Moud is a small town south of Mashad, in the Khorrasan Province. Rugs from this area are characterised by homogeneity in patterns and quality. Warp and weft are cotton and the pile is wool. The trimmings are a version of the traditional Persian turtle trimming. The rugs are produced in all sizes. Moud rugs are often copied in India, because of their remarkable homogeneity. The characteristic Moud designs are among the most uniform, evenly knotted, and easily recognisable designs of the Khorrasan Province. Moud Mahi are made in a beige, light red, or blue tone, with all-over Mahi patterns or with a star shaped medallion. Mahi means fish, and the Mahi pattern is the most commonly used pattern in genuine Persian rugs. When looking at it closely, you can see a pond encircled by four fish. Sherkat is the designation for a select series of rug types that are knotted in special workshops as part of a state-controlled project, the purpose of which is to support and thereby preserve the production of fine classical Persian rug patterns.
