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Iranian Prayer Rug

4x5 17th Century Museum Persian Silk Tabriz Rug Prayer Design Tapestry 122x158cm
4x5 17th Century Museum Persian Silk Tabriz Rug Prayer Design Tapestry 122x158cm

4x5 17th Century Museum Persian Silk Tabriz Rug Prayer Design Tapestry 122x158cm

Located in New York, NY

This extraordinary 17th-century Persian Silk Tabriz prayer rug is a museum-worthy example of Safavid weaving, featuring an elegant architectural mihrab framed by intricate floral orn...

Category

Antique 17th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Recent Sales

19th Century Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug
19th Century Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug

19th Century Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug

Unavailable

W 51 in L 68 in

19th Century Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

Mid-late 19th century Persian Tabriz prayer rug. This Tabriz features a singular prayer niche marked out by the central tree on the ivory field.

Category

Antique 1870s Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Silk Tabriz Prayer Rug, Northwest Persia
Antique Silk Tabriz Prayer Rug, Northwest Persia

Antique Silk Tabriz Prayer Rug, Northwest Persia

Located in New York, NY

Antique silk Tabriz Prayer rug, Northwest Persia. A high quality pictorial and Directional design. This rug is a unique interpretation of the traditional symmetrical columnar niche f...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Square Tribal Turkoman Prayer Rug, circa 1960
Square Tribal Turkoman Prayer Rug, circa 1960

Square Tribal Turkoman Prayer Rug, circa 1960

Located in Northridge, CA

Small square Turkoman rrayer rug in a tribal design, circa 1960 Measures: 3' 1" x 3' 1" Hand-knotted wool pile on a cotton foundation. Field: Ivory Border: Cherry-red A...

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Unusual Persian Bakhtiari Prayer Rug with Bird Design, circa 1940
Unusual Persian Bakhtiari Prayer Rug with Bird Design, circa 1940

Unusual Persian Bakhtiari Prayer Rug with Bird Design, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Unusual Persian Bakhtiari Prayer rug with Bird Design circa 1940 Measures: 5' 5" x 8' 11" Hand-knotted wool pile, cotton foundation Field: Rust Border Color: Tan Accent Color: Na...

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Islamic Prayer Rug 'Sajjadah', Kashan, Persia, Early 20th Century
Antique Islamic Prayer Rug 'Sajjadah', Kashan, Persia, Early 20th Century

Antique Islamic Prayer Rug 'Sajjadah', Kashan, Persia, Early 20th Century

Located in New York, NY

Antique Islamic Prayer rug (Sajjadah), Kashan, Persia, early 20th century. A fine natural dyed shiny wool in a dense Persian knot in short pile on an all wool foundation. An intrica...

Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Islamic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Prayer Rug
Antique Prayer Rug

Antique Prayer Rug

Sold

W 62 in L 34 in

Antique Prayer Rug

Located in New York, NY

A highly collectible prayer rug featuring a stylized "tree-of-life" on a field of un-dyed camel hair.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Shirvan Prayer Rug
Shirvan Prayer Rug

Shirvan Prayer Rug

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W 48 in L 58 in

Shirvan Prayer Rug

Located in Dublin, NH

This finely woven prayer rug from the southern Caucasus contains a veritable garden of flowering plants almost seemingly individually planted within the over all trellis extending bo...

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Caucasian Rugs

Silk Fereghan Prayer Rug
Silk Fereghan Prayer Rug

Silk Fereghan Prayer Rug

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W 50 in L 82 in

Silk Fereghan Prayer Rug

Located in Dublin, NH

The intricate drawing and fine detailing afforded the weaver by the use of silk pile is on full display in this antique prayer rug from central Persia. Shimmering blues as well as co...

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Vintage Persian Qum Vase Prayer Rug
Vintage Persian Qum Vase Prayer Rug

Vintage Persian Qum Vase Prayer Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

Showcasing a directional prayer rug layout with a mihrab niche, this vintage Persian prayer rug is poised to impress.

