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Persian Rugs

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Persian Rugs For Sale
Antique Persian Tabriz Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
90036 Antique Red Persian Tabriz Rug Runner, 03'01 x 19'00. Woven with poetic mastery and curated intent, this one-of-a-kind, hand-knotted wool antique Persian Tabriz runner is not m...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century 1880's Antique Persian Bijar Carpet with Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
53868 Late 19th Century Antique Persian Bijar Rug Runner, 01'11 x 25'11. This extraordinary hand-knotted wool antique Persian Bijar rug runner, dating back to the late 19th century, is a rare and remarkable example of Persian craftsmanship. Known for their durability and intricate artistry, Bijar rugs are celebrated as the "Iron Rugs of Persia," and this extra-long Persian carpet runner is no exception. It seamlessly combines traditional elegance with rustic sensibility, showcasing an intricate design that captivates the viewer with its timeless charm and unparalleled craftsmanship. The field is adorned with elongated medallions, each filled with an allover pattern of Herati motifs—a hallmark of Persian artistry. These motifs, composed of a central rosette flanked by curling leaves or fish forms, create a mesmerizing rhythm across the runner. The earthy color palette, featuring shades of rust, navy blue, and ivory, evokes a sense of warmth and rustic refinement, making this piece as visually striking as it is culturally significant. The medallions are beautifully framed by angular detailing, enhancing their presence and creating a harmonious balance across the length of the rug. The artisanal character of this Bijar runner is further emphasized by its exquisite texture and incredible detail. The dense knotting and precise execution of the intricate patterns reflect the exceptional skill of the weavers, whose dedication to their craft has transformed this rug into a piece of woven art. The elongated format, rare for antique Bijar rugs, adds to its allure, making it an ideal choice for stairways, long hallways, or grand corridors, where its beauty can be fully appreciated. Emanating a sense of exotic sophistication, this antique Persian Bijar runner tells a story of tradition, artistry, and timeless elegance. Its rustic yet refined aesthetic captures the essence of an exotic journey, adding worldly charm to any space it graces. As a rare find, this woven wonder is not only a functional piece but also a collector’s treasure, embodying the rich heritage and enduring appeal of Persian weaving traditions. Rendered in variegated shades of brick red, navy blue, baked clay, cerulean, rose, brown, terra cotta, tan, dark pink, coffee and verdigris with other accent colors. Distressed. Desirable Age Wear. Abrash. Hand knotted wool. Made in Iran. Measures: 01'11 x 25'11. Pile Height: 0.25 of an inch. Antique Stair Runner...
Category

Late 19th Century Russian Spanish Colonial Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Persian Sultanabad Carpet with Modern Style
Located in Dallas, TX
79228 Late 19th Century Distressed Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug, 13'11 x 19'02. Woven in the golden twilight of the 19th century, this hand knotted wool distressed antique Persian ...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Sultanabad Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rustic Brown Geometric Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Persian Heriz one of a kind antique runner with rustic vibes Measures: 2'4" x 10'8".
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Isfahan Small Rug Circa 1910 - Wool Ivory Navy Blue Red 71565
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the elegance of Persian Isfahan featuring Small Rug in Circa 1910. Designed with Wool and IvoryNavy BlueRed, this exclusive design is perfect for enhancing your space.
Category

20th Century Asian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Antique Bakshaish Rug on Fabric Textile
Located in New York, NY
Mid-19th Century Persian Bakshaish Rug hand-stitched on a fabric textile. Best to use on wall or as a throw piece Details rug no. r4808 size 3' 8" x 5' 2" (112 x 157 cm
Category

19th Century Unknown Tribal Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Linen

Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Heriz Karadja Small Rug
Located in New York, NY
a small size early 20th century Heriz Karadja Rug Details rug no. j4479 size 3' x 4' 7" (91 x 140 cm)
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Chippendale Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Kolyai Runner Rug Circa 1910 - Wool Blue Pink Yellow 71698
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the elegance of Persian Kolyai featuring Runner Rug in Circa 1910. Designed with Wool and BluePinkYellow, this exclusive design is perfect for enhancing your space.
Category

20th Century Asian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Very Fine Persian Silk Qum Rug Garden Design
Located in Gainesville, VA
A stunning, very fine Persian Silk Qum rug, originating from Iran in the late 20th century. Crafted from 100% silk, this exquisite piece is in excellent condition, considering its ri...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful early 20th century Chinese Art Deco rug with a fuchsia background, champagne colored border, and overlaid with myriad auspicious flowers including peonies, chrysanthemums...
Category

