Persian Carpets

June 2, 2022

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Persian carpet

Persian Rug or Iranian Carpet (Farsh or Ghali) is a thick textile used in decoration and floor coverage in Persian culture. This precious symbol of Persian culture is in various types, sizes, shapes, and colors. Beautiful ancient stories of Persian heroes and legends and pleasing patterns of natural elements of Iran are the basis of all the Persian carpets. Persian carpets are distinctive because of their quality of materials and exquisitely detailed design. The name of Iran (Persia) is deeply tied with its carpet, and all around the world, eastern carpets equal Persian carpets. In a book about eastern carpets, Knut Larson, the Swedish writer, says: “The Persians preserve their carpet culture carefully. Their art of weaving carpets is superior, and it is the best in the world.”

The oldest carpet in the world

The Pazyryk carpet is the oldest Persian pile carpet found in the Pazyryk Valley in Siberia in 1949 by Russian scholars. The rug is almost 2500 years and is currently exhibited at the hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The most precious Persian carpet

Spring of Khosrow Carpet, also called Winter of Khosrow Carpet, old Persian carpet, possibly the most costly and magnificent of all time, made for the Ctesiphon palace of the Sāsānian king Khosrow I (reigned AD 531–579). Described in the historical annals of the Muslim scholar al-Ṭabari, it became the model for subsequent garden carpets. The carpet was called the Spring of Khosrow because it represented the splendor of flowering spring in silk, gold, silver, and jewels. It was also named the Winter carpet because it was used in bad weather when unavailable natural gardens were. As such, it symbolized the king’s power to command the return of the seasons.

Its design was a formalized paradise with streams, paths, rectangular plots of flowers, and flowering trees. Water was represented by crystals, soil by gold, and fruits and flowers by precious stones. When the Arabs captured Ctesiphon (AD 637), the carpet, which measured about 84 square feet (7.8 square meters), was cut into fragments and distributed to the troops as booty.

History of Persian Carpets

There are different views about the history of carpets in Persia (Iran). Some believe that the art of carpet-weaving in Iran goes back to the Bronze Age by nomad tribes around 5000 BC. Other historians consider the time of Cyrus the Great as the initial establishment of Persian Carpets. What is apparent is that the carpet in Persia(Iran) has a deep history, but today, only some pieces of those carpets are available in the museum or private collections. Other cultures and nations influenced the Persian rug throughout its history. In the 11th century, after the invasion of Turkish Seljuk tribes, Turkish carpet knots. It was different from traditional hand-knotted Persian carpets. We can still see these methods in the Turkish area in Iranian carpet weaving like in Tabriz. The most significant progress in carpet history was during the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century. Many Persian carpets were exported to Europe in this century, leading to their worldwide fame. Also, Shah Abbas, Safavid King in Isfahan, opened a considerable number of workshops and factories to promote the skills of Persian carpet weavers.

Persian carpets and rugs of various types were woven parallel by nomadic tribes, village and town workshops, and royal court manufactories. As such, they represent different, simultaneous lines of tradition and reflect the history of Iran and its various peoples. The carpets woven in the Safavid court manufactories of Isfahan during the sixteenth century are famous for their elaborate colors and artistic design. They are treasured in museums and private collections all over the world today. Their patterns and designs have set an artistic tradition for court manufactories which was kept alive during the entire duration of the Persian Empire up to the last royal dynasty of Iran.

Carpets woven in towns and regional centers like Tabriz, Kerman, Mashhad, Kashan, Isfahan, Nain, and Qom are characterized by their specific weaving techniques, high-quality materials, and colors and patterns. Town manufactories like those of Tabriz have played an important historical role in reviving the tradition of carpet weaving after periods of decline. Rugs woven by the villages and various tribes of Iran are distinguished by their fine wool, bright and elaborate colors, and specific, traditional patterns. Nomadic and small village weavers often produce rugs with bolder and sometimes more coarse designs, considered Persia’s most authentic and traditional rugs, instead of the artistic, pre-planned designs of the larger workplaces. Gabbeh rugs are the best-known type of carpet from this line of tradition.

. Carpet weaving still plays a significant part in the economy of modern Iran. Modern production is characterized by the revival of traditional dyeing with natural dyes, the reintroduction of traditional tribal patterns, and the invention of modern and innovative designs woven in the centuries-old technique. Hand-woven Persian carpets and rugs have been regarded as objects of high artistic and utilitarian value and prestige since ancient Greek writers first mentioned them.

Although the term “Persian carpet” most often refers to pile-woven textiles, flat-woven carpets and rugs like Kilim, Soumak, and embroidered tissues like Suzani are part of the rich and manifold tradition of Persian carpet weaving.

In 2010, the “traditional skills of carpet weaving” in Fars Province and Kashan were inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

Wool, cotton, and silk are the basic materials of Persian carpets.

Wool

In most Persian rugs, the pile is of sheep’s wool. Its characteristics and quality vary from each area to the next, depending on the breed of sheep, climatic conditions, pasturage, and the particular customs relating to when and how the wool is shorn and processed. Usually, sheep are shorn in spring and fall. The spring shear produces wool of more acceptable quality. The lowest grade of wool used in carpet weaving is “skin” wool, which is removed chemically from dead animal skin. Higher degrees of Persian wool are often referred to as kurk, or kork wool, which is gained from the thread growing on the sheep’s neck. Also, fibers from camel and goat, used in Baluch rugs, are other wool forms. Modern production also uses imported wool, e.g., Merino wool from New Zealand, because the local production cannot entirely meet the high demand for carpet wool.