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Other

Antique Persian Silk Prayer Kerman Rug
Antique Persian Silk Prayer Kerman Rug

Antique Persian Silk Prayer Kerman Rug

By Kerman

Located in New York, NY

Antique Persian Kerman Rug, Persia, c. 1900 - This comely antique rug of Kerman origin is characterized by a lovely, especially elaborate prayer design. Resplendent with beautifully ...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Early 20th Century Persian Prayer Rug
Early 20th Century Persian Prayer Rug

Early 20th Century Persian Prayer Rug

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century Persian Talish prayer rug with vibrant indigo background surrounded by multiple contrasting borders.  2'6" x 4'2" Reza's Rug Gallery #: 3713 Keywords: Ru...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Tabriz Persian Prayer Design Rug

Antique Tabriz Persian Prayer Design Rug

Located in New York, NY

Created in Tabriz, this beautifully drawn Tree of Life rug depicts an exceptional composition with ornate floral motifs that are rendered in a chic selection of soft powder blues and...

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Baluch Hand Knotted Oriental Prayer Rug
Persian Baluch Hand Knotted Oriental Prayer Rug

Persian Baluch Hand Knotted Oriental Prayer Rug

Located in Big Flats, NY

Hand knotted Persian Baluch prayer rug features stylized figures on ivory ground, reds, blues and ivory, circa 1930. Measures: 50" x 36".

Category

20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Late 19th Century Turkmen Prayer Rug
Wonderful Late 19th Century Turkmen Prayer Rug

Wonderful Late 19th Century Turkmen Prayer Rug

Located in Chicago, IL

A 19th century Persian Turkmen prayer rug with a beautiful elaborate geometric pattern in alternating colors of crimson, indigo, coral, and cream, surrounded by a multiple elaborate ...

Category

Antique 1890s Persian Kilim Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Haji Jalili Antique Silk Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug
Haji Jalili Antique Silk Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug

Haji Jalili Antique Silk Persian Tabriz Prayer Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

Haji Jalili was a well-known master craftsman from Marand, a small town northwest of Tabriz, Iran. This antique silk Tabriz prayer rug features two stylized columns and delicate chan...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Early 20th Century Persian Qum Silk Prayer Rug
Early 20th Century Persian Qum Silk Prayer Rug

Early 20th Century Persian Qum Silk Prayer Rug

Located in Chicago, IL

Woven in the 1930s in the historic city of Qum, this early 20th-century Persian prayer rug is a stunning example of the region’s renowned silk weaving tradition. Hand-knotted from lu...

Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Sarouk Farahan Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Silk Ghom Persian Rug Silk Persian Ghom Rug Prayer Rug Runner Meditation Rug
Silk Ghom Persian Rug Silk Persian Ghom Rug Prayer Rug Runner Meditation Rug

Silk Ghom Persian Rug Silk Persian Ghom Rug Prayer Rug Runner Meditation Rug

Located in New York, NY

Immaculate rare signed Persian silk Ghom Gum rug fine runner carpet pure silk red Size 2'6" x 9' Serial ID # 90392k Design Natural pure organic silk Metric size ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Tribal Style Vintage Persian Gashgai Prayer Rug, Kashgai Qashqai Pictorial Rug
Tribal Style Vintage Persian Gashgai Prayer Rug, Kashgai Qashqai Pictorial Rug

Tribal Style Vintage Persian Gashgai Prayer Rug, Kashgai Qashqai Pictorial Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

76967 Tribal Style Vintage Persian Gashgai Prayer Rug, Kashgai Qashqai Pictorial Rug. Full of character of stately presence, this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Gashgai rug with m...

Category

Late 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Tree-of-life Kashan Prayer Rug
Early 20th Century Tree-of-life Kashan Prayer Rug

Early 20th Century Tree-of-life Kashan Prayer Rug

Located in Chicago, IL

A wonderful and whimsical early 20th century Persian Kashan rug depicting an all-over tree-of-life pattern with several beautifully rendered birds perches amidst leafy branches, and ...

Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Kashan Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Baluch Tribal Oriental Prayer Rug, Stylized Mosque Design
Vintage Persian Baluch Tribal Oriental Prayer Rug, Stylized Mosque Design

Vintage Persian Baluch Tribal Oriental Prayer Rug, Stylized Mosque Design

Located in Big Flats, NY

A vintage Persian Baluch tribal prayer rug offers stylized mosque and feather decoration on red ground, circa 1940. Measures: 62" L x 33" W.

