Skip to main content

Karadja Heriz

Vintage Persian Karadja Heriz Runner with Tribal Design
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive vintage Persian tribal design Karadja Heriz runner rug featuring nine medallions
Category

20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Throw size Persian Karadja Heriz rug with a soft denim blue field with other rustic colors
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 40 in L 51 in
Large Blue Persian Heriz Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Persian Karadja Heriz rug. Measures: 16" x 32".
Category

20th Century Folk Art Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

Antique Persian Heriz Karajeh Rug Vibrant Tribal, c. 1900s
Located in Hudson, NY
A richly colored Karadja Heriz from Northwest Iran. A tribal rug from a mountain region that
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
, and are Karadja, Heriz, Sarab, Ahar, Bakshaish, Gorevan, and Mehrevan. As you may know, most
Category

Vintage 1970s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Antique Persian Heriz Rug
W 123 in L 164 in
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Square Oriental Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare square size Persian Heriz Karadja all-over design oriental rug. Orange ground color with
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Karadja Carpet
Located in Closter, NJ
Persian Karadja carpets and runners are woven in the northwestern part of the country in a small
Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Persian Karadja Runner
Located in Closter, NJ
Persian Karadja rugs and runners are woven in the northwestern part of the country in a small
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Mid-20th Century Karadja Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful mid-20th century Persian Karadja runner with multiple stylized floral medallions woven
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid 20th Century NW Persian Heriz Karadja Wool Area Rug Runner Mat 2.9' x 10'
Located in Dayton, OH
Post WWII NW Persian Vintage rug runner or mat from the Heriz-Karadja villages area, circa 1950-60s
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th Century Persian Heriz Karadja rug with traditional colors. Measures: 3'8'' x 4'6''.
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Heriz Rug
Antique Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 44 in L 54 in
Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
villages in the area. The Heriz label is applied to regional rugs originating in Ahar, Gorevan, Karadja and
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 104 in L 146 in
Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the middle of the 20th century Measures: 3'4” x 6'7”.
Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

 Persian Heriz Runner
 Persian Heriz Runner
Free Shipping
W 40 in L 79 in
Persian Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Classic early 20th century Persian Heriz Karadja rug in terracotta, blues and grays Measures
Category

20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz  Rug
Persian Heriz  Rug
Free Shipping
W 52 in L 79 in
Colorful Small Size Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century Persian Heriz karadja small rug with cheerful colors Measures: 2'11'' x 4'4''.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Narrow Persian Neutral Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
A narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. Measures: 1'10
Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Narrow Persian Neutral Heriz Runner
Narrow Persian Neutral Heriz Runner
Free Shipping
W 22 in L 72 in
Orange Antique Persian Heriz Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A room size Persian karadja weave heriz rug . Orangy-red field, navy border. Accents in light green
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Orange Antique Persian Heriz Carpet
Orange Antique Persian Heriz Carpet
Free Shipping
W 107 in L 128 in
Zabihi Collection Narrow Antique Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
A very narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. Measures
Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Narrow Persian Neutral Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
A very narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. Measures: 2'3
Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Heriz Karaja Runner, Short Hallway Tribal Style Runner
Located in Dallas, TX
75797 Vintage Persian Heriz Karaja Runner, Short Hallway Tribal Style Runner. This hand knotted
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Antique Navy Blue Narrow Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with an all
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Chippendale Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Charcoal Brown Navy Room Size Early 20th Century Masculine Rug
Located in New York, NY
villages in the area. The Heriz label is applied to regional rugs originating in Ahar, Gorevan, karadja and
Category

20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Runner from Northwest Persia
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Northwest Persian runner featuring a motif typically found in Persian Heriz
Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Runner from Northwest Persia
Antique Runner from Northwest Persia
Free Shipping
W 50 in L 130 in