COTTON

Cotton forms the foundation of warps and wefts of most modern rugs. Nomads who cannot afford to buy cotton on the market use wool for warps and wefts, traditionally made of wool in areas where cotton was not a local product. Cotton can be spun more tightly than wool and tolerates more tension, making cotton a superior material for the foundation of a rug. Especially larger carpets are more likely to lie flat on the floor, whereas wool tends to shrink unevenly, and carpets with a woolen foundation may buckle when wet. Since the late nineteenth century, chemically treated cotton has been used in rugs as a silk substitute.

Silk

Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. Silk is an expensive material and has been used for representative carpets. Its tensile strength has been used in silk warps, but silk also appears in the carpet pile. A silk pile can be used to highlight particular elements of the design. High-quality carpets from Kashan, Qum, Nain, and Isfahan have all-silk piles. Silk pile carpets are often magnificent, with a short pile and an elaborate design. Silk pile is less resistant to mechanical stress. Thus, all-silk piles are often used as wall hangings or pillows.

Is an Oriental Rug A Persian Rug?

When it comes to Oriental & Persian rugs, many people often put the two rug types together or may miss describing a Persian carpet as an oriental rug. The term ‘Oriental Rug’ is used to describe a much broader range of rugs when compared to the Persian carpet. It is correct to use the word Oriental rug to describe a Persian carpet, and it is common for them to be under the same description. Still, with the unique knots used in the manufacture of Persian rugs, they usually are separated into their special categories.

So let us explain the difference between an Oriental rug and a Persian rug, and you can make up your mind.

What Best Describes an Oriental Rug?

An Oriental rug is best used to describe rugs made in the Asian continent. These rugs usually originate from Russia, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Tibet, China & Iran. China, in recent times, has led the way when it comes to Oriental rug exports. With its hundreds of years of rug and carpet weaving, China, believe it or not, was an undiscovered maker of carpets and rugs until recent times, which has led to quicker production methods, so the rugs are now readily available to the broader world.

The manufacture of a typical Oriental rug involves hand-woven looms where the yarn is delicately knotted together into a weave to produce the ornate mechanical design. The type of knot used in this process is the symmetrical Ghiordes (knot brings both tufts ends to the surface together between two warp yarns) knot, otherwise known as the Turkish knot. The original Oriental carpet, Persian carpet, or rugs are hand-woven and hand-knotted, not manufactured. This makes them truly unique from rug to rug, unlike its more modern manufactured cousin, which tends to be from a production line of the same design. The intricate detail and unique designs make hand-woven Oriental and Persian rugs more expensive but truly original.

Oriental rugs are generally made from wool, but other materials, including silk and bamboo, are sometimes used. The design of many Oriental rugs symbolizes the regions they are from, using symbols, procedures, and colours that reflect their culture and spiritual meaning. Many techniques such as animals, landscape, floral, and shaped patterns are used to distinguish between different regions and be instantly recognizable. Using a contrast of color and many other textures helps form a 3-dimensional effect on the rug, part of the Oriental rug design.

So, to sum up, an oriental rug is usually made more of a heavy textile and are made for everyday purpose and not for decoration. An Oriental rug can be either pile woven or flat woven without fortune.

What Best Describes a Persian Rug?

The Persian Rug is a hand-knotted rug produced in Iran. The Persian carpet is often seen using unique designs, features, and textures. Due to their popularity and unique features, Persian Rugs are very common, but they are more or less always placed in their category but are also featured as a part of the Asian rug family.

Ancient Persia was the birthplace of hand-woven rugs, and to this day, it is still a traditional way of producing Persian rugs. The techniques used to make the rugs are handed down from generation to generation over hundreds of years, still using the same style and designs. Persian rugs are often named after the region in which they were produced or the cities or the tribe they originate from. These places tend to have unique designs and styles dating back many years. Persian rugs tell a story rather than just a beautiful design to look at. The oldest Persian carpet and the oldest carpet in the world are believed to date back 2400 years, and historians believe that rugs and carpets were being made well before then!

Rugs produced in Persia are very in-demand mainly due to their intricacy, high quality, and high knot count used in their manufacture. Some Persian rugs have a high knot count per square inch as 500!

When sanctions were introduced against Iran, imported Persian rugs became scarcer, so manufacturers took it upon themselves to mass-produce them to meet the high demand. This, in turn, led to the market being flooded with fake Persian rugs! This, of course, caused the price of original Persian rugs to rise to astronomical amounts of money, and they were changing hands for thousands of pounds. Like its Asian cousin, Persian rugs are intricately handmade by skilled craftsman, sometimes taking up to a year to produce, making them a very sort after product and hence more expensive than Oriental Rugs.

The Difference Between Persian Rugs And Oriental Rugs

So, in answer, a Persian rug is an Oriental rug but has its section and is usually separated from the Asian rug family due to the knots used in the production being different from those rugs produced in Asia (Oriental rugs). Both types of carpets can be highly-priced incredibly if they are authentic compared to the mass-produced rugs. Even though, at times, it can be tough to distinguish between Persian and Oriental rugs, both rugs use intricate and natural woolen fibers as well as intricate and ancient designs. Both are highly durable, and original mats can fetch an awful lot of money due to them both being handcrafted and, as we have previously stated, take up to a year to produce!

We here at Persian Modern Rugs have a wide range of Persian and Oriental rugs for sale, all hand-woven and unique in their way. All imported from the Far East and a perfect accompaniment to any room. So, you can look at our collection here, and you will not be disappointed. If Persian or Oriental rugs are not for you, we also stock a variety of modern-designed rugs!

How To Hang A Persian Rug

People have been decorating their walls with hung carpets for centuries; tapestries were hung in castles to create a barrier from a cold wall and keep the heat trapped in the rooms as it was hard to keep rooms and the people in them warm during the colder months. It was a cheaper form of insulation. This paved the way for the creation of decorative tapestries, which had value beyond their use of just keeping people warm and early homes also saw people hang carpets or rugs on their walls for the same purpose.

Hanging a Persian rug is straightforward and, if done correctly and can add appeal to whatever room you display it in.

