A Journey from Nature to Persian Carpet
In the weaving of handmade Persian carpets, one of the most important and valuable raw materials is
kork (fine wool).
Kork is the soft, delicate layer of wool taken from the underside of sheep, goats, or camels (usually special breeds).
These fibers are much finer, shinier, and more durable than regular wool, giving the carpet its softness and elegant sheen.
1. Harvesting and Preparing the Kork
At the beginning of the process, the kork is collected raw and uncolored from the animal.
It is then thoroughly washed and cleaned in several stages to remove natural oils (lanolin) and dust.
At this stage, the fibers still retain their natural colors — white, beige, or cream — and no dye has been added yet.
2. Natural (Herbal) Dyeing
After washing, the raw kork enters the natural dyeing stage.
In this process, plants, tree bark, roots, and even fruits are used to produce natural dyes:
- Walnut husk: brown shades
- Esparak and saffron: yellow
- Madder root: red and lacquer tones
- Indigo: blue
- Pomegranate peel or sumac: earthy and olive shades
The fibers are boiled in special dyeing pots along with the natural materials and hot water, allowing the dye to penetrate deeply into the kork.
These natural dyes remain vibrant and highly resistant to light and washing.
3. The Final Result
Once the dyed kork is dried, it is spun into yarn and becomes ready for carpet weaving.
Using natural dyes ensures that the carpet’s colors become even more beautiful over time, providing a warm and calming visual impression—unlike chemical dyes.
This is why Persian carpets dyed with natural, herbal colors always retain a stronger sense of authenticity, beauty, and quality.
