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Sarab Runner

Antique Sarab Runner 2'11'' x 14'11''
Antique Sarab Runner 2'11'' x 14'11''

Antique Sarab Runner 2'11'' x 14'11''

Located in New York, NY

Antique Sarab Runner 2'11'' x 14'11''.

Category

Antique 1890s More Carpets

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Sarab Runner 3.18m X 1.10m
Antique Sarab Runner 3.18m X 1.10m

Antique Sarab Runner 3.18m X 1.10m

$2,400

W 43.31 in L 125.2 in

Antique Sarab Runner 3.18m X 1.10m

Located in St. Albans, GB

A beautiful antique Sarab runner, handwoven circa 1910 with a 3 medallion geometrical design on a

Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Antique Sarab Runner
19th Century Antique Sarab Runner

19th Century Antique Sarab Runner

$5,200

W 45.28 in L 212.6 in

19th Century Antique Sarab Runner

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

Sarab runners are precious artifacts that reflect the distinctive weaving traditions of the Sarab

Category

Antique 19th Century Turkish Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Camel Field Sarab Runner Rug With Floral Medallions – 16'9" X 3'8"
Antique Camel Field Sarab Runner Rug With Floral Medallions – 16'9" X 3'8"

Antique Camel Field Sarab Runner Rug With Floral Medallions – 16'9" X 3'8"

Located in Los Angeles, US

This elegant antique Sarab runner rug features a rare camel field, beautifully contrasted by a

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Kilim Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Sarab Runner - 19th Century Runner, Handmade Rug, Wool Runner
Antique Sarab Runner - 19th Century Runner, Handmade Rug, Wool Runner

Antique Sarab Runner - 19th Century Runner, Handmade Rug, Wool Runner

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

runner. Symmetrical, geometric and motif patterns reflect the traditional Sarab style. Numerous edges

Category

Antique 19th Century Azerbaijani Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Sarab Antique Runner - 3'2" x 10'3"
Sarab Antique Runner - 3'2" x 10'3"

Sarab Antique Runner - 3'2" x 10'3"

Located in New York, NY

Immerse yourself in the understated yet captivating beauty of our Sarab runner, a true testament to

Category

Vintage 1940s Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

iran Brown Tribal Runner Mid-20th Century 4x11 ft
iran Brown Tribal Runner Mid-20th Century 4x11 ft

iran Brown Tribal Runner Mid-20th Century 4x11 ft

Located in Dallas, TX

This vintage Persian (Sarab) runner rug from iran dates to 1960-1980 and falls within the Vintage

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique White Ground Sarab Garden Design Runner Rug
Antique White Ground Sarab Garden Design Runner Rug

Antique White Ground Sarab Garden Design Runner Rug

Located in Milan, IT

from Sarab, located in the heartland of Azerbaijan, we see four hexagonal main islands centred around a

Category

Antique 1880s Azerbaijani Serapi Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Runner Rug, Yellow Gold Handmade Sarab Carpet Stair Runner Area Rug
Antique Runner Rug, Yellow Gold Handmade Sarab Carpet Stair Runner Area Rug

Antique Runner Rug, Yellow Gold Handmade Sarab Carpet Stair Runner Area Rug

Located in Wembley, GB

This beautiful Runner Rug has been handwoven to perfection with intricate detail. The border is a

Category

Vintage 1930s Caucasian Kazak Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Organic Material

Vintage Tribal Moroccan Runner
Vintage Tribal Moroccan Runner

Vintage Tribal Moroccan Runner

$3,300

W 39 in L 150 in

Vintage Tribal Moroccan Runner

Located in New York, NY

With faint echoes of Persian Sarabs, this vintage tribal Moroccan runner features a light camel-tan

Category

Vintage 1960s Moroccan Bohemian Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool

Recent Sales

Antique Sarab Runner
Antique Sarab Runner

Antique Sarab Runner

Unavailable

W 37 in L 189 in

Antique Sarab Runner

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Highly decorative antique Sarab runner. woven ends rewoven.

