving, where the colored weft threads are inserted horizontally between the warp threads to form the desired design.

2. Weft Wrapping Method:

This technique involves the use of an additional, thinner weft thread alongside the standard warp and weft. The thin weft is wrapped around the warp threads to create patterns. The result is a texture that combines elements of both flat-weave and embroidery, with the design appearing more prominent on the fabric surface.