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Persian Rugs

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Persian Rugs For Sale
Handknotted Cream Wool and Silk Persian Carpet with Art Deco Design, 9' x 12'
Located in New York, NY
This handknotted cream wool and silk Persian carpet with an Art Deco-inspired design, measuring 9' x 12', blends timeless craftsmanship with sophisticated texture and tone. Persian a...
Category

2010s Persian Art Deco Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Silk

Antique Persian Rug in Brown with Colorful Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand-knotted in wool circa 1920-1930, this 4x5 antique Persian rug is a remarkable signature piece from our Antique collection. It features rich tribal sensibilities with a geometric...
Category

1920s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Handwoven Persian Area Rug Malayer Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique hand-woven Persian area rug made from fine wool and all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for people and pets. It features traditional Malayer weaving depicting elaborate ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Fine Vintage Tribal Persian Gabbeh Rug 6'3'' x 9'3''
Located in New York, NY
Fine Vintage Tribal Persian Gabbeh Rug 6'3'' x 9'3''. An attractive Qashghai rustic high pile piece with a broad, well-abrashed medium blue border decorated primarily with little ani...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Isfahan Silk Rug 5' 5" x 8' 0"
Located in New York, NY
Antique Isfahan silk rug, size: 5' 5'' x 8' 0''.
Category

1940s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Antique French Decorative Oriental Aubusson Rug in Room Size
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Aubusson Rug, Room size, circa 1910 A one-of-a-kind antique French Aubusson Carpet, hand-knotted with soft wool pile. Featuring a central medallion on the soft red pr...
Category

1910s French Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Overdye Rug with Floral Details on a Pink Field
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique handmade Persian area rug from high quality sheep’s wool and colored with eco-friendly vegetable dyes that are proven safe for humans and pets alike. It’s a Classic Overdye d...
Category

20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, Enigmatic Sophistication Meets Abstract Art
By Gerhard Richter, Jackson Pollock
Located in Dallas, TX
60778 Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, 09'08 x 12'03. Unleash your inner art connoisseur with this striking vintage Turkish overdyed wool rug. Hand-k...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Expressionist Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Area Rug Azerbaijan Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Persian area rug handwoven from the finest sheep’s wool. It’s colored with all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for humans and pets. It’s a traditional Azerbaijan design ...
Category

20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1960s Vintage Persian Heriz Handmade Medallion Wool Rug In Peach
Located in Norwalk, CT
The hand-knotted wool and captivating medallion design Heriz rug exude elegance. The intricate floral pattern, beautifully constructed with detailed geometric shapes and vibrant blue...
Category

1960s Persian Heriz Serapi Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
61110 Vintage Persian Tabriz Rug, 09'08 x 12'11. Emanating a timeless floral design, incredible detail and texture, this hand knotted wool vintage Persian Tabriz rug is a captivatin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Mishan Rug with All-Over Diamond Design in Gray, Brown and Cream
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Persian Mishan rug with all-over diamond design in gray and brown, cream. Keivan Woven Arts rug H-1211-36, country of origin / type: Iran / Mishan, circa 1950 This incredi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Oversized 1940s Persian Tabriz 15x20 Grey & Tan Handmade Area Rug
Located in Houston, TX
Ashly Fine Rugs presents a 1900s Antique Persian Tabriz. Tabriz is a northern city in modern-day Iran and has forever been famous for the fineness of its handmade rugs. This piece is...
Category

1940s Persian Tabriz Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, Romantic Industrial Meets French Provincial
Located in Dallas, TX
60724 Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, 09'08 x 12'08. Romantic Industrial meets French Provincial in this hand knotted wool vintage Turkish Overdyed rug. The faded floral design and mu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Industrial Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Colorful Orley Shabahang "Kaleidoscope" Modern Wool Persian Rug, 10' x 14'
Located in New York, NY
This colorful Orley Shabahang Signature wool Persian area rug, "Kaleidoscope" from our Galaxy collection, measures 10' x 14'. Created using handspun wool, the dazzlingly vibrant whil...
Category

