$26,000
Antique Fereghan Carpet
Located in Closter, NJ
The Arak province in northern Persia has produced the greatest number of large carpets of any other Persian province.
Wool, Cotton
Antique Turkish Farahan Gift-Sized Rug with Floral Design by Rug&Kilim 1920-1929
Located in Long Island City, NY
On the Design: Hailing from the historic Farahan plain in central Turkish Arak province, Farahan carpets occupy an exalted tier in 19th and early 20th-century textile history.
Wool
Antique Turkish Farahan Gift-Sized Square Rug by Rug & Kilim, 1920-1929
Located in Long Island City, NY
On the Design: Hailing from the historic Farahan plain in central Turkish Arak province, Farahan carpets occupy an exalted rank in Eastern textile art.
Wool
$2,400Sale Price|33% Off
Kazak Rug 6'8'' x 6'10''
Located in New York, NY
Ziegler carpets, that are manufactured in Pakistan, have patterns that are copied from older traditions in the Arak district, Persia.
Wool
Handwoven Turkish Sultanabad Wool Runner Rug with Floral Motifs, 12'2" x 30'8"
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted from high-quality wool, the rug features a substantial, durable pile and a tightly executed weave, reflecting the enduring craftsmanship associated with carpets from the Arak...
Wool, Cotton
$880Sale Price|63% Off
Kazak Rug 3'10'' x 5'10''
Located in New York, NY
Ziegler carpets, that are manufactured in Pakistan, have patterns that are copied from older traditions in the Arak district, Persia.
Wool
Oversized Antique Sultanabad Beige Rug - c. 1900 (Size Adjusted)
Located in New York, NY
Originating from the renowned weaving center of Sultanabad (modern-day Arak), such carpets are prized for their large-scale patterns, balanced compositions, and adaptability to both ...
Wool
Antique Persian Viss / Arak Runner
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Flawless, 40's Persian Viss Runner Handwoven in Viss area of Arak, Iran. Featuring soft and plush Persian wool masterfully hand woven, by tribal persian natives. This piece boasts...
Wool
7.5'x11' Rare, Antique Viss / Arak - Persian Rug - Rust
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Jaw dropping 60's Persian Arak. Often referred to as a "Sarouk Rug", this rug more specifically was woven in the city of Arak. Arak rug's are noted for being sturdy soft, and intrica...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Viss / Arak - Tribal Persian Rug - Coral, Navy, Gold
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Gorgeous Antique Viss of Arak, Tribal Rug 5' 7" x 3' 7" Incredibly attractive Viss (Wiss) design rug woven in the Arak area. This Viss design is well recognized around the world an...
Wool
5.5'x8.5' Antique Wis / Arak - Persian Rug - Salmon , Navy , Gold
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Stunning 50's Persian Arak. Often referred to as a Sarouk rug this piece is actually more specifically woven in Arak. Known for this signature color-scheme and unique boarders. These...
Wool, Cotton
Unavailable
W 44.89 in L 110.63 in
Antique Arak Persian Runner - Geometric Tribal Design - Rust, Navy, Gold , Black
Located in Blacksburg, VA
Stunning Antique Persian Arak Runner 3' 9" x 9' 3" Beautiful 1940's tribal style Persian runner handwoven in Arak. Rugs woven in this area have heavy tribal influences, due to the ...
Wool
Unusual Antique Josheghan Sarouk
Located in Aspen, CO
Woven of 100% Persian wool in the Arak district of Iran. These carpets were special for they had a distinct design that separated it from any other Persian carpet.
Wool
Antique Persian Arak
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful antique Persian Arak has a center medallion with hues of salmon, blue, brown, and beige. This piece has an exquisite border that really showcases the details and beaut...
Wool
Oversized Antique Persian Sultanabad Carpet
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Antique Persian Rust and Navy Blue Mahal Ziegler Carpet
Located in New York, NY
The name “Mahal” derives from a village known as Mahallat in the Arak region of Iran. This carpet measures 6.10 x 10.9 ft and is from the 1920s-1930s.
Wool
Antique Persian Pink Rose Light Blue Floral Mahal Ziegler Rug
Located in New York, NY
The name “Mahal” derives from a village known as Mahallat in the Arak region of Iran. This carpet measures 10.6 x 13.4 ft and is from the 1920s.
Wool, Cotton
Antique Persian Red Gold Floral Mahal Ziegler Rug, c. 1880-1900s
Located in New York, NY
The name “Mahal” derives from a village known as Mahallat in the Arak region of Iran. This carpet measures 8.7 x 10.3 ft and is from the 1880-1900s.