Things to Consider Before Hanging Your Rug

Size And Weight

The hanging method you eventually choose will depend on the overall size and weight of the rug you have bought, so make sure to measure it before purchasing the tools required. Also, try to hang it evenly as if not hung correctly. The weight distribution can cause a heavy rug to warp or even rip.

Sunlight And Heat

No one likes a faded rug, so avoid over-exposure to sunlight over time. Avoid hanging your wig in direct sunlight or in front of a radiator or fireplace.

Preventing Damage

Keeping rugs off the ground is a great way to protect them from wear and tear. However, nailing or pinning rugs directly to the wall can cause damage to the dies and fibers in your rug long-term. Try one of these safe, secure methods below instead.

Velcro

Tools Required

Velcro tape
fabric
Carpet thread
Scissors
A broad piece of flat, thin wood
Staple gun, drill, screws

Instructions

Cut the velcro and muslin to match the width of the rug.
Hand-stitch the fuzzy, soft side of the velcro to the muslin, then stitch the muslin onto the back of the carpet.
Cut a piece of wood to match the width of the rug.
Staple the rough side of the velcro tape to the wood.
Place the wood on the wall using a drill and screws, then attach the velcro to hang the rug.
Repeat steps 1-4 if required.

Tools Required

Twine
PVC pipe
Saw (for cutting the PVC pipe if needed)
Drill, screws/nails

Instructions

Cut the PVC pipe slightly shorter than the width of the rug.
Cut several more extended pieces of twine.
String the twine through the pipe
Fold half of the rug over the pipe so that the carpet drapes down on both sides.
Tie the loose ends of the twine together outside of the pipe. The string should form a triangle with the tube and rug at the bottom when holding up the yarn.
Hang the rug via the twine on a nail or stud on your wall

Curtain Rod

Tools Required

Strong fabric (heavy cotton, linen, etc.)
muslin
Carpet thread
Curtain rod
Wall anchors
Drill and screws

Directions

Cut the muslin strip to match the same width as the rug.
Cut a piece of fabric the exact width of the carpet, large enough to be able to form a tube that will fit the width of the rod.
Sew muslin to the top of the rug.
Sew fabric to the top of the carpet, forming a tube.
Attach anchors to the wall using a drill and screws.
Insert the rod into the fabric tube on the rug and then hang the rod onto the wall.

How to identify a Persian Rug

The layperson can’t discern between a genuine Persian hand-knotted rug and a copy made in India, Pakistan, or China. This situation has allowed many dealers to pull the wool – no pun intended – over buyers’ eyes over the years and to pass copies off as the real thing, and in the process making huge profits.

The copy might look the same in all respects – in the case of a Persian Kashan City/Workshop floral medallion rug – so the colors and design are perfectly reproduced. However, the knowledgeable person, almost always the dealer, can see a Chinese copy from 100 meters and know it.

The copies are often stilted in their execution, which fact you can learn if you place the Persian rug and the reproduction side by side. The weavers born into the right culture and locale will somehow have the innate feel for the art and be able to create it as their forbearers did. Those from different continents cannot imbue the correct spirit into the weaving. It is the difference between a painting by numbers and creating from the heart and the mind’s eye. Ironically, the copy may well have a more regular, more delicate weave but is let down by the type of wool and dyes.

The number of knots per square inch or meter is only significant to making the correct design detail. Far more necessary to produce excellent rugs is the quality of the pile, almost always wool, but sometimes a mixture of silk and wool or all silk. The thread used in the copies is generally much drier than the materials used in Iranian Persian rugs, over-processed and bleached of natural oils so that the dyes are uniform. The genuine carpet will have a slight pointillistic look, with shades of one color combined in a block of color. This effect saves the Persian rug from having a flat and dull effect that looks too perfect, almost machine-made.

The range of dyes available to modern rug producers is more significant than ever before, constantly evolving and improving to achieve better results at lower costs. However, the more delicate Persian rugs use wool better suited to taking dyes and much more suited to giving greater longevity. Iranian weavers of Persian rugs use much better tones of color, while the best examples have either all-natural or a mixture of chemical and natural dyes.

The layperson must trust the vendor to give an accurate description of the rug, so it is generally advisable to buy from a local rug retailer who can show you various options in the shop before you try a selection at home on an approval basis. If buying from an online retailer and spending a lot of money, try to get a second opinion within the 14 days return period.

Remember that images are always misleading, and buying on their strength is foolhardy. The Persian mentioned above Kashan is the most reproduced design made in almost every rug-making country in qualities ranging from awful to excellent machine-made and in many hand-knotted grades. The expert can tell them apart, but only after looking at the back of the rug, which means the buyer nothing.

Trust your vendor- or spend many years reading books and inspecting 1,000s of the rug!

How genuine Persian and Oriental rugs are made.

Persian – or Oriental or any hand-knotted rug – employ varying techniques, the most usual using the Persian or Turkish knot to build up the design row by row. Carpets are made this way from Eastern Europe through Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, and almost all the countries on the road to China.

Weaving rugs by hand has been a practical and beautiful art form for at least 5,000 years, and as far as we know, through conjecture, hearsay, and scant concrete facts, it has remained unchanged in the primary process.

Many rugs are what we categorize as Tribal or Village and are often woven from memory, the designs, color, and sizes made over decades or centuries. Therefore, the first step of designing is not necessary, unlike the City/Workshop rugs, which have a higher knot density and demand more detailed motifs. Rug designers draw one-quarter of the carpet on graph paper to a 1:1 scale which is then reduced to another ‘cartoon’ for the weavers to refer to as they tie each knot by hand. Many now use computer software instead of hand painting. Alternatively, the knot arrangements are written in a code that the weaver reads or a master weaver chants.

