Isfahan is a city in central Iran with a long tradition of rug making. Like the nearby city of Nain, it is famed for the extraordinary quality of its rugs. The cosmopolitan culture of the city is reflected in the diverse output of its rug makers, the designs being many and varied. The most recognisable Isfahan rugs tend to make use of central medallions surrounded by colourful floral motifs against an ivory or peach background, though there are many that diverge dramatically from this pattern. They are generally made with high quality, hand-spun cork wool (sheared from the neck of the sheep) woven together with silk, giving them a luxuriously soft texture.