Yes. Our Gabbeh rugs are made from natural materials without adhesive backing and can be used with underfloor heating or heated carpets. Follow the heating system’s instructions for use beneath rugs.

Gabbeh rugs can be enjoyed throughout the year. Air held within the pile helps insulate against a cold floor in winter, while the breathable wool can feel pleasantly comfortable in summer. If you prefer a lighter look for warmer months, a flatwoven kilim is another option.

We recommend a non-slip underlay, especially beneath smaller rugs, which can move despite their weight. An underlay can also help stabilise larger rugs in busy areas. Very large rugs or rugs anchored by heavy furniture may need less assistance. Our underlays are suitable for underfloor heating and heated carpets, and can be washed when needed.

Loose fibres gradually decrease with use. There is no instant way to remove them all: vacuum gently and regularly. Shedding varies between individual rugs, and a denser weave generally sheds less. If this is a priority, consider a finely woven Gabbeh.

Our use of this term refers to rugs recognised as authentic Zollanvari products on the evidence in Japanese court proceedings; it is not a separate government quality certification. The products concerned were purchased directly from Zollanvari and found to have no material difference in quality from those sold by its Japanese distributor.

Since opening, we have worked to offer honest advice and carefully selected rugs. Zollanvari is a major Iranian Gabbeh producer with distinctive designs. Other traditional Gabbeh rugs from the Shiraz region share the same regional weaving traditions.

According to information provided to us by Zollanvari, not every rug carries a stamp. At the Japanese distributor’s request, stamps were introduced in 2011 for rugs bought by that distributor. Earlier rugs did not carry these stamps, including those sold through that distributor.

Our rugs are parallel imports purchased directly from Zollanvari, so they do not carry that distributor’s stamp. The absence of a stamp does not in itself mean a rug is inauthentic.

Pile thickness varies because Gabbeh rugs are handmade. Neither thick nor thin automatically means better quality; choose for your preferences and how you will use the rug. Thick rugs feel soft and cushioned for sitting or relaxing on the floor. Thinner rugs sit more neatly beneath desks and tables and are often lighter to move and handle.

Small variations in pile height and thickness are part of a handmade Gabbeh rug’s character. Many rugs are now trimmed with electric shears for a more even finish, while others are still trimmed with hand scissors. These subtle variations reflect the work of the maker.

Traditional Gabbeh rugs are often woven without a precise drawing, so borders and lines may not be perfectly straight or symmetrical. This is characteristic of handweaving. Some contemporary export designs follow prepared drawings; both approaches have their own appeal.

We smooth out storage creases before dispatch. Appropriate steaming can also help with these marks. Please contact us for advice before treating your rug yourself.

Wool may develop a noticeable natural smell when it absorbs moisture during prolonged wet or humid weather. Air the rug and allow it to dry thoroughly. After washing or spot cleaning, moisture can remain deep within the knots even when the surface feels dry, so drying the whole rug is essential.

Regular vacuuming is usually enough for day-to-day care. Occasionally lift or turn the rug to let air circulate underneath. Blot spills as soon as possible. If you are unsure how to treat a particular stain, ask us for advice before cleaning it.

Our Gabbeh rugs can be washed, but larger rugs need enough space for washing and thorough drying. We also offer professional cleaning and repairs. Contact us if you are unsure about home cleaning or need help with a damaged rug. For overseas customers, please discuss transport and service arrangements with us in advance.

We do not generally have additional photographs beyond those shown online, but we can email larger or original-resolution versions of the product photographs. The files can be large and are best viewed on a computer screen, where the texture and weave are easier to see. Please contact us to request them.

For rugs with fringes, the listed dimensions exclude the fringes. Measurements can vary by around 1–3 cm across a handwoven rug, even when it looks rectangular. Some pieces have gently curved edges or a slightly slanted shape.

If your space leaves very little room to spare, send us its length and width before ordering. We can measure the actual rug in detail to help confirm the fit.

Names vary according to weaving technique, brand and knot density. Our Gabbeh weave-density comparisons are based on rugs in our own collection.