The hand-drawn cartoon for a custom hand-knotted rug made in the Pakistan Punjab in 2006 (Image- NC Larsen)

Large herds of sheep and goats are commonplace from Turkey to Turkestan (Image-Shutterstock)

Before the invention of artificial chemically derived fibers, the raw materials for rugs grew with silkworms or on the backs of sheep, camels, and goats.

The wool is cut to a yearly date, depending on what quality is needed. A beautiful yarn derived from an early Spring cut sold at a premium for use in the highest quality rugs. As with so many tasks in Asia, the washed wool is sorted by hand before spinning. Handspun yarn is used for rugs demanding less finely twisted fibers, so if seen in Tribal and Village rugs for the most part.

Now dyeing can take place. Ever since discovering the art of imbuing materials with color, the precise ingredients and process has been a closely guarded secret, handed down from father to son and all within the framework of Guilds. These master Dyers, respected and well-paid community members, knew how to extract color from various plants, roots, leaves, petals, bark, animals, and minerals to mix with fixates to create glorious colors. (See next Blog on Colours). In 1872, making chemically derived colors from coal tar was discovered, leading to the adoption of cheaper and less light-resistant dyes. However, today manufactured or artificial dyes are excellent in the round, but it remains to be seen if they will mellow as beautifully as vegetal versions.

There are two types of looms – horizontal and vertical. The former, also called ground looms, were and still are utilized by nomads practicing transhumance across Asia- although many tribes have been forcibly settled by governments wary of their independence and fighting prowess. They are cheap to make, light to transport, and require no vertical wall or heavy frame. Today, we see the almost complete dominance of vertical looms, enabling more significant, more detailed rugs.

The weavers use three-knot types – the Turkish, Persian, and Tibetan (see Blog 4) – to build up the rug, one row of knots after the other. Cheaper ways to make rugs are to use a handloom, hand-tuft, or power loom. A hand-knotted rug can take from 2 weeks to 2 years to complete, depending on the size and number of knots needed in each square meter to realize the complexity of the design. Once met, it is cut from the loom.

Now the rug is secured at the end with final locking weft threads; the sides are given a wrapping around two or more warp threads to give the carpet the outer strength for durability. The sides, or hem, are pre-made and sewn onto the rug on lower-quality rugs.

The rug has a large amount of excess material, dust, and general dirt trapped within it, so it is put in a sizeable revolving metal drum to allow all this detritus to gall out. The rug is ready to have its rather vague and woolly pile cut to a uniform length to reveal the design. This is a highly skilled job, traditionally performed with giant, sharp steel scissors but now done with power clippers.

The penultimate stage is washing, which is performed by hand using soap and lots and lots of water. The rug is repeatedly soaked, and the excess water is driven through and out by paddles.

How The Ancient Tradition Of Persian Rug Making Is Under Threat

Renowned for their high quality and beauty, hand-woven Persian rugs have long been the most sought-after rugby for many people across the globe. Traditional Persian rug-making dates back over 2,500 years from the ancient lands of Persia, which today we now know as Iran.

The rugs are not just a floor covering – they are truly unique works of art. Using the richest of colors and intricate designs, Persian rugs are made from only natural materials such as wool, silk, and vegetable dye, rather than the modern-day rugs, which use many synthetic materials. Their overall beauty and impact are a must for any home. Due to the care and attention to detail, Persian rugs are both high quality and durable. Looking after properly, Persian rugs can last a lifetime and be enjoyed by many generations. A Persian rug is not just a rug. It is an investment that can increase in price over time.

Cyrus The Great was probably the first person who introduced what we have come to know as the Persian rug to the world after he conquered ancient Babylon in 539 BC. Historical records show many beautiful and ornate carpets and wigs decorated his courts and palaces. For over 2,500 years, Iran has produced the highest quality rugs and carpets, but now in these modern times, the ancient tradition is under serious threat!

The Dying Tradition Of Persian Rug Making

For thousands of years, Iran’s Persian carpets have been made using traditional methods handed down from generation to generation by the nomadic tribes who live in the high plans surrounding the ancient city of Shiraz.

The sheep they herd are shorn only once a year, producing a ball of thick and long wool used to make what we have come to know as the Persian Rug.

With the sands of time, this ancient craft has become unsustainable along the roads and routes once used by the nomadic tribes, according to the rug weavers of Shiraz.

Many who once lived by the old traditions have turned to factories to produce their rugs, such as many of Iran’s biggest rug dealers. Still making the rugs organically, no machinery is involved but more of a production line of workers, each with their task.

With women sitting in front of the loom, still weaving the rugs in the traditional ways, the process takes as long as a year to produce a quality Persian rug. But even with many of the conventional rug producers diversifying, hard times are still ahead, and many are pondering whether their long-held traditions can survive.

So Why Do Iran’s Traditional Rug Producers Feel Threatened?

This is down to countries such as India and China being able to mass-produce rugs after taking advantage of the six years of international sanctions imposed on Iran’s rug producers. These are trying times for the traditional craft of Persian rug making.

The many years of invasion, politics and even enemies have stained Iran’s carpet industry. These influences demanded a change to how rugs were produced, introducing chemicals and colorings that went against the long-held traditions. Of course, the sanctions imposed by the United States impacted the Iranian Persian carpet industry and pushed it back a few steps, causing much damage.

Many of Iran’s rug producers fear that due to modernization, many who once chose quality are now opting for mass-produced rugs, with fewer and fewer people opting to buy rugs produced by the more traditional methods.

Iran’s carpet producers have over the mass-produced market because their designs are more complex and more labor-intensive, thus producing a quality of rug not found anywhere else.

The Fars Province in Iran is where the nomadic hand-woven Persian rugs are extensively produced.

How Persian Rugs Are Made

It all begins with the 1.6 million sheep that graze the foothills of the surrounding areas—shepherded by the Qashqai and Bakhtiari nomadic tribes. These sheep produce the challenging, long fiber wool integral part of the Persian Rug.