People Also Browsed

Worn-In Distressed Antique Persian Karaja Heriz Rug with Rustic Style
Located in Dallas, TX
72988 Worn-In Distressed Antique Persian Karaja Heriz Rug with Rustic Style. This hand-knotted wool distressed antique Persian Karaja Heriz rug with Mid-Century Modern style features...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Majestic early 20th Century Sofa with Floral Fabric
Located in Milano, IT
Discover the charm of this early 20th-century sofa with Italian floral fabric. Every detail of this sofa, from the meticulously crafted wood carvings to the vintage fabric, reflects ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Georgian Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Antique Art Deco Rug Runner
Located in Katonah, NY
:: Pictorial landscape design motif with a hut, fence, mountainous region, blossomed trees, in an oval shaped format. Colors and shades include: Dusty blush, faded cochineal red, dar...
Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Northwest Persian Rug Runner
Located in Katonah, NY
:: Repeating single center column medallions in geometric format with serrated interior blossoms. Unique artistic merit throughout with minor asymmetry found in the contour and desig...
Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Persian Karaja Heriz Rug with Tribal Style, Study or Home Office Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
77067 antique Persian Karaja Heriz rug with Tribal style, Study or Home Office rug. This hand knotted wool antique Persian Karaja Heriz rug features three medallions with cruciform m...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Chinese Carved Ruby Red Glass Overlay Clear Horses Snuff Bottle Qing 19c
Located in Richmond, CA
Antique late Qing Dynasty ruby red glass overlay clear ground snuff bottle, hand carved with a horse in a treed meadow scene to each side, carved elephant head and ring taoties to s...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Scholar's Objects

Materials

Jade

Vintage Karaja Square Rug
Located in Katonah, NY
:: Diamond shaped center medallion with hook and latch leaf design element adorned at either end by larger geometric floral palmette mirrored medallions atop a covered field of boteh...
Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Semi Antique Persian Heriz Tribal Design Runner
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Midcentury semi antique Persian Heriz runner rug featuring a tribal design style. The carpet has five stacked medallions centered by a cream colored medallion. Gorgeous reds and pink...
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid-Century Hand-Blown Murano Glass Emerald Green & Millefiori Detailed Bowl
Located in New York, NY
This unique and colorful Mid-Century Modernist Hand-Blown Murano Glass Emerald Green & Millefiori Detailed Oblong Glass Bowl originates from Italy, Circa 1960. Features an elongated ...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Murano Glass

Antique Karadja Runner -19th Century Karadja Runner, Antique Rug, Antique Runner
Located in Sultanahmet, 34
19th Century Karadja Runner This magnificent 19th-century antique Karadja rug is a masterpiece that weaves the history, art and culture of its time into its intricate patterns. Each...
Category

Antique 19th Century Asian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Persian Heriz rug. 1'2'' x 1'6''
Category

20th Century Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

Pillow Cover Made from a Chinese Art Deco Rug, early 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert, Linen in the back. Zipper closure. Dry cleaning is recommended.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Pillows and Throws

Materials

Wool

Pillow Cover Made from a Chinese Art Deco Rug, early 20th C.
Pillow Cover Made from a Chinese Art Deco Rug, early 20th C.
Free Shipping
H 55.52 in W 27.17 in D 0.2 in
Striking Muller Freres Polychrome 'Jades' glass ball vase c 1920 -signed
By Muller Fres Luneville
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Striking and very beautiful Muller Freres large polychrome 'Jades' vase -highly fire polished and with random patches of yellow, red and brown. The vase is a simplified double gourd ...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Chinese Hardstone Grape Cluster Arrangement, circa 1935-1940
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Chinese hardstone grape cluster arrangement, circa 1935-1940. Realistically modeled grapes, vines and leaves in various color jades, arranged on a stone slab raised base, connected w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Stone

Pair of Chinese Hardstone and Jade Flower Models
Located in London, GB
Pair of Chinese hardstone and jade flower models Chinese, 20th Century Height 33cm, width 25cm, depth 17cm This superb pair of hardstone flower models are almost identical in desi...
Category

20th Century Chinese Models and Miniatures

Materials

Jade, Metal

Antique Persian Karaja Heriz Rug with Modern Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73317 Antique Persian Karaja Heriz rug with Modern Tribal style 02'10 x 03'10. This hand-knotted wool antique Persian Heriz rug features three medallions composed of a serrated centr...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Recent Sales

Antique Karadja Heriz Carpet with Camel Corners
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique Karadja Heriz carpet dating from circa 1910 with all-natural colors, mid-blue border, camel
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Karaja, Heriz, Geometric Design, Rust Field, Wool, 3x5, 1915
Located in Williamsburg, VA
, also sometimes spelled Karadja, is a small village outside of the city of Heriz in Northwest Persia
Category

Early 20th Century Central Asian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karadja Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Authentic antique Persian Heriz Karadja rug with an all-over geometric motif on a brick red ground.
Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karadja Heriz Rug
Antique Karadja Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 58 in L 75 in
Antique Navy Blue Karadja Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja rug with an all -over geometric motif on a navy blue ground.
Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Navy Blue Karadja Heriz Rug
Antique Navy Blue Karadja Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 58 in L 72 in
Antique Heriz Karadja Runner
Located in New York, NY
A classic karadja heriz in a long runner you don't quite often find. Navy field with a terracotta
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Blue Persian Heriz Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Pillow made from a vintage Persian Karadja Heriz rug. Measures: 17" x 21".
Category