2010s Persian Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Bijar Kilim Rug, Tribal Enchantment Meets Boho Gypset Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77947 Vintage Persian Bijar Kilim Rug, 05'06 x 07'10. Embark on a transcendent journey where tribal enchantment converges with the free-spirited allure of boho gypset style, encapsulated within the intricate threads of our handwoven wool vintage Persian Bijar kilim rug. Step onto this mesmerizing carpet ride, and let the magic within its fibers transport you to a world of enigmatic elegance that defies the boundaries of time. The abrashed field of this extraordinary rug unveils a symphony of symbolism, each motif a silent storyteller from ancient traditions. Scorpion and dragon motifs weave tales of protection, while the revered Elibelinde symbolizes the sacred essence of motherhood and fertility. Ram's horn and wolf's mouth motifs, entwined with cengel hooks, fetter, and amulets, form a mystical alliance against unseen forces. Robust striations of red and burnt orange in the backdrop create a captivating dance with these tribal symbols, outlining each motif to add depth and an arresting visual appeal. A distinctive feature emerges in the form of a repeating fetter motif border against a navy blue backdrop, a guardian of order in this kaleidoscopic world. As our gaze traverses the rug's expanse, we discover five large-scale comb motifs gracing the width's ends, contributing to the visual feast of this Persian flatweave rug...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Kilim Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Handmade Kerman Persian Wool Rug with Beige Field
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful antique Kerman hand-knotted wool rug with a beige field. This Persian rug has gray accents in a gorgeous medallion floral pattern. This rug measures 9'8" x 13'2".
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kirman Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Twin Vintage Persian Kilim Runner Rugs with Geometric Patterns
Located in Long Island City, NY
These flatweaves are a pair of twin 3x17 vintage Persian Kilim runner rugs, handwoven in wool circa 1950-1960. These tribal runners are nearly identical in size and design, with geom...
Category

1950s Persian Tribal Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modern Flat-Weave Kilim Rug in Ivory with Blue & Orange Stripes
Located in Dallas, TX
A new production Persian rug handwoven from the finest sheep’s wool and colored with all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for humans and pets. It’s a traditional Kilim flat-weave...
Category

20th Century Turkish Oushak Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Hand-Woven Persian Rug Malayer Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Mid-20th century hand-woven Persian area rug made from fine wool and all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for people and pets. It features traditional Malayer weaving depicting e...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Heriz Rug with Modern Downton Abbey Style
Located in Dallas, TX
75334 Vintage Persian Heriz Rug with Modern Downton Abbey Style 07'05 x 10'04. With timeless design and masculine appeal, this hand knotted wool v...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Tabriz Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Tabriz carpet with a pictorial design from the second quarter of the 20th century.
Category

1930s Persian Tabriz Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique 1940s Persian Tabriz 10x13 Orange & Grey Handmade Area Rug
Located in Houston, TX
Ashly Fine Rugs presents a 1940s Antique Persian Tabriz 10x13 Wool Handmade Rug. Tabriz is a northern city in modern-day Iran and has forever been famous ...
Category

1940s Persian Tabriz Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Silk Kashan Prayer Rug with Empire Regency Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77269 Antique Persian Silk Kashan Prayer Rug, 04'04 x 06'08. Behold, a vision of paradise! Feast your eyes upon this exquisite hand knotted antique P...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rococo Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Antique Persian Square Rug Jajim Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Persian square rug handwoven from the finest sheep’s wool. It’s colored with all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for humans and pets. It’s a traditional Jajm design hand...
Category

20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Fine Farahan Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful little 19th century rug with nice decorative design and natural colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation.
Category

Late 19th Century Central Asian Sarouk Farahan Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Handmade Persian Shiraz Pictorial Lion Throw Rug in Yellow and Blue
Located in New York, NY
A modern Persian Shiraz small throw rug handmade during the 21st century with a pictorial design of a male lion in yellow over a blue background. Measures: 3' 4" x 4' 8".
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Navy Geometric Persian Heriz Long & Narrow Runner Rug 2.9 x 18.4 ft.
Located in New York, NY
Heriz rugs are one of the most famous rugs from Iran, because of their very unique and distinguishable style. Heriz is a city located in northwestern Iran, near the city of Tabriz, which is a major rug-weaving center in Iran. Most often, Heriz rugs have oversized geometric medallions, that are crisply delineated against a rich red, rust or dark blue field. The pattern is almost always geometric, although some Heriz rugs have an all-over layout often together with geometric floral motives and less frequently curvilinear floral motives. Since the Heriz region is not too far from the Caucasus, many Heriz carpets have similar colors and drawings to Caucasian rugs. The most common colors are brownish red, light and dark pink, light and dark blue, greens, yellows and ivory. Blue and ivory are normally added to increase contrast. This is a lovely rare narrow antique brown and navy Heriz...
Category

1920s Persian Heriz Serapi Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Early 20th Century Pictorial Khotan Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century Central Asian pictorial Khotan rug with six large-scale Chinese-style vases potted with auspicious peony blossoms, a...
Category

