Pieces containing extensive hand knotting and rich embroidery such as the sofreh above are extremely rare. The uniqueness of the highly stylised floral representations is matched by the anthropomorphic figures that seem to hold hands to form a human chain. Interpreting these images is possible thanks to two other details in the sofreh: on the right side the date 1301 and on the left side the number 13, both in embroidery. This is almost certainly a reference to the celebration of Sizdeh Bedar, held on the thirteenth day of the new year. The whole community would take part, usually celebrating outdoors in a kind of picnic and therefore the sofreh was made for just such an occasion.