20th Century Folk Art Persian Rugs

Materials

Cotton, Foam, Wool

Blue Persian Heriz Rug Pillow
Blue Persian Heriz Rug Pillow
H 21 in W 17 in L 21 in
Blue Persian Heriz Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
2 Pillows made from a vintage Persian Karadja Heriz rug. Measures: 17" x 21" and 17'' x 20
Category

20th Century Folk Art Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

Heriz Karadja Runner
Located in New York, NY
A narrow Antique Heriz Karadja Runner with beautiful tropical colors. Karadja is a village in the
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rugs

Heriz Karadja Runner
Heriz Karadja Runner
Free Shipping
W 32 in L 163 in
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful Persian Heriz Karadja throw rug. The best antique Heriz carpets are found in their
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Free Shipping
W 40 in L 53 in
Persian Heriz Karajeh Karadja Rug
Located in New York, NY
Produced in the Karajeh (also know as Karadja), a small village near Tabriz these rugs are
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Karajeh Karadja Rug
Persian Heriz Karajeh Karadja Rug
Free Shipping
W 57 in L 77 in
Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Located in New York, NY
Square size Persian heriz rug with an ocean blue field and camel border. Heriz carpets are
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Free Shipping
W 59 in L 71 in
Heriz Karadja Shabby Chic Rug
Located in New York, NY
Perfectly textured Persian Heriz rug.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Heriz Karadja Shabby Chic Rug
Heriz Karadja Shabby Chic Rug
Free Shipping
W 25 in L 45 in
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Located in New York, NY
Classic Persian Heriz Karadja weave rug in navy blues, green, and terracotas.
Category

20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Free Shipping
W 60 in L 74 in
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Rug
Located in New York, NY
Bold high contrast Persian Heriz Karadja rug from the early 20th century.
Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Narrow Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Located in New York, NY
A narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. Measures: 1'9” x
Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Narrow Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Narrow Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Free Shipping
W 21 in L 67 in
Antique Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja runner featuring a navy blue field.
Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Tudor Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Antique Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Free Shipping
W 36 in L 166 in
Antique Blue Persian Heriz Square Karadja Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare size colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja rug.
Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Tudor Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Eclectic Persian Heriz Scatter Karadja Weave Rug
Located in New York, NY
Eclectic Persian Heriz throw rug.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian American Colonial Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Sky Blue Persian Heriz Karadja Accent, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A high quality early 20th century northwest Persian Heriz Karadja accent size rug . A sky blue
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rustic Geometric Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Carpet, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A room size hard to size found Persian antique Persian Heriz Karadja weave all-over design rug
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karadja Carpet
Located in St. Albans, GB
A wonderful antique Heriz carpet, hand woven circa 1900 with a large geometrical medallion on a
Category

Antique Early 1900s Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karadja Carpet
Antique Karadja Carpet
Free Shipping
W 104.34 in L 137.8 in
Antique Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja short runner featuring a navy blue field.
Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Tudor Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Heriz Runner
Antique Heriz Runner
Free Shipping
H 93 in W 40 in L 93 in
Antique Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja runner. Navy background with predominant accents in sky blue
Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Tudor Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Heriz Runner
Antique Heriz Runner
Free Shipping
W 36 in L 130 in
Green Gray Brown Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Persian Heriz Karadja rug in earth tones. Gray, green, brick, light blue are
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Green Gray Brown Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Green Gray Brown Antique Persian Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 52 in L 75 in
Short Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Heriz Karadja runner.  
Category

20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Short Persian Heriz Runner
Short Persian Heriz Runner
Free Shipping
W 33 in L 74 in
Persian Heriz Rug Mat
Located in New York, NY
Small Persian Heriz Karadja rug mat.
Category

20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Rug Mat
Persian Heriz Rug Mat
Free Shipping
W 26 in L 32 in
Persian Heriz Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
Earth toned Persian Heriz Karadja throw rug.
Category

