Northeast Auctions
Antique 1830s American American Classical Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Paintings
Gesso, Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Antique Early 1900s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Antique 17th Century Maps
Paper
Antique 1870s Persian Persian Rugs
Wool
Antique 1860s Persian Persian Rugs
Wool
People Also Browsed
Antique 17th Century French Panelling
Softwood
Vintage 1960s Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs
Wool
Antique Late 19th Century English George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Bohemian Moroccan and North African Rugs
Wool
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Moroccan Modern Moroccan and North African Rugs
Wool
Antique Early 1900s Persian Persian Rugs
Wool
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 18th Century British George III Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1780s American Hepplewhite Sideboards
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century European Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace Mirrors
Poplar
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Scandinavian Modern Turkish Rugs
Wool
Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects
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21st Century and Contemporary Egyptian Art Nouveau Moroccan and North Af...
Wool
Antique 1850s Indian Early Victorian Sculptures and Carvings
Terracotta
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Pine
Antique Early 1800s American Hepplewhite Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Irish Neoclassical Console Tables
Siena Marble, Statuary Marble
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Sofas
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Benches
Wood
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Antique 19th Century American Native American Objects
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Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1910s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Antique 1820s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1930s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Early 20th Century Iraqi Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Late 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1940s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1910s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs
Wool
Northeast Auctions For Sale on 1stDibs
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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.