1940s Central Asian Khotan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Area Rug Bakhtiar Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique area rug handwoven from the finest sheep’s wool. It’s colored with all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for humans and pets. It’s a tradit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Shiraz Kilim Rug, Luxury Lodge Meets Sunny Southwest Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77994 Vintage Persian Shiraz Kilim rug with Bohemian Style 03'11 x 05'08. Full of tiny details and a bold expressive tribal design combined with vibrant colors and bohemian style, th...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Kilim Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1940s Vintage Hand Knotted Persian Kashan Full Pile All-Over D Rug
Located in Carlstadt, NJ
This is a genuine hand knotted oriental rug. It is not hand tufted or machine made rug. Our entire inventory is made of either hand knotted or handwoven rugs. Bring life to your hom...
Category

1940s Persian Kashan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Indian Agra Rug, Small Runner Size, Symmetrical Bands of Color, Flowers
Located in New York, NY
An antique Indian Agra rug 4'0" H x 2'0" W, in small rug (kaleghi), circa 1900. This fine floral wool rug features a repeating small-scale floral design throughout, iterated both in ...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, Luxe Utilitarian Appeal Meets Modern Industrial
Located in Dallas, TX
60607 Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, 09’05 x 12’05. ​In the enthralling union of Modern Industrial and luxe utilitarian allure, behold this hand-knotted wool vintage Turkish overdyed...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Industrial Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Ziegler Sultanabad Rug. 12 ft 9 in x 16 ft 7 in
Located in New York, NY
Antique Ivory Ziegler & Co. Sultanabad, From Persian, Circa: Late 19th Century. Size: 12 ft 9 in x 16 ft 7 in (3.89 m x 5.05 m).
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Sultanabad Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Beautifully Designed Vintage Shiraz Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
A hand-knotted vintage Shiraz rug with a geometric pattern on a red field. Accents of blue, brown and ivory throughout the piece. The rug measures 5...
Category

1920s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Oversized Antique Persian Sarouk Rug Hotel Lobby Size Carpet
Located in Dallas, TX
74845 Antique Persian Sarouk Rug Hospitality Size Carpet, 14'00 x 30'08. This hand-knotted wool highly antique Persian Sarouk palace size rug with Art Nouveau style features an intri...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Sarouk Farahan Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Overdye Persian Contemporary Patchwork Rug in Various Colors & Patterns
Located in Dallas, TX
Contemporary handmade Persian area rug from high-quality sheep’s wool and colored with eco-friendly vegetable dyes that are proven safe for humans and pets alike. It’s a unique piece...
Category

Early 2000s Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Sarouk Oriental Rug, in Small size, with Intricate Floral Design
Located in New York, NY
Antique Persian Sarouk Oriental Rug, circa 1910, Small size An antique Persian Sarouk oriental rug, size 4'8" x 3'5", circa 1910. This lovely hand-knotted wool rug features an intri...
Category

1910s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Kalach Scandinavian and Southwest Style Multicolor Flatweave Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Our Kalach flatweave rugs resemble the rare and collectible antique Khalaj kilims by a Turkic group based south of Isfahan that were produced in the 19th century and earlier. Due to ...
Category

2010s Persian Scandinavian Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Heriz Carpet Handmade Wool Oriental Rug, Rusty/Red Field, Navy
Located in Port Washington, NY
This magnificent Heriz carpet, woven in the 1920s in Northwest Persia, showcases a striking blend of vibrant colors and traditional geometric design, hallmarks of the Heriz weaving t...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Manchester Kashan Rug, Tree Of Life
Located in Evanston, IL
Ask for dealer shipping. A Kashan rug made in Persia in the city of Kashan in Isfahan Province North Central Iran. There was production of Persian carpet at Royal workshops in the 17...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kashan Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Square Rug Jajim Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Persian square rug handwoven from the finest sheep’s wool. It’s colored with all-natural vegetable dyes that are safe for humans and pets. It’s a traditional Jajm design handwoven by expert artisans. It’s a lovely square rug that can be incorporated with virtually any home interior design. It has a dimension of 7'1" x 7'7" which works well for living rooms, hallways and bedrooms. Jajim is similar to Kilim as a flat-woven rug but with lesser number of knots used. It’s design is almost always in horizontal or vertical lines which points to its humble origins in ancient Persia...
Category

20th Century Persian Other Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Wonderful Fine Bijar Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Exquisite fine rug featuring a stunning floral design and a captivating central medallion. This meticulously hand-knotted masterpiece boasts beautiful colors, including shades of blu...
Category

