Antique Persian Rugs

The Persian rug is more than just a floor covering. It’s a manifestation of a culture with century-old traditions and meanings woven into their unique designs, patterns, and colors. These ancient symbols and motifs can give a rug an aura of significance that even designers far removed from their areas of cultural influence can appreciate and admire.

In addition to their symbolism, antique rugs are coveted for their unsurpassed craftsmanship. Their exquisite materials, sophisticated color palettes, and enduring style make them the epitome of luxury. Their presence in a space carries the promise of a rich history, and can transform the most modern of spaces into a stately manor.

Persian rugs are inherently distinguished by the use of natural dyes. This reliance on natural raw materials allowed each region to develop specific design motifs. Red carpets were often woven using madder roots, yellows from plants like chamomile and onion, blacks from acorns or tanner’s sumach, and blues from indigo. The result is that each individual rug may contain what is referred to as the “Persian flaw” which are imperfections that serve as a hallmark of authenticity and handmade quality.

When shopping for an antique Persian rug, it is essential to examine the front and back of the piece. The knots of Persian rugs are always hand-knotted, and the majority are made using the symmetrical Turkish or Persian knot. Rugs that are woven around a number of warps other than 2 will look very different in the front and back from Persian rugs, and typically have lower levels of durability. vintage persian rugs