The nomadic Bakhtiari people live in the Zagros Mountains around the town of Shahar-e-Kurd, west of the city of Isfahan. Bakhtiar or Bakthiari carpets are considered to be among the most popular and durable of nomadic carpets. They are made with high quality wool from the sheep of the tribe, sheep that have grazed high in the mountains which makes the wool fat and shiny.
The Bakhtiari weavers fetch much of their inspiration from nature and the most typical pattern is known as the ”garden” (Khesti) pattern in which the carpet is divided into repeating squares in which flowers and animals are. Carpets with central medallions, tree of life motifs also occur, mostly influenced by Isfahan carpets.
The carpets are very stable and durable, beaten very hard during production which results in a thick and solid carpet. Bakhtiar carpets are suitable for high trafficked areas such as hallways and entrances, and are sometimes said to be a way of bringing nature into the house.