Late 20th Century Asian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Pink Persian Hamadan Rug, Boho Chic Meets Tribal Enchantment
Located in Dallas, TX
53944 Vintage Pink Persian Hamadan Rug, 05'07 x 07'06. Persian Nahavand Hamadan rugs, originating from Iran's Nahavand area within the broader Hamadan region, meld the weaving tradit...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Heriz Carpet
Located in Closter, NJ
Heriz is a town in northwest Persia (Iran) that has been producing carpets since the 19th century. It is located on Mt. Sabalan, a major source of copper, whose summit is 15,784 feet...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Late 19th Century Antique Karabagh Runner
Located in New York, NY
The bottle green ground displays colorful medallions in red, mustard, blue, coral and pale green. This medium coarse southern Caucasian runner has a central ivory star and diagonal b...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Tribal Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Persian Serapi Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A remarkable late 19th century Persian Serapi rug with the most wonderful and mesmerizing medallion with stylized scrolling vines and flowers, surrounded by the most beautiful wide b...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Vintage Baluch Afghan Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice little Turkmen Baluch rug with geometrical design and beautiful colors, entirely and finely hand knotted with wool velvet on wool foundation. ✨✨✨ "Experience the epitome of lux...
Category

Mid-20th Century Afghan Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand-Knotted Saraband Rug – Delicate Persian Boteh Design
Located in New York, NY
This antique Saraband rug features a refined allover boteh pattern, meticulously woven in a soft, neutral palette of ivory, beige, and muted taupe. The intricate repeating boteh moti...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hand-Knotted Persian Sarouk Large Room Size Wool Rug, Circa 1930s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Persian Sarouk large room size rug Circa 1930s Features beautiful traditional floral sprays and bouquets, with predominant colors in red, blue, and ivory. Measu...
Category

1930s Sarouk Farahan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Kilim with Beige and Brown Stripes by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 5x9 Kilim is believed to be a tribal rug of the 1950s. Handwoven in wool, its design reflects a tribal panel weave, in which several pieces are woven into one Kilim. ...
Category

1950s Persian Tribal Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, Abstract Expressionism Meets Modern Industrial
By William Baziotes, Gerhard Richter
Located in Dallas, TX
60626 Vintage Turkish Overdyed Rug, 06'04 x 10'00. Step into the shadowy embrace of design enchantment as Industrial Chic unveils its enigmatic moves, entwining with Abstract Express...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Industrial Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1960's Colorful Persian Gabbeh Carpet with Modern Style
By Theo van Doesburg, Karl Benjamin
Located in Dallas, TX
61165 Vintage Persian Checkered Gabbeh Rug, 06'05 x 08'05. A mesmerizing fusion of tradition and modern artistry, this hand-knotted wool vintage Persian Gabbeh rug is a masterful composition of color, texture, and symbolism. Its captivating checkerboard design is more than a visual delight—it is a reflection of centuries-old nomadic weaving traditions, where each square holds meaning, and every hue tells a story. The richly abrashed field, infused with warm and cool tones, forms a rhythmic mosaic of alternating blocks, evoking the timeless beauty of handcrafted textiles passed down through generations. Deeply rooted in Persian tribal culture, the checkerboard pattern is a stylized representation of the barley motif, a powerful symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity. This design, often seen in Gabbeh rugs, reflects the connection between the weaver and nature, as well as the belief in the cyclical renewal of life. Framed by a complementary border adorned with smaller geometric forms, the Gabbeh rug achieves a harmonious balance, reinforcing the sense of structure within its free-spirited composition. Echoing the bold experimentation of Cubism and the avant-garde principles of the Bauhaus movement, this Persian Gabbeh rug feels remarkably modern despite its traditional roots. The graphic color-blocking and play of contrasting shades draw inspiration from pioneering artists such as Karl Benjamin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Mid-Century Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Lavar Kerman Rug 9’0" x 13’3”
Located in New York, NY
A trade term applied to better quality pre-WWI Kermans. ‘Laver’ is corruption of ‘Ravar’, a town near Kerman city, reputed to have woven some of the finest and best Revival Period Ke...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Hamadan Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
76126 vintage Persian Hamadan rug, 05'04 X 07'09. With its timeless style, incredible detail and texture, this hand knotted wool vintage Pers...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Art Deco Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Tabriz Square Wool Rug In Blue With Allover Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This antique Persian Tabriz rug, dating back to the 1880s, features a striking dark blue field embellished with a captivating all-over floral pattern. The design is further enhanced ...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Sarouk Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century Persian Sarouk runner is a captivating example of traditional craftsmanship and timeless design. Featuring a classic Sarouk pattern, its field is adorned with...
Category

1930s Persian Sarouk Farahan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique and Vintage Persian Rugs for Sale on 1stDibs: Persian Tribal Rugs, Handmade Silk Persian Rugs and More

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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