Category

20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Persian Hadji Jali Li Tabriz Poshtee Prayer Rug
19th Century Persian Hadji Jali Li Tabriz Poshtee Prayer Rug

19th Century Persian Hadji Jali Li Tabriz Poshtee Prayer Rug

Located in New York, NY

Authentic Collector Caliber 19th century one of a kind Persian Tabriz rug. Since the mid-19th century, Tabriz has lead a resurgence in Persian carpet-weaving both for domestic use...

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Baluch Prayer Rug, 1900
Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Baluch Prayer Rug, 1900

Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Baluch Prayer Rug, 1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique hand-knotted Persian Baluch oriental prayer rug features traditional repeating geometric design, dominating colors include reds, blues, tans and ivory, 1900 Measures: 61" ...

Category

20th Century Persian Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Kashan Wool Mosque Prayer Rug, Signed in Farsi, circa 1930
Persian Kashan Wool Mosque Prayer Rug, Signed in Farsi, circa 1930

Persian Kashan Wool Mosque Prayer Rug, Signed in Farsi, circa 1930

Located in Big Flats, NY

Persian hand-knotted wool Kashan prayer rug features central mosque design, singed in Farsi, primarily orange, green and blues, circa 1930. Measures: 68" x 53.5".

Category

20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Victorian Style Hand Knotted Persian Prayer Wool Rug Depicting Two Parakeets
Victorian Style Hand Knotted Persian Prayer Wool Rug Depicting Two Parakeets

Victorian Style Hand Knotted Persian Prayer Wool Rug Depicting Two Parakeets

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a lovely hand woven prayer rug depiction two parakeets on a branch. It is Persian and vivid colors of wool. I believe it to be a mid-century piece but am not positive of the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Victorian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Pictorial Persian Isfahan Prayer Carpet
Pictorial Persian Isfahan Prayer Carpet

Pictorial Persian Isfahan Prayer Carpet

Located in New York, NY

Fine quality early 20th century Persian Isfahan carpet with an enchanting prayer niche motif on an ocean blue field.

Category

20th Century Persian Islamic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Distressed Antique Persian Kashan Mille-Fleurs Prayer Rug with Art Nouveau Style
Distressed Antique Persian Kashan Mille-Fleurs Prayer Rug with Art Nouveau Style

Distressed Antique Persian Kashan Mille-Fleurs Prayer Rug with Art Nouveau Style

Located in Dallas, TX

77461, distressed antique Persian Kashan Mille-fleurs prayer rug with Art Nouveau style 04'06 x 06'04. Reminisce of 19th century French designs and decorative elegance, this hand kno...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Kashan Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Tree of Life Qum Silk Prayer Rug with French Rococo Style
Vintage Persian Tree of Life Qum Silk Prayer Rug with French Rococo Style

Vintage Persian Tree of Life Qum Silk Prayer Rug with French Rococo Style

Located in Dallas, TX

77199 vintage Persian tree of life qum silk prayer rug with French Rococo style. A vision of paradise, this hand knotted silk vintage Persian silk Qum prayer rug displays a tradition...

Category

Late 20th Century Persian Rococo Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Kirman Tree of Life or Garden Persian Oriental Prayer Rug, circa 1910
Antique Kirman Tree of Life or Garden Persian Oriental Prayer Rug, circa 1910

Antique Kirman Tree of Life or Garden Persian Oriental Prayer Rug, circa 1910

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique finely woven Kirman Persian oriental prayer rug features traditional garden or tree of life design in pinks and blues on ivory ground, circa 1910.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1920s Blue Green Floral Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Rug 2'5"x3'8" Prayer Carpet
1920s Blue Green Floral Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Rug 2'5"x3'8" Prayer Carpet

1920s Blue Green Floral Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Rug 2'5"x3'8" Prayer Carpet

Located in New York, NY

Antique Persian Tabriz silk rug, Size: 2'5" x 3'8". Antique Tabriz - Silk Small Scatter Size Wool Green Rug, Circa Date: 1920s. This exquisite Persian weaving represents the finest ...

Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Antique Vase Design Persian Isfahan Prayer Rug. 4 ft 6 in x 7 ft
Antique Vase Design Persian Isfahan Prayer Rug. 4 ft 6 in x 7 ft

Antique Vase Design Persian Isfahan Prayer Rug. 4 ft 6 in x 7 ft

Located in New York, NY

Fine Antique Vase Design Persian Isfahan Prayer Rug. Country of Origin / Rug type: Persian Rug, Circa Date: 1920 - Size: 4 ft 6 in x 7 ft (1.37 m x 2.13 m).

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Silk Persian Souf Kashan Prayer Carpet
Antique Silk Persian Souf Kashan Prayer Carpet

Antique Silk Persian Souf Kashan Prayer Carpet

Located in New York, NY

Kashan Rug, Persia - Knotted from luxurious, incomparably luminescent silk fibers, this breathtaking antique Kashan rug displays a sought-after vase composition executed in Kashan's ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Kashan Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Prayer Rug.4 ft 3 in x 5 ft 6 in
Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Prayer Rug.4 ft 3 in x 5 ft 6 in

Antique Persian Tabriz Silk Prayer Rug.4 ft 3 in x 5 ft 6 in

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful small size antique Persian Tabriz silk prayer rug, country of origin: Persia, date: circa 1880, size: 4 ft 3 in x 5 ft 6 in (1.3 m x 1.68 m).

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

19th Century Shirvan Prayer Carpet, 2'10" x 4'9"
19th Century Shirvan Prayer Carpet, 2'10" x 4'9"

19th Century Shirvan Prayer Carpet, 2'10" x 4'9"

Located in Chicago, IL

A 19th century Persian Shirvan prayer carpet with a colorful star pattern surrounded by contrasting floral, sheep, and goat border. Reza's Rug Gallery #: R1539 Keywords: Ru...

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Prayer Tree of Life Persian Isfahan Rug. Size: 4 ft. 5 in x 7 ft
Antique Prayer Tree of Life Persian Isfahan Rug. Size: 4 ft. 5 in x 7 ft

Antique Prayer Tree of Life Persian Isfahan Rug. Size: 4 ft. 5 in x 7 ft

Located in New York, NY

Finely woven antique prayer design Persian Isfahan rug, country of origin: Persia, date circa early 20th century - Size: 4 ft 5 in x 7 ft (1.35 m x 2.13 m). A lovely prayer design tr...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Pair of Antique Lavar Kerman Persian 'Tree of Life' Prayer Carpets
Rare Pair of Antique Lavar Kerman Persian 'Tree of Life' Prayer Carpets

Rare Pair of Antique Lavar Kerman Persian 'Tree of Life' Prayer Carpets

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Not often do we find a pair of rugs. These Persian Lavar Kerman prayer rugs of the early or mid-20th century feature densely woven 'tree of Life' motif with flowers and birds in beau...

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Sarouk Farahan Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Shirvan Prayer Rug
Antique Caucasian Shirvan Prayer Rug

Antique Caucasian Shirvan Prayer Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

77233 Antique Caucasian Marasali Shirvan Prayer Rug 02'08 x 04'08. This hand-knotted wool antique Caucasian Shirvan prayer rug features a mihrab niche with large-scale flowers bloom ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Islamic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Herat Persian Baluch Prayer Rug
Vintage Herat Persian Baluch Prayer Rug

Vintage Herat Persian Baluch Prayer Rug

Located in Dallas, TX

77785 Distressed Vintage Herat Persian Baluch Prayer rug 03'00 x 04'00. With warm hues and rugged beauty, this hand knotted wool distressed vintage Persian Baluch prayer rug beautifu...

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Baluch Prayer Rug, Late 19th Century
Baluch Prayer Rug, Late 19th Century

Baluch Prayer Rug, Late 19th Century

Located in Dublin, NH

Baluch Prayer Rug, Late 19th Century Additional Information: Dimensions: 2'10" W x 3'3" L

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Incredible Late 19th Century Baluch Prayer Rug
Incredible Late 19th Century Baluch Prayer Rug

Incredible Late 19th Century Baluch Prayer Rug

Located in Chicago, IL

An incredible late 19th century Persian Baluch prayer rug with an all-over large-scale tree-of-life pattern woven with indigo, crimson, and brown wool on a gold colored background co...

