The Persian rugs of Iran

It can take weavers months or even years to make a large, top-quality carpet with intricate floral and other designs. Persian carpets can be mostly divided into three size groups: large (3x4 metres), medium (2x3 metres) and small (1x1.5 metres). For a larger 24-square-metre silk carpet, every 70 cm (27.5 inches) section takes about a month to make.

Carpet workshops are mostly family-run businesses. Workers who are traditionally women, use natural dyes derived from plants.

A worker hangs dyed silks on a rooftop. Carpets are made of wool, silk or cotton, or a combination of the three.

The United States banned Persian carpets as part of sanctions against Iran in the past, but a goodwill gesture by the Clinton Administration in 2000 allowed imports.

The rug loophole was closed in September 2010 after carpet dealers complained that the ruling hurt rural women in poor communities, not the Iranian government.

A student draws a pattern in a classroom in Isfahan Art University. Famous carpet regions include the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, Isfahan in central Iran and Kerman in the country's southeast. Each region has a specific style.

Artin Markosian, professor at Isfahan's Art University, measures a carpet during his visit to Iran's Persian handmade carpet fair.

The price of each carpet is set by officials from Iran's national carpet company after examining each completed work. Prices can range from a few hundred to many thousands of U.S. dollars.