Persian Rugs

I don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “Persia,” I think of the magic lamp, caravans, and flying carpets. Until many years ago, Persia itself was, for me, a place of fantasy. I now know that this region is located in what is now Iran and was known as the “Persian Empire” until 1935. However, this multi-ethnic nation is home to many other ethnic groups besides the Persians, who have been famous for their carpets for centuries. The oldest surviving Persian carpets date back to before the 11th century.

Their heavy weave is created primarily using two different types of knots. Depending on whether symmetrical or asymmetrical knots are used in their production, an expert can determine which region the carpets originate from. Originally, they were made for symbolic purposes or used in the home. Wool, cotton, or silk fibers—which were given their enchanting luster through plant-based dyes—were painstakingly processed by hand. Red, yellow, green, black, orange, and blue are the colors of historic Persian carpets. The patterns also vary depending on the region of origin. Traditionally, a Persian rug features a central medallion around which the rest of the design is arranged. When knotting the rug, particular emphasis was placed on achieving balance in the pattern. Symmetry was the top priority.

Because these carpets were so incredibly beautiful, it wasn’t long before it became fashionable in European countries as well to adorn one’s home with a Persian carpet. For this reason, Persian rulers often gave them as diplomatic gifts to the rulers of Europe. Just how popular they were can be seen from the fact that the Polish prince Czartotsky exhibited several pieces from his personal collection at the Paris World’s Fair in 1878.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Persian carpet production shifted toward artisanal manufacturing. To counteract the negative effects of mass production, which would have resulted in a decline in quality, the government enacted strict laws. As early as 1936, the National Carpet Company was founded with the goal of preserving the best of the artisanal tradition. This effort was successful, as in 2010 the “traditional art of carpet weaving” was added to the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Meanwhile, these patterns and colors also serve as templates for machine-made carpets, which are, of course, much less expensive than hand-knotted carpets. However, they naturally lack the charm of the authentic pieces.

Even today, the term “Persian rug” is still synonymous with quality and authenticity. To the connoisseur, the names of individual rugs reveal their place of origin, the primary colors used, and the most commonly depicted motifs. 

Oriental rugs have different names based on their density; for example, Persian rugs are also referred to as Nain, Isfahan, or Ghom rugs. Nain rugs have an incredible knot density of 1,000,000 knots per square meter. The surface feels almost as supple and smooth as silk. Isfahan rugs, with a knot density of 650,000 knots per square meter and up, are of very high quality and are therefore considered, along with Nain rugs, to be among the very best.