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Sarab Runner, circa 1930
Vintage Sarab Runner, circa 1930

Vintage Sarab Runner, circa 1930

Unavailable

W 42 in L 167 in

Vintage Sarab Runner, circa 1930

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Sarab runner, circa 1930. Measures: 3' 6" x 13' 11" Hand-knotted wool pile, cotton

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early Twentieth Century Persian Sarab Runner
Early Twentieth Century Persian Sarab Runner

Early Twentieth Century Persian Sarab Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

This is a beautiful and visual long Sarab runner with a pleasing warm color palette.

Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Persian Rugs

Vintage Persian Sarab Runner, circa 1930
Vintage Persian Sarab Runner, circa 1930

Vintage Persian Sarab Runner, circa 1930

Unavailable

W 36 in L 171 in

Vintage Persian Sarab Runner, circa 1930

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Persian Sarab runner, circa 1930. Measures: 3' x 14' 3" Hand-knotted wool pile, cotton

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Sarab Runner with Goat Design
Persian Sarab Runner with Goat Design

Persian Sarab Runner with Goat Design

Unavailable

W 29 in L 153 in

Persian Sarab Runner with Goat Design

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Sarab runner with goat design along border circa 1980 Measures: 2' 5" x 12' 9" Hand

Category

Vintage 1980s Turkish Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Runner with Abrash
Vintage Karajeh Sarab Runner with Abrash

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Runner with Abrash

Unavailable

W 42 in L 154 in

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Runner with Abrash

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Karajeh Sarab runner with abrash circa 1940 Measures: 3' 6" x 12' 10" Hand-knotted

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Black Karajeh Sarab Runner with Bird Motif
Vintage Black Karajeh Sarab Runner with Bird Motif

Vintage Black Karajeh Sarab Runner with Bird Motif

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage black karajeh sarab runner with bird motif circa 1940 Measures: 3' 4" x 13' 5

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Sarab Runner with Dog Design, circa 1940
Persian Sarab Runner with Dog Design, circa 1940

Persian Sarab Runner with Dog Design, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Sarab runner with dog design. circa 1940 Measures: 3' 3" x 11' 6" Hand-knotted wool pile

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand-Knotted Wool Ivory, Red Blue Persian Sarab Runner Rug
Antique Hand-Knotted Wool Ivory, Red Blue Persian Sarab Runner Rug

Antique Hand-Knotted Wool Ivory, Red Blue Persian Sarab Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is an antique hand-knotted rug from the city of Sarab in northwest Iran (Persian). It is made

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Vintage Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Karajeh Sarab runner, circa 1940 Measures: 5' 2" x 13' 2" Hand-knotted abrash wool

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1940s Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner
1940s Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

1940s Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

Unavailable

W 44 in L 112 in

1940s Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

Located in Northridge, CA

1940s Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner circa 1940 Measures: 3' 8" x 9' 4" Hand-knotted wool pile

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner
Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

Unavailable

W 44 in L 175 in

Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

Located in Northridge, CA

Antique Karajeh Sarab gallery runner circa 1940 Measures: 3' 8" x 14' 7" Hand-knotted wool

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1940s Persian Sarab Gallery Runner
1940s Persian Sarab Gallery Runner

1940s Persian Sarab Gallery Runner

Unavailable

W 43 in L 114 in

1940s Persian Sarab Gallery Runner

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Sarab gallery runner circa 1940 Measures: 3' 7" x 9' 6" Hand-knotted wool pile, cotton

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, Dated 1939
Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, Dated 1939

Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, Dated 1939

Unavailable

W 45 in L 115 in

Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, Dated 1939

Located in Northridge, CA

Antique Sarab Gallery runner, Dated 1939. Measures: 3' 9" x 9' 7". Hand-knotted wool pile

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1940s Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner
1940s Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

1940s Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery runner circa 1940 Measures: 3' 10" x 12' 6" Hand-knotted wool

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Unavailable

W 46 in L 118 in

Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Sarab Gallery runner circa 1940 Measures: 3' 10" x 9' 10" Hand-knotted wool pile, cotton

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Unavailable

W 44 in L 150 in

Antique Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Antique Sarab gallery runner, circa 1940. Measures: 3' 8" x 12' 6". Hand-knotted, abrash

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1970
Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1970

Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1970

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Persian Sarab gallery runner circa 1970 Measures: 3'6" x 9'4" Hand-knotted wool pile

Category

Late 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1930
Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1930

Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1930

Located in Northridge, CA

Antique Karajeh Sarab Gallery runner, circa 1930. Measures: 5' 7" x 9' 9". Hand-knotted