In the next stage, the women of the tribes make threads from the wool by hand by twisting them between their fingers. After this stage, the bundles of cable produced are then dyed using only natural ingredients such as pomegranate peels which make deep red or wine leaves for those beautiful greens. Many days of boiling will pass on wooden fires, after which the threads are then taken out and dried by the wind that blows in from the north every day.

After the threads have dried, then the weaving begins. The weavers are mostly women who spend months to almost a year over the loom, stringing and knotting together the multitude of threads, sometimes following patterns handed down from generation to generation or creating elaborate patterns and designs. When all this is eventually finished, the rug is then cut, washed, and placed out in the sun to dry.

This actual labor of love, a rug produced in this way, can cost as little as £300 depending on the pattern and quality.

The Changing World

Despite the love and effort of producing rugs of perfect quality, many Iranians have cast off tradition and prefer floorings such as laminate over the traditional mats and even spurn locally produced rugs to purchase lower quality mass-produced imports.

According to the famous Shiraz bazaar head, rug makers are selling only about 10 percent of what they usually would have sold a decade earlier.

Even the nomadic tribes, once the original producers of Persian rugs, are becoming harder to find, a reminder of Iran’s past many have fallen on hard times, many turning to drugs to cope with the changes in Iranian society. Many go searching for better-paid work, leaving their tribe’s ancient traditions behind, and stop making rugs. Many divorces and leave their tribes in search of a better future.

Our Antique Persian rugs are worth the investment – we compare them to Modern Rugs.

Persian Rugs, also referred to as Oriental Rugs, have offered an incredible variety to accent living spaces. The unique and intricate designs allied to rich intoxicating colors have allowed these rugs to become functional art pieces. Persian rugs have adorned both floors and walls for millennia. Antique styles are coveted and can come with astronomical price tags, so much so that in 2013 an antique Persian rug sold for $33 million!!

Fortunately for those without such deep pockets, there are modern versions that can offer the traditional look but at a more affordable price.

How do you compare a modern Persian rug with a traditional vintage rug?

Uniqueness

Modern Persian Rugs:

Modern rugs have many advantages. They are typically produced in higher volumes and a multitude of sizes. You will be hard-pressed to find a modern rug with the level of uniqueness of an antique rug, but a consistent size, consistent quality, and color can be handy when looking to lay multiple carpets in a single space. Modern rugs allow you to purchase your rugs over some time with some security that you would be able to find matching or similar rugs later.

Antique Persian Rugs:

While it is true to say that every area manufacturing rugs has certain styles common to the site, you are much more likely to find an “on-off” or something more unique if you purchase an antique carpet, be prepared to pay a high price for it.

Technique

Modern Persian Rugs:

Today, “weaving centers” produce high-quality hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs. These centers tend to specialize in specific designs and styles. Understand the term, though; these are not factories with huge modern machinery but groups of artisans working in a cooperative environment.

Some rug manufacturers have moved into producing more miniature labor-intensive “hand-tufted” rugs. These rugs are high quality but have become well-favored due to their lower price. We are all aware of financial pressures, and a good quality Modern rug can meet our rug requirements without breaking the bank. Speak to an experienced vendor of modern rugs for the best advice.

Antique Persian Rugs:

If a rug was produced more than 30 years ago, it is pretty safe to say it will be wholly hand-knotted or hand-woven. Hand-woven rugs are delivered in 3-4 months, dependent upon pattern complexity, and hand-knotted rugs can take up to a year to make.

Due to the unique nature of antique rugs, there will be disparities in the number of knots-per-inch (KPI). Almost every carpet produced before the 1920s was woven on a loom. The carpet will have been rocked by hand and, amazingly, by a single weaver.

As this weaver worked, they sometimes produced minor errors in the rug. These imperfections can often increase the value of a carpet, as it extolls its uniqueness. Occasionally, multiple rugs can be attributed to the same weaver by displaying defects. This nuance can add significant value as it is often sought after in fine arts and handcrafted objects.

Material

Modern Persian Rugs:

Most modern rugs are made from wool and silk. It is true to say that the higher the quality of materials, the better quality rug is produced. Modern carpets are produced using natural wool and bamboo silk. You may not have come across bamboo silk. Bamboo silk is made from bamboo, which can grow more than 20 meters a year. It is much more environmentally friendly, more sustainable than other options, and requires silkworms to produce it. Bamboo silk also gives rugs a beautiful shine, a trait we all want in a carpet.

Antique Persian Rugs:

The quality of the materials used defines the quality of Oriental and Persian rugs. This is true whether they employ silk, cotton, wool, or other elements during their manufacture. Making a rug pile of superior yarn, painstakingly twisted into threads and then woven into an intricate design, produces a rug that provides a luster and patina that cannot be found using lesser quality materials.

Style

Modern Persian Rugs:

Modern production rugs run a myriad of styles. Traditional Persian, Turkish and Indian designs are being produced alongside current patterns. The color range is far more extensive and ranges from subtle and muted to neon-bright because of using both vegetable and natural dyes. Modern dying techniques allow a broader range of colors and patterns. You are sure to find something to suit your style and tastes.

Antique Persian Rugs:

It is fair to say that vintage pieces usually have more traditional, tribal patterns and colors. Traditional techniques have also updated their products by using different washes and colors. Often antique rugs’ color will have changed from when produced initially due to the impact of oxygenation and ultraviolet light dyes.

Style

Modern Persian Rugs:

Modern rugs from certain parts of the world that use quality materials and exhibit early weaving techniques will undoubtedly increase in value over time. The truth is that modern rugs are often used as cheap interior design accents with built-in obsolescence of only a few years. That said, modern rugs are in high demand because they are inexpensive and come in many styles. If you want something for the long-term, consider a high-end modern rug, it could be the better choice. Always be aware that in the world of rugs, size matters. The size of the rug can have a significant influence on price.