20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Throw Rug
Persian Heriz Throw Rug
Free Shipping
W 34 in L 49 in
Antique Navy Ground Room Size Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja rug with a floral and geometric motif on a vibrant navy blue
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Navy Ground Room Size Heriz Rug
Antique Navy Ground Room Size Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 109 in L 138 in
Zabihi Collection Antique Navy Blue Heriz Scatter Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja rug with an all-over geometric motif on a navy blue ground
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Mid-Century Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Narrow Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Located in New York, NY
A narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. Measures: 2'4” x
Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Narrow Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Narrow Persian Heriz Karadja Runner
Free Shipping
W 28 in L 105 in
Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Camel and Blue
Located in New York, NY
Casual best describe this one of a kind antique Persian Heriz scatter rug.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Karadja Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful mid-20th century Persian Karadja runner with several stylized floral medallions woven
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Karadja Runner 3' x 16'3
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Persian Karadja Runner 3' x 16'3. Vintage handwoven wool Persian runner with a traditional
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Narrow colorful Persian Heriz karadja runner The best antique Heriz carpets are found in their
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Heriz Runner
Persian Heriz Runner
Free Shipping
W 26 in L 122 in
Square Antique Navy Blue Heriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful antique Persian Heriz Karadja rug with a floral and geometric motif on a navy blue ground.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Square Antique Navy Blue Heriz Rug
Square Antique Navy Blue Heriz Rug
Free Shipping
W 62 in L 66 in
Antique Persian Karaja, Heriz, Geometric Design, Rust Field, Wool, 1915
Located in Williamsburg, VA
, also sometimes spelled Karadja, is a small village outside of the city of Heriz in Northwest Persia
Category

Early 20th Century Central Asian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Karaja, Heriz, Geometric Design, Rust Field, Wool, 1940
Located in Williamsburg, VA
, also sometimes spelled Karadja, is a small village outside of the city of Heriz in Northwest Persia
Category

Early 20th Century Central Asian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Karadja Heriz", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Karadja Heriz For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal karadja heriz for your home. Frequently made of fabric and wool, every karadja heriz was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the karadja heriz you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each karadja heriz bearing Mid-Century Modern hallmarks is very popular.

How Much is a Karadja Heriz?

Prices for a karadja heriz start at $900 and top out at $17,750 with the average selling for $3,500.

Finding the Right persian-rugs for You

Make a bold statement in a living room or bedroom by incorporating vintage Persian rugs in your home decor.

A Persian carpet lends an aura of prestige to any room, even today. The fascination with Persian rugs dates at least as far back as the 4th century B.C., when historian Xenophon referred to the “soft rugs on which the Persians sit.” For centuries, Iran (modern-day Persia) has been known for the craftsmanship, intricate patterns and artistry of its carpets, which have found their way into households and museums around the world.

Although they have many imitators, real Persian rugs are made only in Iran and are easily recognized by their vibrant colors and elegant patterns.

Traditional, or antique, Persian rugs are what most people identify as “authentic.” Hand-made, they are very durable and, if properly cared for, can be passed down from generation to generation. Modern Persians, on the other hand, are often machine-made. Today’s carpets, Iranian or otherwise, can’t possibly match the level of craftsmanship that prevailed centuries ago, so historical Persian carpets will always be admired and highly valued.

Although the machine-aided production process is much faster and cheaper, the resulting rugs typically do not have the same quality or lifespan as handwoven ones, so traditional options are considered better investments.

To distinguish between the two, look for imperfections. Because traditional Persian rugs are handwoven, you will likely see small flaws on the front and back. With a machine-made imitation, on the other hand, you will probably not find stitching glitches, and the back will have a mesh or plastic covering.

Antique rugs are handmade from the finest materials, including wool, silk or cotton — never synthetic fibers. The fibers used in antique rugs are colored using natural dyes derived from insects and plants and woven into bold designs that reflect Iran’s culture and history. Since Persian tribes traditionally raised and herded sheep, wool was the most common material. The fiber has many advantages: It is fire-resistant and dries much more quickly than cotton. Also, because of its natural elasticity, it is more durable than cotton or silk. Regarded as works of art, Persian rugs can take months or years to complete.

The different types of Persian rugs are named for the cities, villages and regions where they’re made. Kashan rugs, for example, woven in the north-central Iranian city of Kashan, are considered among the finest city rugs, distinguished by curvilinear motifs like palmettos, leaves and arabesques. Nains have high knot counts, an indication of high quality, and generally employ pink, blue and ivory hues, while Tabriz rugs — created by weavers in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabrīz (or Tabriz) — mostly have floral and garden patterns. 

When shopping for vintage Persian rugs, you'll want to consider color, size and more — for a history of these rugs and tips on how to style yours, visit our guide to these woven creations today.

Find Tabriz rugs, handmade silk Persian rugs, Persian tribal rugs and other antique and vintage rugs from the world's best furniture dealers on 1stDibs.