The same guide will give you some insights into the main features of the genuine Persian rugs, how to differentiate between them, and other types, how to define the origin of a certain rug, and what features of a product indicate high-quality and high-level authentic craftsmanship.
What Defines a Persian Rug?
The original meaning of a Persian carpet is a hand-made carpet knotted in Iran (historically known as Persia). These rugs have been centuries old and have been woven in cities and villages with specific patterns, designs, and local materials. Compared to the machine-made rug or any other country-made rug, the genuine Persian rug is characterized by:
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Hand-knotting (or mainly asymmetrical knotting)
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Natural wool, silk, or cotton bases
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Local themes and symbols are associated with a certain city or tribe
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Love of individuality (there are no two alike)
Key Features of Authentic Persian Rugs
1. Hand-Knotting vs. Machine-Made
The greatest distinguishing quality of a Persian rug is that it is not machine-produced, but is hand-knotted.
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Check the back of the rug: Is the pattern of the back almost as clear as the front, and can you see the knots individually? In that case, it would be quite probable that it is handmade. The machine-made rugs usually possess mesh or latex backs, and their colors are blurred or pixelated on the back.
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Look for slight imperfections: Since a Persian carpet is knotted by hand, a real one will usually contain small weaknesses in the pattern or the symmetry, evidence of a human being at work.
2. Knot Type and Density
The asymmetrical or Persian (Senneh) knot is most commonly used on most Persian rugs, and permits a greater detail and curved design to the rug. A few tribal or regional rugs may employ symmetrical (Turkish or Ghiordes) knots.
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To verify: To count how many knots are according to one square inch (KPSI) on the back of the rug. Luxury Persian carpets regularly pass over 120 KPSI, with museum-quality silk carpets reaching in excess of 800 KPSI.
3. Material Quality
Natural fibers are used to make authentic Persian rugs:
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Wool: The most often used type, particularly the tribal or village carpeting
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Silk: It is used in finer, more luxurious rugs in cities (e.g., Qom, Isfahan)
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Cotton: Frequently put to use in the warping, foundation, and warp threads
Touch the rug with your hand, real wool will come off as soft but somewhat coarse, whereas silk is smooth and glowing. Artificial fabrics are a warning.
4. Natural Dyes
Real Persian carpets are dyed with vegetable or natural dyes and tend to be deeply colored, with a very slightly uneven tone to them. On the other hand, synthetic dyes can be too consistent or too bright.
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Test hint: Search for a little spot of color differences in the field and margins-these deliberate inconsistencies are named abrash and are characteristic of hand-dyeing.
5. Fringe Integration
With a genuine Persian rug, the fringe is made to be part of the foundation of the rug ( the warp threads run beyond the rug itself ). It is not to be stitched or pasted, like lower imitations.
Regional Styles and Rug Origin
The origin of a Persian rug is what makes the identity of the rug. Every area has created its own distinctive set of motifs, weaving styles, and dye sets, which present an incredible scope of styles and attributes.
Tabriz Rugs
Tabriz rugs are woven in the ancient city of Tabriz, which lies in the northwest of Iran. They are considered to be the most detailed and sophisticated of all the Persian rugs. They are characterized in these rugs as flower medallion images, fine architectural designs, and hunting scenes that are intricate. They are also characterized by a high knot count of 200 and more than 400 knots per square inch (KPSI) and are connected with luscious colors like ivory, deep red, navy blue, and soft green.
Isfahan Rugs
Isfahan carpets are found in central Iran and boast of the elegant arabesque and slim curvilinear designs. There is usually a central balanced medallion placed on a detailed floral field on these rugs. A lot of Isfahan rugs come with silk bases and have a wonderful percentage of knots, which leave them quite smooth and rich. Typical color schemes are ivory backgrounds and touches of soft blue, burgundy, and beige.
Kashan Rugs
The Kashan rugs represent one of the oldest centers of weaving in Iran and are characterized by the symmetrical medallion-and-corner patterns. The patterns are usually flowery, and the borders are done very carefully. These carpets are quite knotted, and that is why their quality is very strong and long-lasting. On some of Kashan rugs, the signature of the weaver is placed on the border — a guarantee of their dignity and excellence.
