Persian Rug: 2500 Years of History, Art and Culture

I have a lecture tonight in gathering in a restaurant in Beverly Hills. I post the handout that I am going to pass later this evening. It is a weekly gathering by the Iranian business people, men and women. We will have Persian food. Two speakers talk about business issues, each for five minutes and then, we have a keynote speaker which is going to be me tonight. I will comment on the event either tonight or tomorrow. It is fun, food, networking, and educational as well. The organization is called the Coalition of the Iranian Entrepreneurs.

SOBCO

International Ltd.

Direct Importer & Award Winning Producer of Persian Rug

1655 S. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90035 Tel. 310-770-9085 Fax 310-0860-0462

www.RugIdea.com info@RugIdea.com

American Society of Interior Designers, Industry Partner

Persian Rugs: 2500 Years of History, art and Culture

Speech by: Dr. Khosrow Sobhe

info@RugIdea.com

Coalition of the Iranian Entrepreneurs, Beverly Hills, CA

Nov. 6, 2007

History of Rug Making:

Rugs were made by nomads to cover the floor. Pazyryk the oldest carpet dates back to 2,500 years ago, kept in Hermitage Museum in San Petersburg, Russia. The Ardabil carpet made in 1539, a pair were woven during the rein of Shah Tahmasp Safavid dynasty. One is in Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The other one is in Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA.

Rug Trade at international level:

Around $2 billion per year. Iran 30%, India 21%, China 18%, Pakistan 17%

Where does Persian rug stand today in the world:

In 2006, around $120 million Persian rug was imported to the US. Around $600,000,000 Persian carpet export annually. 1,000,000 looms, 2,000,000 weavers. Around 300,000 in side jobs. Around 8,000,000 Square Meters produced annually

Big rug shows in the world and in the US:

Tehran, Iran Aug. 23-29 each year

Kish Island, Iran May each year

Domotex in Germany in Jan. each year in the city of Hannover.

Atlanta, GA, January and July each year. Oriental & area rug show

Las Vegas, Jan and July each year. Home furnishing and carpet show

High Point, NC March and Oct. Home furnishing and carpet show

Biggest Rugs in the world

A- 4,434 M2 Ordered by Soltan Qabus for a mosque in Oman $5.2 million

B- 6,000 M2 Ordered for a mosque in Abu Dhabi $8.5 million

Both rugs were made by Iran Carpet Co., established 80 years ago

Rug Storage Tips

Rug Buying & Selling Tips

Khosrow Sobhe is an award winning producer and importer of Persian rugs and the founder and CEO of SOBCO International Ltd. (www.RugIdea.com) Los Angeles. He is a Board member of the Iranian Carpet Exporters' Association, Tehran. He is the Editor in Chief of the "Iranian Hand Woven Rug" quarterly. Sobhe is a Board Member, Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, Los Angeles. Member, Textile Group of Los Angeles, and an Industry Partner to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).