Antique Persian Rugs:

The most significant difference between the two styles is price or value. Other factors in valuing an antique rug include Age, Workmanship, Pattern, coloration, and preservation. Collectors can also add value based on who has owned a carpet previously. Here we have to deal with antique rugs being traded and priced like fine art. There is still a supply and demand causality with more common vintage rugs. A carpet that is wildly off base style-wise or has significant wear and tear can be purchased more affordably.

Care

Modern Persian Rugs:

Modern hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs have a similar care regime to antique rugs. These can still be washed and repaired like vintage pieces but generally at a fraction of the price. To find a professional rug cleaner, we suggest using an NCCA-certified cleaner.

Antique Persian Rugs:

Some antique pieces look almost new, while others have a worn patina. Even at 50-plus years old, antique handmade rugs can be washed and repaired. An old carpet like this can still have a longer lifespan than a modern rug, but the repair costs can be significantly more.

Summary

The lure of a unique handmade Persian rug is strong. However, it would be prudent to consider all sides, the initial purchase cost, the lack of a guaranteed increase in value, and the difficulty in finding the “one.” With a modern Persian rug, you can have the pleasure of owning a handcrafted carpet, which could still be an excellent financial investment without the huge upfront cost.

There is a reason why modern Persian rugs have reached this high level of popularity, and it is because they are a perfect alternative to an antique Persian rug.

Rug Blog – Great interiors aren’t complete without incredible rugs. Antique rugs can be conversation starters, statement pieces, or supporting players that give interior harmony and unity. These textural handcrafts absorb sound, provide structure and add a bold dash of color. Carpets are available in numerous styles that are as diverse as today’s interiors. The places and how mats are used and displayed are also endless. When hung on walls, rugs and tribal textiles create a splendid effect. Traditional Oriental area rugs and Persian rugs are just the beginning, however.

There are neoclassical and vintage rugs from Europe, Scandinavian mid-century rugs, and stylish art carpets inspired by legendary modern artists. Use low-impact designs and light-colored carpets to make rooms appear larger, or select bold, dark colors and intensive patterns to create a cozy, inviting effect. Great possibilities come from unique rugs. Carpets do make the room.

What Are The Best Rugs and Carpets?

What are considered to b the best rugs and carpets? The question is finally answered.

One of the most common questions that we often get asked is: “What are the best rugs?”

When taken at face value, this would seem like a simple question. But in actuality, defining what the best rugs are, is one of the more complex questions in the rug business. While the quick answer would be that it’s all relative, through the years, we have come to realize that what the person means when asking this question is how can they choose the perfect rugs and the best carpets for them personally? We may not have all the answers to this question, but we have a few suggestions to help make the best choices for buying your rugs.

Narrowing Down the Choices Of Best Rugs

First, let’s start by narrowing down the broad categories of available carpets. Many different hand-knotted rugs range from rustic rugs with tribal designs to exquisite finely woven rugs to rare rugs by master weavers that are carried out in breathtaking detail. There are also many choices between these two. When choosing the best carpets and rugs, you first need to decide what type of carpet you want.

The final choice is up to you, but if your room is modern or formal, you may want to choose Persian rugs that feature more traditional designs, such as a medallion or vase pattern. If you have an Asian-themed room, there is a wide selection of Oriental rugs and Chinese or Khotan carpets. If you have a modern or contemporary space, the sky is the limit, and you can choose almost any design for the area to give it a unique look.

If your home is filled with exquisite antiques and has a more traditional feel, a conventional carpet from Turkey or Persia will probably be your best bet. Of course, an older antique would be the perfect match, even if it shows a bit of its age.

If your home is mid-century modern or industrial, you may have fun with a mid-century modern or retro rug with abstract art or simple lines. Some mid-century rugs are available that have bold, vibrant colors and will add interest to these styles. They can be used to give the room either a retro feel or a distinctively ultra-modern one.

If your style is on the wild and eclectic side, a tribal rug may be exactly what you are looking for to complete the room. They give the room an organic and natural feel. They look fabulous in a space filled with indoor plants and many different layers of textures. They can be used in a more formal setting, too, depending on the character of the rug.

These are just some general suggestions, and the best rug will be the one that is right for you. In such cases, that is something that only you can decide.

Now, let’s get back to that original question of “what is the best rug.”

Best Rugs for Investment

Many people ask, “what is the best rug?” because they are interested in finding one that will hold its value or possibly appreciate it over the years. Their question is related to the investment value of the rug, perhaps more so than its aesthetic value and quality of it. Once again, this is not an easy answer. In comparison, the rarest and best rugs of each type tend to do well over time; just as with the stock market, the world of investment quality rugs goes through cycles. You never know when something will happen that will change these cycles in the future.

As with the stock market, there are no guarantees about the future value of any carpet. However, as mentioned above, some rugs have consistently held their value for a long time. If you are looking for an investment, it is best to consult with someone who is a carpet expert to ask about which rugs are more likely to hold their value based on past performance. Many factors go into the appraisal of a carpet, and it is not all about knot count or qualities that can be plugged into a formula to give you an absolute result. The evaluation of the value of rugs takes many years of training and experience in the world of these precious art objects.

Best Rugs for Fashionable Trends

Another factor that affects the value and popularity of specific rug designs is the changing world of interior design style. A hand-knotted carpet can be a significant investment and not something that most can casually replace to meet the whims of the interior design industry. It is always best to look at trends that have remained for a long time when choosing a rug to go with them. Finding the perfect rug that is versatile and can easily be transformed to match a new interior in the future is also a wise choice.

If you are a person who follows the fashion trends and changes your paint every time new Pantone colors come out, it would be wise to choose the best rug to be able to match new styles easily. In this case, sometimes a classic or traditional style is best. Specific rug designs, such as medallions, have remained popular. They never seem to go out of style, and they can fit into the room as styles change around them. A classic is always a good choice in this respect.

