What You Must Know Before Buying Persian Rugs

From ancient times to the present, hand-knotted oriental rugs, each of which is a work of art and produced with great effort, have been the world's most admired and valuable rugs. Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, India, and China are the most popular countries producing Oriental area rugs. However, Persian rugs are the most well-known and the first to come to mind when we think about oriental rugs.

So, What is a Persian rug?

Persian carpets (also known as Iranian carpets) dates back to approximately 2500 years ago. When we look at the 2500-year history of the Persian rugs, we can say that the answer to “Who invented carpets?” is the Persians (now Iranians).

Hand-knotted Persian rugs have host stories from the weavers. The person who weaves the rug weaves the rug by their dreams. E.g., the nomadic rugs of Qashqai are not woven with a predetermined pattern. They weave carpets the way they feel that day, so each rug has different patterns. However, other cities generally have rug designers that design patterns and shapes before weaving the rug.

Persian rugs, which are very valuable, are a good piece of decoration for your home but also a wise investment. Generally, most people avoid these if they have pets or kids. These rugs are sensitive to traffic, and many activities can ruin them. When purchasing these rugs, which have very high prices, be sure to check whether they are original or not! So how do we know that oriental area rugs are authentic? In this article, we will share all the essential information about Persian carpets and how you can identify the original Persian rug.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Persian Rug

The reason why vintage Persian rugs with rich colors and exotic designs attract so much attention is their ability to blend seamlessly with almost any type of decor, especially contemporary spaces. These rugs are timeless and versatile. 

When buying a Persian area rug, you should pay attention to many things such as the material, dyes, number of knots, design, pattern, and price.

Materials

The most crucial feature of Iranian rugs and oriental rugs is that they are produced using quality materials such as wool, cotton, and silk and colored with vegetable dyes. You can create an authentic decoration in your home with these unique carpets, which master rug weavers weave with Iranian knotting techniques by spending days.

• Wool - Most of the hand-knotted Oriental area rugs are made of wool. You can use Persian area rugs made of wool, which have a durable and soft texture, in your home for many years. If you want a luxurious area rug that will become the star of your home and attract attention, Iranian carpets made of wool should undoubtedly be your choice.
• Silk Persian rugs are more than a rug! Silk is the least used material in Persian rugs because it is costly. We recommend using your shining silk Persian rugs for very decorative purposes; you can use them in areas with little traffic in your home and hang them like a wall hanging.
• Cotton - Compared to cotton, wool, and silk, it is more affordable and less durable. 

If you do not have enough budget for Persian rugs, you can choose oriental area rugs made by machine using 100% Polypropylene material, which looks as stylish as Persian rugs.

Knot Count

One of the most defining elements of a quality Persian rug is the number of knots. A high-quality Persian area rug has at least 120 knots per square inch. You can get information about the number of knots in the carpet from carpet sellers, or you can examine the knot density by turning the back of the rug. In a quality Persian rug, the knots are well organized; you should be able to follow the patterns you see on the front of the rug in the same way on the back of the carpet. 

Remember, more knots do not mean a better quality rug!

Hand-knotted Feature

Quality Persian area rugs are handmade; they are woven with great effort by master carpet weavers. If you want to buy an authentic Persian rug, make sure it is knotted by hand and not by machines! The dense texture of the hand-knotted Persian rug will be immediately recognized by its bright and richly colored appearance. You can check the knots by looking at the back of the rug.

Design and Pattern

Let's admit it, the first thing we look at when choosing a rug is the design and patterns of the rug. Design and pattern are the most striking elements in oriental area rugs that will sparkle in our home, create a wonderful atmosphere, and fascinate those who see it.

Persian rugs, which have a lot of patterns and complex designs, are pretty tricky to weave, but weaving these designs is a good indicator of the level of mastery. In the designs of traditional Iranian rugs, where you can often see the classic eastern breeze, modern motifs have also been bristling in recent years.

Each city in Iran has its unique style of rug weaving, design, and quality. We recommend that you examine the most famous Persian rugs styles, both to distinguish the original Persian rugs and to determine which motifs are suitable for your style. Here are some;

• Tabriz rugs: Tabriz has been one of the rug production centers in Iran for thousands of years. These rugs are made of wool, silk, or a mixture of both. Tabriz rugs are knotted symmetrically; They feature hunting scenes, trees, medallions, and many more patterns.
• Kashan rugs: There are medallions and unique corner patterns in the design of Kashan rugs, and you can also often come across palmette, leaf, and flower patterns. These rugs generally are dyed in red and dark blue colors.
• Heriz rugs: With their bold, unique, and distinctive patterns, they are among the most famous rugs in Iran. The main pattern of these rugs is large geometric medallions woven into the center of the rug.
• Isfahan rugs: Compared to other Persian rugs, Isfahan rugs generally have more knots. The ancient and architectural structures of the city of Isfahan have had a significant impact on the design of rugs. You can see trees, animals, vines, flowers, geometric medallions, and many more patterns in its design. This rug is woven on a silk or cotton surface using wool, which is very high quality.

Colors and Dyes

The importance of colors in living spaces is undeniable. The color combinations you prefer for your rooms are essential elements that make your dream spaces livable.

Persian area rugs have natural colors as their material comes from natural dyes such as the red of pomegranates and the blue of the indigoes.

You can create a stylish and warm atmosphere in your home with the irresistible charm of red, a bold color. Especially the red Persian rug is indispensable for the living room. The most popular rugs in the Iranian area rugs are red Persian rugs. 

If you are looking for a flashy rug with patterns but calm colors, you can choose a black and white Persian rug. Rugs woven in these colors will suit modern homes very well.

How to clean Persian rugs?

The rugs in your home must be clean both for health and for a pleasant appearance. Iranian carpets, the most popular among oriental rugs, are sensitive due to the materials they are made from and the types of dyes used. To not damage the texture and color of your expensive Persian rugs, you should get help from experts in cleaning! It's generally a brilliant idea for Asian rug owners to get their rugs professionally cleaned in intervals of every 4 to 5 years.

While doing your general carpet cleaning, you can follow these steps;

• Shake the dust-out - it is a straightforward method; you will clean your rug from dust.
• Sweep your rugs at least once every two weeks. Do not move your vacuum cleaner too much back and forth when sweeping, as this may damage your rug; clean from one end to the other in one go.

Each Persian rug creates incredible atmospheres in the rooms of your home with its striking patterns, colors, and handicrafts. Before you buy these costly rugs, be sure to pay attention to the topics we have mentioned above, such as the material used, dyes quality, weaving style! However, If you do not have enough budget to buy Persian rugs and want to lay your rug comfortably and clean it easily without fear. In that case, we recommend that you the oriental area rugs made from polypropylene and woven by machine.

If you want to learn more about area rugs, you can read our other blog posts. Here are some of them: “Decorating Your Home with Rugs for Winter” and “Choosing The Right Area Rugs: A Guide.”