The Persian Carpet Gallery website explains, " Tabriz is situated in north-western Iran, in the province of Azerbaijan, and is the capital of a very important carpet weaving region. The town is over 1000 years old and even centuries ago it was famous as a cultural centre. The Tabriz carpets are of very good quality, finely knotted and made of strong lustrous wool. At the beginning of the century, the finest carpets had a silk pile. These are rare pieces and are among the most beautiful examples of Persian carpets. The usual Tabriz design is a medallion surrounded by flowers and tendrils; however, some carpets have a design with repeating patterns"(http://persiancarpetgallery.com). The Oasis Carpets website adds about the weavers of Tabriz, "the quality in their carpets is exceptional (wool/silk mix with a cotton foundation, double knotted). Thee are many unique designs but typically the pattern in a Tabriz rug is filled with fish (Mahi) designs. The finer fish...are mostly in the finest wool (Kurk), and silk is often used to outline lavishly the highlights of the rug" ( http://www.oasiscarpets.com/tabriz.html).