Category

Antique 1880s Persian Kazak Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Qum Prayer Rug in Bright Red with Floral Bouquet Chandelier
Vintage Persian Qum Prayer Rug in Bright Red with Floral Bouquet Chandelier

Vintage Persian Qum Prayer Rug in Bright Red with Floral Bouquet Chandelier

Located in Atlanta, GA

Vintage Persian Qum prayer rug with bright red field and floral bouquet chandelier Design, rug h-310-18, country of origin / type: Iran / Qum, circa 1950 This beautiful vintage Pe...

Category

Vintage 1950s Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Camel Hair, Antique Persian Baluch with Prayer Design, Wool Hand Knotted Rug
Camel Hair, Antique Persian Baluch with Prayer Design, Wool Hand Knotted Rug

Camel Hair, Antique Persian Baluch with Prayer Design, Wool Hand Knotted Rug

Located in Carlstadt, NJ

This fabulous Hand-Knotted carpet has been created and designed for extra strength and durability. This rug has been handcrafted for weeks in the traditional method that is used to m...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Persian Medieval More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Antique Tribal Prayer Design Persian Gabbeh Rug. Size: 3 ft x 5 ft 3 in
Antique Tribal Prayer Design Persian Gabbeh Rug. Size: 3 ft x 5 ft 3 in

Antique Tribal Prayer Design Persian Gabbeh Rug. Size: 3 ft x 5 ft 3 in

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful Prayer Design Antique Tribal Persian Gabbeh Rug, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Persian Rug, Circa Date: 1936 – Size: 3 ft x 5 ft 3 in (0.91 m x 1.6 m) Like many beautifu...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Tehran rug with prayer niche

Tehran rug with prayer niche

Sold

W 79.93 in L 116.15 in

Tehran rug with prayer niche

Located in Stockholm, SE

North Persia.prayer rug design.Large prayer niche in green tones against a skyblue ground.Cartouche border.The entire design is covered with "millefleurs"

Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Persian Rugs

Antique Vase Design Persian  Prayer Rug
Antique Vase Design Persian  Prayer Rug

Antique Vase Design Persian Prayer Rug

Located in Debrecen-Pallag, HU

This beautiful Persian rug was created in Iran. The rug is crafted from woven wool and features a rectangular central panel adorned with two symmetrical trees and a series of stylise...

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Art Nouveau Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Kirman 'Ravar' Prayer Rug, Persia, Mid-19th Century
Kirman 'Ravar' Prayer Rug, Persia, Mid-19th Century

Kirman 'Ravar' Prayer Rug, Persia, Mid-19th Century

Located in Egerton, Kent

An exceptional Kirman prayer rug of considerable age and beautifully delicate design. Amazing drawing gives the rug a 17th century, Safavid feel  

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Unique Pictorial Prayer Rug
Unique Pictorial Prayer Rug

Unique Pictorial Prayer Rug

Sold

W 19 in L 32 in

Unique Pictorial Prayer Rug

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Age: 1950 Material: Wool Wear Guide: 1 Wear Notes: Vintage and antique rugs are by nature, pre-loved and may show evidence of their past. There are varying degrees of wear ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Past Century Persian Hands of Fatima Beluch Prayer Rug
Past Century Persian Hands of Fatima Beluch Prayer Rug

Past Century Persian Hands of Fatima Beluch Prayer Rug

Located in Edinburgh, GB

This is a`unique Persian Beluch prayer rug featuring a Classic 'head and shoulder' mihrab design and 'hands of Fatima' all in wool with camel ground. It is about 50-60 years old an...

Category

Vintage 1970s Persian Persian Rugs

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Iranian Prayer Rug For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal Iranian prayer rug for your home. Each Iranian prayer rug for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, wool and silk. Your living room may not be complete without an Iranian prayer rug — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. An Iranian prayer rug, designed in the Rococo style, is generally a popular piece of furniture.

How Much is an Iranian Prayer Rug?

Prices for an Iranian prayer rug start at $600 and top out at $86,000 with the average selling for $3,600.

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.