Many different colours and patterns can work in the same room; the best choice depends on your preferences. We can help by telephone, email or LINE. Send us a photograph of your room if you would like advice on choosing between rugs.

We generally reply to messages between 10:00 and 17:00 Japan time, excluding closed days. Messages received outside these hours are answered from the next business day, or earlier when possible.

We do not recommend using fabric deodorising sprays simply to remove the natural smell of wool. In our experience, these sprays do not noticeably reduce that smell, and we cannot make a general claim about their sanitising effect. Please refer to our care demonstration, or contact us for advice suited to your rug.
Watch the care demonstration on YouTube

The time depends on the rug’s size, yarn thickness, design complexity and the weaver’s experience. A large rug may take several months to several years. Many weavers work alongside household tasks and other daily activities, so every piece takes a different amount of time.

Many Qashqai families today have permanent homes, with some continuing to spend summers in tents and winters in houses. Our Gabbeh rugs are woven in the makers’ homes, at a pace that fits around their lives, rather than through daily shifts at a factory.
Read more about our Gabbeh weavers

There are several reasons for a price reduction. Samples or rugs with a specific imperfection are identified on the individual product page. Other pieces may be reduced because they have been in stock longer, attracted less interest or need to make room for new stock. In these cases, the lower price does not indicate lower quality.

Yes. If you are unfamiliar with online ordering or encounter difficulties, please contact us by telephone or fax. Overseas customers can also use email or our contact form to confirm delivery and payment options before ordering.

Orders are normally dispatched within 1–5 business days. For delivery within Japan, we use Japan Post, Yamato Transport or Sagawa Express, depending on the item’s weight and delivery requirements. International transit times vary by destination. Please contact us before ordering if you need a rug urgently.

International shipping is JPY 10,000 per order to supported destinations. Please check availability and the applicable charge at checkout.

Within Japan, orders below JPY 10,000 including tax incur these shipping charges: Hokkaido JPY 1,000; Tohoku, Kanto, Shinetsu, Hokuriku and Chubu JPY 700; Kansai JPY 850; Chugoku JPY 900; Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa JPY 1,000. Cash on delivery incurs an additional JPY 300 fee. These domestic charges include tax.

For orders of JPY 10,000 or more within Japan, shipping and cash-on-delivery fees are waived. This offer does not apply to international shipping.

We offer Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Japanese bank or postal transfers. PayPay and UnionPay are also available in our physical store. Transfer orders are dispatched after payment is confirmed. For international orders, the payment methods shown at checkout apply.

Yes. We accept return requests even if a rug does not suit your room or differs from what you expected. Please contact us within 24 hours of delivery using the return form, telephone, email or LINE. Full conditions are set out in our returns policy. Overseas customers should contact us to confirm return shipping arrangements and costs before sending an item back.

Japanese bonus-month lump-sum credit-card payments are not available. Instalment options, the number of payments and any fees depend on your card issuer. Please check with your card company.

Yes. Our showroom is in Tsukubamirai, Ibaraki, Japan, and visits are by appointment. Check our opening calendar and contact us with your preferred date and time and the product numbers you would like to see.

If you cannot visit, returns and exchanges are available subject to our store policy.

Most of our rugs are unique pieces and are normally sold to the first customer who places an order. If you need time to check your room measurements, for example, contact us to request a three-day hold. Held items are not marked as sold on the website.

For standard orders, a requested delivery date must be within two weeks; we do not normally hold these orders for longer. If your purchase is final, with no returns or exchanges, we may be able to agree on temporary storage. Please discuss international dispatch arrangements with us in advance.

For cash-on-delivery orders within Japan, the receipt supplied by the delivery driver is your official receipt. It is normally made out to the recipient. Tell us when ordering if you need a particular name or description. We do not issue an additional receipt for these orders, to avoid duplication.

For other payment methods, you can download and print your receipt and delivery statement from your order history after dispatch. Contact us if you have special requirements or need help.

Points and coupons are issued separately by each store and can only be used at the store that issued them. They cannot be transferred between our main website, Rakuten, Yahoo! or other storefronts.