Nain Rugs
The Nain rugs were produced in the proximity of the large desert in Iran, to be more specific, in the central part of the country, and can be easily identified by their clean and classy look. Such carpets usually employ a mixture of wool and silk to run down the subtly light and a precise finish. Nain carpets are usually named by their La count, 4 La, 6 La, or 9 La, with fewer La meaning higher quality and more knots per inch. They tend to have more muted tones, with the most common ones being ivory, beige, and navy blue.
Heriz Rugs
Heriz rugs are manufactured in an area surrounding Tabriz. They are characterized by strong, geometric designs and a large central medallion. Heriz rugs, unlike the intricate designs of city rugs, have an earthy, rugged, and rustic look. Thin whereof they are woven thick wool and coarser weft, so that they are altogether most durable, and suited to places of passage. Deep and rich tones of earth, like rust beige, along with deep blue, usually make it to their palette.
Tribal and Nomadic Rugs
In addition to urban rugs, the nomadic tribes of Iran make some of the most expressive and culturally diverse Persian carpets. These are usually in confident, symbolic shapes and heavy, handspun wool.
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Qashqai Rugs
The tribal rug design most known is that of the Qashqai community of south western Iran and the Shiraz area. The motive of Qashqai rugs is carried out by spirited geometrical patterns and commonly, will contain stylized types of animals or human forms. They are of rich red backgrounds and complex borders, which make them rich and dynamic looking. Every Qashqai rug is a visual diary, the subject of which can be woven but not written.
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Baluch Rugs
The Baluch more resemble rugs set in the border country along Afghanistan and along the southeastern part of Iran, and tend to be a little narrower and are darker in tone. They are commonly applied as prayer rugs and are designed in simple, limited styles with natural color schemes like dark color tones of brown, blue, and maroon. They are beautiful as well as rough and tough because of their fine wool and tight weaving texture, but are still underrepresented, usually, when it comes to more colorful Persian carpeting.
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Bakhtiari Rugs
Specifically, the garden-motif patterns of the Bakhtiari rugs produced by the Bakhtiari people of the western part of Iran are very unique. Often, they will have a checkerboard surface with each square having a variation of a flower or symbol. These carpets are very well organized in their composition, but the individual workmanship inside each unit demonstrates the creativity and individual expression of the weaver. Bakhtiari rugs are heavy and thick in weave and are decorative and practical at the same time.
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Gabbeh Rugs
Gabbeh rugs (woven by Luri and Qashqai nomads) have a more recent and modern (minimalist) style. They are sometimes made of wool, thick and soft, and the fields of color are abstractions or naive. Being simple in design, the Gabbeh rugs have emotional depth, which refers to the spontaneous ideas and feelings of the weaver. They are particularly in vogue in contemporary interior design in their plush pile and rough beauty.
Authenticity Tips from Experts
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Look at the back knots, which are clear, and this is a hand-knotted
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Check that the fringe must be included as part of the rug and not attached
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Look out for a brush in dye colors
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Avoid hard-edged or machine-finished rugs
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Comparison of designs with some credible sources
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In case you are unsure, consult a Persian rug specialist
Final Thoughts
Finding a real Persian rug is an interesting and fulfilling process. Once you know essential information — such as knotting, origin, dye, and materials used — you can train your eye to avert your gaze to the difference between an authentic work and a reproduction. You may be a collector or a curious buyer, but correct identification will contribute to the conservation of the heritage of these amazing weavings.
Whether you need advice, appraisals, or to look through our collection of Persian rugs, make a call today to Makhdom Rugs.
Disclaimer
This is for informational purposes. Although we want to be very accurate with the guidance that we give on identification, Makhdom Rugs does not assume any responsibility in certifying or valuing any rug without a professional appraisal. You should always ask for official confirmation or valuation of your Persian rug from a certified expert. Makhdom Rugs cannot be held responsible for any actions taken under this content.
