“Persian Rug” – The King Of The Rugs

Rugs enhance the house’s beauty and add comfortable cushioning on the floor. Carpets are a total miracle. The moment they are laid on the floor, they cast a spell on the home decor. They give true meaning to any area they are placed in. Persian rugs are one of the best choices among the wide variety of options available in the market. They are drastically different from other rugs in terms of quality, materials used, and designs.
The Antique Persian Rugs are endowed with beautiful geometric designs which have with them a great history and symbolic purpose.
Persian rugs are popular, handmade and are dated back to ancient Iran, where they were made for the first time. A Persian area rug is a textile rug made from heavy, expensive, natural materials such as wool, cotton, and silk and is used for practical and symbolic purposes. Persian carpets are very elaborate, detailed, and have various designs; hence, they are a much better option than any other rugs. As a result, these have long been the favorite of antiquities experts. At the same time, these rugs always manage to surprise amateur rug enthusiasts too.

What Is A Persian Rug Called?

Persian rugs are known by various names like Heriz Rug, Isfahan rug, Kerman, Nain rug, Gabbeh, Hamadan, Qom, Sarouk Persian carpets, Senneh, Moud, Qom rug, Nahavand, Tabriz rug, Ardabil, Afghan rug, Ushak carpet, Lilihan carpets, and Bakshaish. Since the Persian style rug originates initially from Iran itself, the country was previously called Persia, and hence this is where it got its name from.

Persian Lori rugs are known as the ‘King of all Rugs’ due to being the most well-designed, most pleasing, and superior rug. The patterns woven on these Persian area rugs are known as ‘Rug Motifs,’ and all these Persian ‘Rug Motifs’ have deep in-depth meanings associated with them. These motifs are selected according to the room they are designed to be kept in.

Why Are Persian Rugs Famous?

Persian rugs are adored by many because of their intricate designs, vivid color combinations, and unparalleled craftsmanship. All these amazing qualities make these rugs highly investment-worthy. As a result, Persian carpets have found their way into households and interiors worldwide. Besides, they are also highly durable, long-lasting, and have an antique look.

The elegant Persian rug first gained popularity during the reign of the Safavid Dynasty, dating back to the 16th century. Since then, it has been climbing its stairs of success continuously. It is even said that the more the Modern Persian rugs are washed, the brighter, beautiful, and exquisite they turn out to be, and the softer they become after every wash.

Persian rugs have a great history. Trade and exchanges in general with Europe, the English, French, and Dutch led to the popularity of this rug. The kings used to love this rug and thought that this was a symbol of rage, luxurious lifestyle, and royalty. So it used to be the favorite of most of them.

Persian rugs continue to impress the audience and fashionistas, even on modern fashion events, met galas, and runways. The proofs are Sui’s designs, Hermes’ Persian-inspired ‘Tabriz’ collection from 2013, Givenchy’s Persian rug-obsessed autumn/winter 2015 collection, and autumn/winter 2017 Alexander McQueen collection. A Dutch designer Marlou Breuls in 2016 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week bagged the people’s choice award for a Persian rug composed outfit. Etro and Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green outfits are enough to prove how loved these Persian carpets are to date.

Signs Of An Authentic Persian Rug

Nowadays, Persian rugs are found everywhere, whether it’s your neighbor’s house or an office, at the temple, or a traditional restaurant. It is incredibly easy to check if a Persian rug is authentic or not. You just need to take a closer look. If it is imperfectly dyed or its fringes look old, and the knots of the Persian Style rug is not proper, you may conclude that rug to be a fake one. Persian rugs never fade or are not imperfectly dyed. Neither do they have improper knots. Antique Persian rugs are total opposites.

The Middle East of Iran is the only place where authentic Persian rugs are made. These are the only Persian rugs that are given the title of authenticity. This is because they are never mass manufactured in a factory. Machines can’t equalize those Persian runner rugs made specially by hand. So it can be said the only authentic Persian rugs are handcrafted. Whereas machine-made rugs mostly originate from western countries, mainly manufactured in North America and Europe.

Why Are Persian Rugs Valuable?

The original Persian Rugs are knitted by hand and have precisely twenty knots per six centimeters. The knits are done accordingly with precise measurements and leave no uncertainty behind. Persian rug jacquees are made from a hundred percent wool, repeatedly brushed to give it a natural-silk-like feel. Most of the red Persian and green Persian rugs are decades to century-old, and almost all of them are from the 1900s and hence are antique.

These are some of the most delicate rugs, and it takes almost one year to complete such a rug. Moreover, the rich colors of Persian carpets are extracted from all-natural products and are free from any synthetic compounds, known as “toxic” dyes. Its rarity, antiqueness, and naturally rich shades make it super-expensive. But despite the extravagant price, they are highly recommended and have excellent return value for money spent. The Persian rugs are works of art. Rather than being made from synthetic materials, these rugs are all-natural. There is no doubt that the impact that its serenity can have on your home would not be unnoticed.

What Is The Price Of A Persian Rug?

The most expensive rug ever sold was a Persian rug, “Sotheby’s,” made in the seventeenth century. It was sold for thirty-three million dollars at the auction of Sotheby, New York. On average, they cost from around fourteen hundred dollars to twenty-two hundred dollars. However, they can go up to twenty thousand dollars, depending upon the material, size, and making time.  Another factor is the size. The greater the rug size of the rug, the more the materials used, and directly proportional is the effort required to produce it. Hence, a five to six numbered price tag.