Wool, Cotton
Antique Persian Sarouk Rug 1'11'' x 2'6''
Located in New York, NY
The well-woven village carpets from the Arak/Sultanabad area, especially the red field/navy border, detached floral spray pattern “American Sarouks” of the 1920-1970 period.
Wool
Breathtaking Gray Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Light Blue Background Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Fine Pak Kazak Pakistan Rug, Hand Knotted
Located in New York, NY
Ziegler carpets, that are manufactured in Pakistan, have patterns that are copied from older traditions in the Arak district, Persia.
Wool
Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad Rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Large Blue Background Sultanabad Persian Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Antique Zigler Sultanabad Persian Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad Rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad Rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Wonderful Mid-20th Century Arak Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
Wonderful mid-20th century Persian Arak rug with a fantastic central diamond medallion woven with myriad trees-of-life on a bright crimsons background. The diamond medallion lives am...
Wool
Distressed Late 19th Century Fereghan Carpet
Located in Closter, NJ
The Arak province in northern Persia has produced the greatest number of large carpets of any other Persian province.
Wool, Cotton
Antique Rug Early 20th Century Lilihan Classic Carpet Red and Blue
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Lilihan is a famous village for Persian rug and carpet manufacturing. Located in the western Persian province of ARAK / Sarouk, it includes the carpet provinces of Arak, Djozan, G...
Wool
Decorative Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
The term Sultanabad has come to distinguish the oldest and highest quality Mahal rugs which were produced in the Arak region. Sultanabad Rugs and carpets were made in the same area a...
Wool
Antique Early 20th Century Northwest Persian Rug
Located in Closter, NJ
The geographical region of Northwest Persia with its’ cities and villages was at the forefront of the large-scale export of rugs and carpets in the late 19th century. The merchants ...
Wool, Cotton
Late 19th Century Persian Sarouk Farahan Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful late 19th century Persian Sarouk Farahan rug with a stunning camel field. The central medallion is a stepped diamond form. Surrounding this center are delicate botanical ...
Wool
19th Century Sarouk Farahan Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful 19th century Persian Sarouk Farahan rug with a central medallion with scrolling vines on an indigo background, on a field of multicolored flowers, surrounded by an amazin...
Wool
Vintage Indian Isfahan Design Carpet
Located in Katonah, NY
:: Elaborate Safavid era reproduction based on an original design which ultimately set the world record for the most expensive carpet ever sold. The main field is comprised of double...
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful large antique Heriz rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover a magnificent antique Heriz rug, boasting exquisite geometric and decorative patterns in rich, natural hues. This masterpiece is meticulously hand-knotted with sumptuous woo...
Wool, Cotton
Mid 20th Century Persian Heriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous mid-20th century Persian Heriz rug with a madder red field featuring an angular medallion. The central motif is anchored by a deep indigo core and extends into serrated le...
Wool
Antique Fine Malayer Square Rug
Located in Katonah, NY
Sprawling serrated leaves in multi-layered format interconnected by columned vines atop a covered field of blossoms and palmettes, all interconnected. Wide banded main border in a pa...
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A gorgeous 1920s Persian Heriz rug with a geometric pattern typical of Azerbaijan. The central field consists of a vibrant terracotta ground featuring a large-scale medallion. This c...
Wool
Vintage Persian Isfahan Rug
By Mehraban Rugs
Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
Isfahan is pile-woven wool that features a spectacular blue hue that makes it stand out from the crowd. Every detailed embellishment and motif is meticulously created together with t...
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Sarouk Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century Persian Sarouk rug with a red field densely populated with detached floral sprays. A small medallion consisting of a floral cluster anchors the design....
Wool
Wonderful New Persian Design Indian Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice new rug with beautiful Persian design and nice colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation.
Wool
Antique Kazak Rug 3'5'' x 4'0''
Located in New York, NY
Antique Kazak Rug 3'5'' x 4'0''.
Wool
Antique Persian Mahal Rug
Located in Closter, NJ
The Arak region in central Persia is generally accepted to have produced more large carpets than any other province in that country. During the second half of the nineteenth century,...
Wool, Cotton
Wonderful New Persian Design Indian Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice new rug with beautiful Persian design and nice colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation.
Wool
Wonderful New Persian Design Indian Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice new rug with beautiful Persian design and nice colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation.
Wool
Antique Kazak Rug 3'4'' x 5'2''
Located in New York, NY
Antique Kazak Rug 3'4'' x 5'2''. SW Caucasus/Armenia. Boldly patterned, strongly colored, totally geometric, all wool, coarse to moderate weave, medium to long pile, scatter format p...
Wool
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.
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