How to Recognize a Vintage Persian Rug

 Persian rugs are among the most famous carpets of all time. Their vast array of motifs, materials and colors combined with their storied cultural history makes them an enduring favorite for collectors and interior designers alike. Whether you are looking for a carpet to add depth and excitement to your living room or one to accent the bed in your master suite, an authentic vintage persian rug will surely impress.

Antique persian rugs are considered true works of art with the unique ability to transport you back in time to exotic and faraway lands. These stunning pieces of textile artistry are coveted all over the world for their high quality weave, beautiful colors and intricate patterns. The richly textured and colorful antique Persian rugs were traditionally used as floor coverings for nomads, clerics or kings to adorn their homes and castles. Today, they are treasured for their ability to elevate the look and feel of any room in which they are placed.

How do you recognize a vintage persian rug from an imitation? The first indication is the type of knot that was utilized. Antique persian rugs are woven with a tight knot (Turkish knot) where each thread passes behind and around two adjacent warps. The weft then pulls the two ends through both, forming a single, durable thread with an artistic symmetrical design. Unlike modern machine woven carpets made from acrylic or polyester, an antique persian rug’s knot is visible on the front of the rug, which is what gives it its distinctive texture and appearance.

The second indication is the color palette used in the rug. True antique persian rugs utilize natural dyes rather than chemically produced and blended colors. Moreover, these antique rugs were hand-dyed by craftsmen using a process of boiling, heating and pressing. The result is a gorgeous palette of earthy hues that blends beautifully with any room in which they are placed. In addition to their luminous, natural color, antique persian rugs also possess an essence and energy that is not found in modern carpets. The nuances of their design, color and texture create a warm and inviting atmosphere that is sure to be appreciated by any guest that enters your home or office space.

LEVEL 2-HIGH COLLECTIBLE

The rugs in this category were woven 140 to over 200 years ago, and they have fluid, subtly varied designs with exotic use of nuanced color. They are among the highest caliber of all antique rugs and are one-of-a-kind artistic masterpieces that combine time-seasoned natural dyes with ingenious renditions of traditional motifs.

These rugs are woven in the major cities of Persia, including Tabriz, Sultanabad, Kerman and Heriz. They are characterized by the use of floral and geometric designs in varying hues.

LEVEL 3-CONNOISSEUR CALIBER

The rugs in this category are not as high in artistic virtuosity as the ones in the level 2 high collectible group, but they are still very rare and unique antique rugs. They feature the best examples of a wide range of styles and weaving techniques from all major Persian centers, tribal groups and regions.vintage persian rugs