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash
Vintage Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash

Vintage Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Karajeh Sarab gallery runner with abrash circa 1940 Measures: 3' 7" x 13' 10" Hand

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Nomadic Sarab Serapi Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Nomadic Sarab Serapi Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Nomadic Sarab Serapi Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Nomadic Sarab Serapi Gallery runner circa 1940 Measures: 5' 2" x 12' 6" Hand-knotted

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Sarab Gallery Runner with Rooster Design, circa 1940
Sarab Gallery Runner with Rooster Design, circa 1940

Sarab Gallery Runner with Rooster Design, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Sarab Gallery runner with bird and rooster design circa 1940 Measures: 4' 10' x 9' 11" Hand

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1940
Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1940

Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Persian Karajeh Sarab Gallery Runner with Abrash circa 1940 Measures: 3' 2" x 12' 4" Hand

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery Runner with Donkey Motif, circa 1940
Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery Runner with Donkey Motif, circa 1940

Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery Runner with Donkey Motif, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Persian Sarab Gallery runner with donkey motif circa 1940 Measures: 3' 5" x 9' 11

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Sarab Heriz Gallery Runner with Bird Motif, circa 1940
Vintage Persian Sarab Heriz Gallery Runner with Bird Motif, circa 1940

Vintage Persian Sarab Heriz Gallery Runner with Bird Motif, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Vintage Persian Sarab Heriz runner with bird motif circa 1940 Measures: 3' 4" x 14' 9" Hand

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Karajeh Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Antique Karajeh Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Antique Karajeh Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Antique Karajeh Sarab gallery runner, circa 1940. Measures: 5' 1" x 12' Hand-knotted wool

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Natural Colored Northwest Persian Serab Runner crafted with Camel Hair
Natural Colored Northwest Persian Serab Runner crafted with Camel Hair

Natural Colored Northwest Persian Serab Runner crafted with Camel Hair

Located in Chicago, IL

This is an amazing Persian Serab Runner, made in the town of Sarab in Northwest Iran. This runner

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Runner
Antique Sarab Runner

Antique Sarab Runner

Sold

W 37.01 in L 168.51 in

Antique Sarab Runner

Located in St. Albans, GB

A beautiful antique Sarab runner, handwoven circa 1910. The design features 8 geometrical

Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Runner with Rich Tones
Antique Sarab Runner with Rich Tones

Antique Sarab Runner with Rich Tones

Located in New York, NY

This unusual red ground NW Persian Sarab runner displays two long cartouche motives with ivory

Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Runner 2.22m x 0.89m
Antique Sarab Runner 2.22m x 0.89m

Antique Sarab Runner 2.22m x 0.89m

Sold

W 31.11 in L 87.41 in

Antique Sarab Runner 2.22m x 0.89m

Located in St. Albans, GB

A fabulous little Sarab runner, handwoven circa 1910 with a traditional geometrical design on an

Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Runner, Light Tones, circa 1930s
Antique Sarab Runner, Light Tones, circa 1930s

Antique Sarab Runner, Light Tones, circa 1930s

Located in New York, NY

This lightly toned recent NW Persian Sarab runner displays alternating hexagons and cartouches

Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Sarab Runner

Persian Sarab Runner

Sold

W 34 in L 206 in

Persian Sarab Runner

Located in New York, NY

. Antique Sarab rugs are largely runners that are three feet wide and anywhere from ten to twenty feet long

Category

Antique 19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Antique Persian Sarab Runner 29756
Antique Persian Sarab Runner 29756

Antique Persian Sarab Runner 29756

By Mehraban Rugs

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

Rug Number 29756 Size 3' 3" X 14' 1" Design Sarab Collection Antique/Vintage Material Wool Texture

Category

Vintage 1910s Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Camel Hair Sarab Runner circa 1929
Antique Camel Hair Sarab Runner circa 1929

Antique Camel Hair Sarab Runner circa 1929

Located in Morton Grove, IL

An absolutely charming and cute little runner hand woven in north-west Iran in the Heriz/ Serapi

Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Hand Knotted Sarab Runner with Aqua Octagon Medallions
Hand Knotted Sarab Runner with Aqua Octagon Medallions

