MondArt - Persian & Oriental Rug Warehouse

Modern rugs are fairly easy to distinguish, since their designs are significantly different from traditional and transitional rugs. Also known as contemporary rugs, modern rugs follow weaving techniques of the old way, but feature designs that are vastly different.

How To Spot A Modern Rug

1. Designs that are comprised of simple geometric or abstract patterns that tend to be asymmetric. They may have no form. Sometimes, there may be no pattern at all – just one solid colour (with some variation in tone depending on the dyeing process. This variation in colour is known as abrash).

2. While borders remain a prominent feature of traditional and transitional rugs, none exist in contemporary designs.

3. When it comes to colours, modern rugs are often in one colour in varying shades or a number of colours that contrast strikingly.

4. Modern Persian Rugs tend to match a broader variety of furnishings and interiors, particularly with styles that are currently in fashion.

At Mondart, a large portion of our Modern Rugs are woven in the region of Tibet and Nepal. Other areas from which contemporary designs hail include China and cities in Iran, such as  Tabriz, Hamadan and Ghabe (also spelled Gabbeh).

The Modern Rug pictured is handmade in Tibet. It is part of our luxurious Modern Silk Carpet Collection and comes in a variety of sizes: 6′ x9′, 8′ x 10′ and 9′ x 12′. (Rug Code: AD 106A/Ar263 (#50)).

Typical of Modern Rug designs, this beautiful rug features asymmetrical splashes of colour in bold and dramatic shades, with a subtle shimmer that only a pile crafted with silk can achieve. Although many colours appear, each is harmoniously balanced, broadening its compatibility with surrounding walls, furnishings and fabrics.

To view the other pieces in our Modern Silk Carpet Collection, please visit our fully stocked gallery of Persian and Oriental Rugs from around the world, or browse our Modern Rug catalog online.

And on that note, we’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Best wishes from everyone at Mondart.

Mondart has a special selection of handmade Persian Rugs that have been signed by the masterweaver who created it. These rugs, all produced in different regions in Iran, are beautiful pieces that have been woven in the traditional style. Bearing a signature may sometimes not increase its value, but it certainly adds personality and individualism. The weaver isn’t a faceless person living in a far away place – it brings the user closer to the craftsman.

Here are two of our signed Persian Rugs. To see more, simply drop by our gallery at 60 Doncaster Ave Suite 6 in Thornhill, ON.

Signed Persian Isfahan Rug

The signed Persian Rug seen here is from Isfahan, once the capital of the country. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and thriving industrial city located in the centre of Iran.

Isfahan has long been reputed for producing some of the highest quality rugs in the world that boast such traits as high KPSI (Knots Per Square Inch) counts, elaborately ornate designs that commonly feature a central medallion, and the finest natural materials available in the region, such as silk and kurk wool (a downy wool taken from the shoulder and neck area of mountain lambs).

This rug, in shades of gentle brown, beige and pink, is made with a pile that is kurk wool and silk, with a silk base. As such, it is quite fine. It measures approximately 6.3′ x 4.3′ and is new.

The signature appears on the edge of the carpet, between the fringe and the coloured border. On either side of the signature is the Iranian flag, a common feature of rugs woven in Isfahan.

(For more information about this rug, please contact us regarding Rug Code: 20-10.)

Signed Persian Khashan Rug

This stunning red and brown Persian Rug is from the city of Khashan (also spelled Kashan), another place with a distinguished history in rug weaving located in the centre of the country. Kashan Rugs tend to have designs that are highly ornate and intricate, with plenty of floral motifs. Colours tend to be vibrate, in reds, ivories and greens, although other colours such as blue may also appear. They are finer with knots in high density, being made of wool, cotton and sometimes silk.

The signature on this handwoven piece appears in two places – along the edge of the rug at the centre. It may be difficult to see since it is designed, in the true spirit of Kashan Rugs, rather intricately in a way that it almost disappears into the complexity of the design. The size of this rug is approximately 4.8′ x 7.5′. The pile is made of fine wool and the base is cotton. It is new.

(For more information about this rug, please contact us regarding Rug Code: 352N1292.)

The handmade Persian Rugs we have at Mondart come in a beautiful array of colours acquired from natural dyes. A single rug may have up to 15 different colours. Common colours, such as browns, blues and reds, may vary from light and subtle (which create an airy space) to rich and dark (which create the illusion of a smaller, more intimate space). A single rug may boast a number of colours, but there is always one that dominates – and it is this shade that should be considered when finding a rug suitable for your home.

And don’t forget to look at the rug from different angles! One of the most beautiful features of a well made Persian Rug is that from different angles, its colours can change depending on the direction in which the pile is facing. It can appear vibrant in one direction, and more subdued in another.

Brown
If your room has plenty of blue, you might want to consider choosing a rug that is predominately brown. Brown, a  warm colour that can be comforting, has always been traditionally paired with blue. The two colours work harmoniously, which is probably why they are also commonly seen together on rugs. Creamy white also makes a good match for any shade of brown, as well as blue.

Red
Red, particularly the deeper shades frequently seen on traditional Persian Rugs, can be a striking colour that catches the eye and doesn’t let go. It may demand attention, but when paired with rich mahogany furniture as well as fabrics in gray, army green and white, it compliments rather than overwhelms. It can create quite a posh atmosphere.

Blue
Traditional rugs often have deeper blues that can hold up to the even deeper reds. These deep blues match well with browns, greys, yellows, reds and even oranges. A rug that is predominately blue can create a room that is posh or relaxed – it all depends on what types of furniture and fabrics you include.

Lighter shades of blue, much like all the colours that are more common in Transitional Rugs, are better paired with lighter shades of yellow, red and orange.