One example of a rug style that became popular, and remains so today, is the rugs created by the Berber tribes of Morocco. The vintage Moroccan rugs of these tribes rely on a simple design with an ivory background and are based on simple geometric forms, often in dark brown or sometimes vibrant colors. They usually have a whimsical character and a primitive feel. They became popular in the mid-20th century and were often featured in mid-century modern designs. They have found a new life in Bohemian, Eclectic, and other modern interior designs. Their popularity never seems to fade, and they find their way into many new and innovative interior design styles.

Apples to Oranges

At the beginning of this article, we touched on the idea of finding the right carpet for your particular style. Several different types of carpets were mentioned in this section. This leads us to our next part of the journey to choosing the best rug. There are many different categories of fine carpets around the world. There are kilims or flatweave rugs, and there are hand-knotted pile rugs. There are also many other techniques and methods for making them.

Although, for the most part, rug weaving involves creating a design on a set of vertical threads strung on a loom, there are many variations as to how to accomplish this. Also, many different materials are available, and other dyestuffs are available to create the colors. There are also regional and local preferences as to the used designs. In short, this means that you cannot compare one rug to another rug that is not in the same category. You can only compare rugs that are similar or that were produced similarly. Many different factors will influence which one is the best and which is the best one for you and your needs.

Without going into extensive detail, here are a few of the different categories of rugs that you may find in your exploration. We have many additional articles on these types of rugs on our website, so feel free to explore the ones you are interested in further. We have many different examples of these types of rugs on our site, too, which may help you narrow down your choices.

Here are some of the types of rugs that you will need to be familiar with to find the best carpet for you:

Persian Rugs
Turkish or Ottoman Rugs
Kilims
Berber Rugs
Oushak rugs
Chinese Rugs
Antique Indian Agra Rugs
Vase Rugs
Donegal Irish Rugs
Mamluk Rugs
Rugs from the Master Weavers
Rugs of the Safavid Dynasty
Tribal Rugs from the Caucasus Mountains
Scandinavian Rugs
Tree of Life Rugs
Mid-Century Modern Vintage Rugs
Silk Rugs
Individual Tribal rugs, including (Baluchi, Gabbeh, Heriz, Kazak, Shirvan, and Qashqai)
Kerman Rugs
Art Deco Rugs

This is by no means a complete list of all the best types of rugs in the world, but it is a start to give you an idea of the many different categories and types of “best rugs” that can be found worldwide. One thing that you will notice is that not all the categories of rugs are based on location. Some are based on time or historical era, the type of material used, or other characteristics. Each of them is to be appreciated within its category compared to other rugs from that particular time and place.

When asking what the best rug is, you cannot compare rugs from different categories. They each have different qualities in terms of the type of knot used, materials used, knot counts typical for that type of rug, and other characteristics that allow them to be compared within their category.

A fine 1880s carpet by Ustad Mohtashem with a knot count of over 500 knots per square inch cannot be compared to a tribal Oushak with a 120 knots per honest inch count. They cannot even be placed in the same category. And each of them has its own merits, and each rug may be considered the best of its kind.

Which One Is A Better Rug?

Do the previous examples beg to ask which one of these rugs is better? One can appreciate the bright colors and expert design of the 1880s Mohtasham, but does this make this simple tribal Oushak any less beautiful and artistic? The answer to this question is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It all depends on what you are looking for in a carpet. Both have their merits, given the right circumstance and interior design. Some will prefer one over the other, but it is possible to find just as many supporters for the simple Oushak as for the masterworks of a master weaver.

Handmade rugs are a particular category of art. The fibers are simply the medium, says the clay is the medium for the sculptor, and the paint is the medium for the painter. Therefore, many of the same questions that apply to other forms of artwork also apply to the production of carpets and delicate rugs.

If you go to a museum, you are likely to see a range of different types of pieces of artwork. You may see fine paintings from the Dutch Masters of the 1600s. You may see sculptures from Masters such as Leonardo DaVinci. However, you will also probably see primitive tribal masks, although in a different room. Seldom does a museum display primitive tribal artwork in the same room as the formally schooled artwork of the Masters, but visitors equally appreciate both of these types of art.

Some visitors will enjoy their stay more in the room filled with fine masterpieces and spend less time in the room with tribal art. Others will hardly glance at the work of the masters and will spend their time among the natural beauty and primitive art of the tribal cultures. This same principle can apply to carpets as well. The fine medallion rugs produced by the Safavid dynasty are beautiful in their way, but they would look awkward placed next to a Beni Ourain tribal rug. Both are beautiful in their context, but you would never attempt to compare the two and determine which one was better, just as you would never say that the primitive African tribal art was any less of a piece of art than a Vermeer still life.

As you can see, the question of which is the best rug just got both more complex and yet more straightforward at the same time. The answer is the classic one of not being able to compare apples with oranges. You can only fairly compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges, even though both are still within the larger fruit category. You can compare a Honey-crisp apple to a Granny Smith apple and say that one is sweeter than the other or that perhaps one has more brilliant color and better firmness. You can compare a seedless navel orange to blood orange, but you would typically not compare a Granny Smith Apple to blood orange and call it a fair comparison. Some prefer apples, some may choose oranges, and so it goes in the world of fine carpets too. Final Answer: The Ultimate Best Rugs

The short answer to the best rugs would have to be that there is no overall best rug. In addition, when talking about the best carpets, it is essential to note that they cannot be compared fairly across different categories. Sure, rugs within each variety stand out as the best rug examples for one reason or another. Perhaps, they have beautiful and unusual colors, or the design is more delicate and more detailed than expected. Maybe the rug represents a specific historical era or was made and signed by a master weaver. Perhaps the carpet has a charming tribal quality and a one-of-a-kind character that you will find nowhere else. Some rugs out there are simply breathtaking, and it isn’t easy to put words as to why this is so.