The measurement of knots per square inch signifies the complexity and tightness of the weaving technique used. First, the reverse side of the Persian carpet is seen, and a 1-inch x 1-inch area is chosen. Afterward, the horizontal weave and the vertical run are counted. Then, they must be multiplied together to find the knot density. The greater the density, the more densely bound the rug is. Hence, making higher quality, more expensive carpets.

What Is The Difference Between Persian Rugs, Moroccan Rugs, And Afghan Rugs?

One of the primary and foremost contradictions between Persian, Moroccan, and Afghan rugs is their origin. As per its name, a Moroccan name originates from Morocco. The native people of Morocco have kept their rug crafting tradition alive since the Paleolithic Era. Moroccan rugs are typically made from a thick fabric, explicitly chosen for their soft texture. As a result, their rugs are softer and warmer than any other rug found in the world. And the credit totally goes to Morocco for being such a cold country. The color range of this rug is primarily neutral, but it can also go up to some bright, eye-catchy colors. The Moroccan rugs are mainly made to satisfy the needs of the cold weather rather than being a material for décor. Hence, making it a significant asset for the Moroccan people.

Afghan rugs are made by hand in Afghanistan’s northern and western areas by Afghan Turkmens and Uzbeks. These Afghan rugs play an essential part in the history of Afghanistan by reflecting the heritage of cottage-industry-based craftsmanship passed through countless generations. Their royal colors are taken from natural dyes extracted from various plants and vegetables. Primarily found in medium size, the Afghan rug is available in many patterns and colors. However, the most traditional print is the Bukhara, also known as the octagonal elephant’s foot.

The Moroccan rugs and Afghan rugs are found at affordable prices, yet another difference that makes them different from Persian carpets.

How Are A Persian Rug And An Oriental Rug Different?

primary and foremost difference between the expensive Persian rug and Oriental rug is the technique by which they are made. Bidjar Persian rugs are made in Iran and Pakistan. On the other hand, Oriental rugs are made in countries such as India, Turkey, China, Tibet, and Egypt.

The other contradiction is that though both these rugs are handmade, only Persian carpets can be washed by hand. The reason is that to make colorful Persian rugs, natural colors are used during manufacturing, and since these colors are not synthetic, they cause no harm to the hands of the person who washes them. On the contrary, Oriental rugs involve artificial colors, and hence they can’t be washed by hand.

The third difference between the mid-century, modern Persian rug and an Oriental rug is the type of knot used to make these rugs. The Bashir Persian rug involves the Senneh knot (also known as an asymmetrical knot), whereas the Oriental rug involves the Ghiordes knot (also known as an asymmetrical knot).

How is a Persian Rug Cleaned?

If you want to keep your lovely Persian rug looking brand new, a lot of maintenance is required. But it would be worth it because the life of a Persian rug increases with cleaning. Generally, modern rug owners get their rugs cleaned by a professional cleaner; however, there are some techniques you can use to clean them yourself.

• The first and the easiest one is to vacuum it. Cleaning with the help of a vacuum cleaner is the best method. Easy yet effective. Then, repeat the vacuum cleaning process thrice to correctly remove all the dust particles embedded in it.

• The Persian-style rug can also be cleaned by using a clean, dry cloth. Lay down your Vintage Persian Rug and clean it with the use of a clean cloth, precisely as you mop up a floor. Repeat the process until you find it dust-free.
• The third one is by deep cleaning. Just have some ounces of water, detergent, and cleaning brush and clean the rug by placing it on the clean and flat surface.

To Clean The Bidjar Persian Rug By Hand:

• Take it to an area with enough space to clean this rug, like an outside garden or terrace.
• Hold the corners of the colorful Persian rug and shake it several times. The shaking of the carpet will remove impurities like dirt or food particles from the carpet.
• Use any strong stick to beat the rug on its top and bottom sides.

After a thorough beating, the rug is mostly clean.

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Some Precautions

• The first precaution is to protect it from any strains. Though you can’t undo what has already been done, you can try not to spill some ketchup or food upon it from hereon!
• The second one is to never walk upon the rug with shoes on. Walking upon any vintage product would lead to the accumulation of dirt on its surface. Hence, it is advised to walk barefoot on such vintage items.

The Struggle Behind Success

Although Persian rugs are popular now, the ladder of success wasn’t easy. There have been many struggles and ups and downs throughout the years. For example, the United States of America in 2010 banned the import of Iranian-made items. The original, round Persian rugs were only made in Iran and had great popularity in the United States. Due to the remote origin, the rug weavers of the carpets made in the USA rose to great fame, and the sales of Persian rugs got a significant sudden fall. But they made a comeback. Now, they are not just traditional rugs or made for older people. Instead, they come in various patterns and designs to perfectly fit into a modern house.

Conclusion

Persian rugs come in various categories, ranging from contemporary to modern, royal to the all-purpose rug. So you can never run out of options to have your favorite Persian rug. Persian rugs are indeed a must for all rug lovers, as you will surely love and adore how beautifully it turns out to be.