Hand Knotted Sarab Runner with Aqua Octagon Medallions

Located in New York, NY

From the mountain village of Sarab in northwest Iran, this long runner arranges a column of twelve

Category

Vintage 1950s Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Sarab Runner Rug with Navy and Pink Medallions
Antique Persian Sarab Runner Rug with Navy and Pink Medallions

Antique Persian Sarab Runner Rug with Navy and Pink Medallions

Located in Dallas, TX

Antique Persian runner rug handwoven from the finest sheep’s wool and colored with all-natural

Category

20th Century Persian Islamic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Serab Runner

Persian Serab Runner

Sold

W 38 in L 117 in

Persian Serab Runner

Located in New York, NY

. Antique Sarab rugs are largely runners that are three feet wide and anywhere from ten to twenty feet long

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Nice Distressed Antique Sarab Runner
Nice Distressed Antique Sarab Runner

Nice Distressed Antique Sarab Runner

Sold

W 31.5 in L 155.52 in

Nice Distressed Antique Sarab Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Beautiful late 19th century Sarab runner with decorative and stylized design and beautiful natural

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Asian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Runner 4.29m x 0.90m
Antique Sarab Runner 4.29m x 0.90m

Antique Sarab Runner 4.29m x 0.90m

Sold

W 35.44 in L 168.9 in

Antique Sarab Runner 4.29m x 0.90m

Located in St. Albans, GB

A beautiful vintage Sarab runner, handwoven circa 1920. The design features 3 geometrical

Category

Vintage 1920s Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern Tribal Style
Antique Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern Tribal Style

Antique Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern Tribal Style

Located in Dallas, TX

71024 Antique Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern Tribal Style. Displaying primitive charm

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco Style
Vintage Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco Style

Vintage Persian Sarab Runner with Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco Style

Located in Dallas, TX

74966, vintage Persian Sarab runner with Art Deco style. With its bold geometric pattern and

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Art Deco Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Sarab Runner, circa 1900s
Antique Sarab Runner, circa 1900s

Antique Sarab Runner, circa 1900s

Located in New York, NY

The camel tone field of this Northwest Persian village runner displays complex abstract blue

Category

Antique Early 1900s Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Long Persian Camel Hair Sarab Hallway Runner
Long Persian Camel Hair Sarab Hallway Runner

Long Persian Camel Hair Sarab Hallway Runner

Located in Rio Vista, CA

Long vintage Persian camel hair Sarab hallway runner over 20 feet in length. Features a traditional

Category

20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Fube Antique Tribal Persian Sarab Narrow Runner, Red Field, circa 1930s
Fube Antique Tribal Persian Sarab Narrow Runner, Red Field, circa 1930s

Fube Antique Tribal Persian Sarab Narrow Runner, Red Field, circa 1930s

Located in New York, NY

Five four-hooked medallions, with internal comb fringes, decorate the red field of this narrow, rustic kenare. Light straw, pale blue and ecru details. Pale straw border with a lozen...

Category

Vintage 1930s Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Sarab Runner Rug
Antique Persian Sarab Runner Rug

Antique Persian Sarab Runner Rug

Located in Atlanta, GA

This is a beautiful hand-knotted antique Persian Sarab rug with fresh colors on an ivory color

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Sarab Runner, North West, Persia
19th Century Sarab Runner, North West, Persia

19th Century Sarab Runner, North West, Persia

Located in London, GB

A rare find. This is a beautiful old camel ground runner in near mint condition. Full pile

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Sarab Antique Rug

Sarab Antique Rug

Sold

W 41 in L 168 in

Sarab Antique Rug

Located in West Hollywood, CA

-catching Sarab Antique Runner. A layered, stitched border small floral emblems encloses a column of three

Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940
Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Sarab Gallery Runner, circa 1940

Located in Northridge, CA

Sarab gallery runner Vintage: circa 1940 Measures: 4' x 10' 6" Hand-knotted wool pile

Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

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Sarab Runner For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the sarab runner you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each sarab runner for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric and wool. Your living room may not be complete without a sarab runner — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A sarab runner is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Modern and Art Deco styles are sought with frequency.

How Much is a Sarab Runner?

The average selling price for a sarab runner at 1stDibs is $5,000, while they’re typically $1,861 on the low end and $25,000 for the highest priced.

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.