Some of the best rugs just seem to have a sublime quality that inspires a sense of awe.

Some rugs stand out as exceptional in the world of hand-knotted carpets, and some even find a consensus among many who say they are spectacular. In some cases, not everyone can agree on the merits of the rug. Choosing the right or the best carpet for you depends on your style and finding the one you are drawn to above all others.

Ultimately, “your” best rug is the one that you fall in love with as soon as you see it. It is the one that leaves you instantly awestruck and makes you forget to breathe for a few seconds. This is the best rug and the beginning of a long relationship that will continue for many years into the future. Take a look around and see if you find the one that makes you fall in love. That truly is the answer to the question, “what is the best rug?”

Rug and Rugs

An Intro To The World Of Rugs

When it comes to the world of rugs, there is no denying the riveting beauty of hand-knotted area rugs. Their vibrant colors and intricate designs add to interior design styles ranging from traditional to modern. They can serve as the main attraction or play a supporting role. Before you begin browsing the magnificent Persian carpet designs that are available, there are a few things that you need to know that will help you understand what you are purchasing and help you appreciate them even more.

What Are The Types of Knots Used To Weave A Rug?

In carpet making, weavers use different types of rug knots. The knot used is primarily based on region and culture, but this is not always the rule, and you can find carpets that mimic other areas. This is especially true with more modern rugs where techniques became more uniform across regions. Before we explain the various knots you may find, let’s clarify a few basics first.

First, you need to understand the terms warp and weft. The warp is the threads that run vertically on the carpet. They were tightly strung to the rug weaving loom as the rug was being made. Sometimes, older texts will use the term “woof.” These tightly strung strings are the foundation of the carpet. They can be wool, cotton, silk, or sometimes exotic fibers. The warp type used depends on the region and what was available, affordable, or preferred by the rug weavers in local communities.

You will not see the warp threads of the carpet unless you look at the back. It is the weft that is the main attraction. The weft can either be woven in an over / under technique, tapestry woven (kilim), or consist of rows of knots. When knots are used, several rows of plain weave are used to keep them in place. Now, let’s explore the knots.

The most common type of knot is known as the Senneh, asymmetric knot, or Persian knot. It is used throughout the carpets of Iran, India, Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. Each knot is worked over a pair of warp threads. The knot circles around one of the warp threads but only passes behind the other. Both knot ends are visible on the front side of the carpet and make up the design you see.

What Are The Types of Knots Used To Weave A Rug?

The field of the rug is the portion inside the borders. They can be an open or solid color area, a medallion design, a repeated motif, an allover pattern, a panel, or a pictorial element. Prayer rugs are a separate class and have a design that is meant to mimic a Mosque, called a

Medallion rugs also have other formal elements. Spandrels, sometimes called legal corners or quarter panels, are found in the four corners of the field. Details known as pendants can sometimes be found on either one or both medallions ends.

The borders of the rug frame the field. Carpets can have as many as ten or more bands surrounding them. Often, there is the main border and a series of narrow walls, called guard borders, to “protect” the main barrier.

Throughout the world, the rug’s colors have a special meaning too. This differs from region to region and among local traditions. One will often find the same rug symbols or motifs. Often, these symbols are a type of language that conveys a special meaning and differs regionally.

What about the rug fringe?

You might notice that some rugs have fringe on the ends, while others do not. Whether you prefer to have it or not is a matter of personal preference. Sometimes, the boundary is short on antique rugs, not because it was intended that way, but because it has been worn away over the years. Some newer carpets have fringe that can be five or 6-inches long.

Long fringe can give the rug a tribal or Boho chic look, but it also tends to show dirt more quickly than the rest of the carpet. It is difficult to clean and often gets caught up in the vacuum. The fringe is a functional part of the rug necessary for the weaving process.

The fringe or tassels are the remnants of the warp threads that form the foundation upon which the knots or weaving are placed. They initially run from one end to the other and are tied to the loom. There are two basic ways to end the weaving so that it does not unravel once the work is complete. You can use a technique called hemstitching or overcast stitch or tie the fringe. However, hemstitching is not a technique used in Oriental and Persian rugs. Knotted fringe is used almost exclusively.

Whether the rug has fringe or not impacts the carpet’s value, but if the knots become untied or you cut them off, the rug’s ends will begin to unravel, which will devalue the rug. The fringe is an essential part of the carpet’s foundation on a hand-knotted rug.

Sometimes, the fringe will be ultra-white when you first purchase the rug. Often, this means that it has been breached, especially if it is a cotton fringe. This can break off over time, and the carpet can begin to unravel on the ends. Unfortunately, this makes cleaning them even more difficult.

Some choose to cut the fringe shorter, but you need to be careful and not cut them so fast that the knots begin to slide off the ends and unravel. If you have a rug that has already started to wear, you can take it to a rug repair service that can do a weaver’s hemstitch on the ends to prevent the unraveling from continuing. If done correctly, this should only have to be done once, and it should hold for the lifetime of the rug.

Love it, or hate it, fringe is a necessary part of the rug to help preserve it. The idea is to save as many of the original knots as possible. An improperly executed overcast stitch can cause more problems than it prevents. If you have a rug that needs to have the ends secured, it is best to take it to an expert.

Now that you understand the rug basics, you can appreciate them even more. They are the culmination of thousands of years of tradition and cultural heritage. Carpets are both practical and symbolic. Each one is unique and represents the design choices of the designers, rug weavers, and local traditions. A tremendous amount of effort and thought goes into creating these fantastic works of art, and each one reflects the heart and soul of the weaver. Enjoy them as you stroll around our website and search for the one that speaks to you in a particular way.

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