Persian Rugs
The best rugs in the world, or so many believe.
Iran has a an extensive and illustrious history of rug making that extends back to several centuries before common era. Archaeological evidence suggests that rug production existed even during the Bronze Age! Mainly used as floor coverings and to serve as a source of warmth, rugs are a mainstay of Persian culture. Those of higher quality were considered a sign of wealth and produced for noblemen and royalty.
Considered to be the birthplace of the lush pile rug we know today, the techniques and methods of master weavers and dyers have been passed down through the generations so that each style in the country remains unique and distinctive.
Diversity is a key element that distinguishes the complexity of the rug making industry in Iran. Common traits exist amongst all Persian rugs, such as elegant patterns that are highly ornate and the usage of vibrant colours. The most common material used in traditional Persian rugs was typically wool, sometimes combined with silk. In some cases, silk was the only material used. Other materials that may have also been used were cotton and gold.
Within the world of Persian rugs, there are several styles. These styles and techniques are mainly defined by the region or city in which they were made and are heavily influence by the surrounding culture and social customs of that area. Regions may be broadly defined by the general area of the country, such as Northwest, Central, and Eastern Persia. They may be further classified by the city or province, such as Afshar, Isfahan (Esfahan), Nain, Najafabad, Qum, Saruk, and Yazd, including several more that are too numerous to list. Some of the craftsmen in these regions are nomadic tribesmen.
It has only been since the 1500s that Persian rugs and the techniques/styles of Persian weavers became readily available outside of the country and it was in the 1800s when export to Western countries was initiated.
A good quality rug can be judged by several factors including, most importantly, the knots per square inch. Other factors are the tightness of its weave and the colouring. Because they are handwoven, each Persian rug is a unique product that can never be identical to another.
An interesting fact about traditional Persian rugs is that sometimes, a master weaver will make an intentional mistake during production, as it is believed that perfection can only be achieved by the supreme power. It may be that the rug is not perfectly symmetrical in size or that the colouring is off in tone. This does not take away from its quality or value – in fact, it will add to it.
Today, high quality traditional Persian rugs dating back several centuries are prized by antique rug collectors and aficionados. It is not uncommon for pricetags of such rugs to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, an amount willingly paid by serious collectors.