1920s Chinese Art Deco Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Senneh Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Senneh accent rug. The decisively abrashed slate field of this Kurdish town scatter from western Persia displays an allover large scale pattern of three columns of...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Distressed Vintage Persian Malayer Gallery Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
60968 Distressed Vintage Persian Malayer Gallery Rug 05'00 x 11'04. With its lovingly time-worn composition and rugged beauty, this hand-knotted wool distressed vintage Persian Malay...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Malayer Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Worn Green Persian Scatter Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
A small size early 20th-century Persian worn rug Measures: 3'3" x 4'10".
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Malayer Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Baluch Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Baluch carpet from the mid-20th century.
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Silk Qum Hunting Rug with Medieval Style
Located in Dallas, TX
77865 Vintage Persian Silk Qum Hunting rug with Medieval Style 03'04 x 05'00. Drawing inspiration from King Henry VI of England and Medieval style, this ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Medieval Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Bobyrug’s Nice Large Antique Tabriz Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful early 20th century rug with a beautiful design with a central medallion and natural colors with blue, red and yellow, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton found...
Category

Early 20th Century Central Asian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Bakhtiari Rug 4'9'' x 7'9''
Located in New York, NY
This is a well-woven sacatter from the vllagers in the Chahar Mahal district in central Persia. These rugs are often called “Bakhtiari”, although these latter weave mostly bags and n...
Category

1950s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Bakhtiari Rug 4'9'' x 7'9''
Vintage Bakhtiari Rug 4'9'' x 7'9''
$3,960 Sale Price
59% Off
Antique Persian Serapi Rug, 4'11" x 6'3"
Located in Evanston, IL
Exquisite and timeless, this Antique Persian Serapi rug, circa 1900, measures 4'11" x 6'3" and hails from Persia. In impeccable condition, it boasts a captivating central design feat...
Category

Early 1900s Persian Serapi Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Sarouk Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century Persian Sarouk runner is a stunning example of the vibrant, finely woven rugs that emerged from the Arak region of Iran. Known for their luxurious wool, balan...
Category

1930s Persian Sarouk Farahan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Gabbeh Persian Rug, Cream with Gold Lion Pictorial - Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 5x3 Persian Gabbeh rug is the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of iconic tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This vintage ...
Category

1950s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Mahal Border Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
This pillow was made from an antique Persian Mahal rug with red cotton backing. Measures: 18'' x 18''.
Category

Early 20th Century Sultanabad Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

Vintage Gabbeh Persian Runner, Green with Twin Lion Pictorials - Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 2x4 Persian Gabbeh runner rug is the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of iconic tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: This v...
Category

1950s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Authentic Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Late 19th century Persian Tabriz carpet Size: 12'4" × 17'4" (375 × 528 cm) A late 19th century antique Persian Tabriz rug, the light brown field with a pale herati pattern ...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Wool Persian Kermanshah Rug, Circa 1880, Hand-knotted, 8' x 11'
Located in New York, NY
This Persian Kermanshah carpet circa 1880 consists of handspun wool and vegetable dyes. The size is 8'4" x 10'10", and it is in excellent antique condition. Orley Shabahang takes pri...
Category

20th Century Persian Kirman Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

9 x 12 Antique Persian Heriz Red Wool Rug With Medallion Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
Discover the beauty of this antique Persian Heriz wool rug, showcasing a stunning multicolor allover pattern that brings life to a luxurious deep red background. This rug measures 9...
Category

20th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Sarouk Mohajeran Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century Persian Sarouk Mohajeran rug with a traditional mirrored tree-of-life pattern woven in pink, light and dark indigo...
Category

1920s Persian Sarouk Farahan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Authenric Persian Kirman Hand Knotted Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Persian Kirman hand knotted wool rug Size: 13'2" × 24'4" (401 × 741 cm) Antique rugs from the Kerman province are considered by many experts to be to finest of all Persian ...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kirman Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Gabbeh Persian, Beige-Brown and Red with Diamond Patterns - Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 4x6 Persian Gabbeh rug is the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of rare tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: A vivid express...
Category

1950s Persian Tribal Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

14 x 22 Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug in Red Wool Featuring an Allover Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
Introducing a unique, hand-knotted wool rug: this antique oversized Sultanabad piece dates back to the 1870s and exemplifies timeless craftsmanship. Its stunning, rich red field is b...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Sultanabad Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Kashan Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Measures: 6'.7 x 9'.7. Persian Kashan rugs – Kashan, located in the province of Isfahan, Iran, is an oasis village on the western edge of the Great Salt Desert (Dasht-e Kavir). It l...
Category

1960s Persian Kashan Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

1870s Antique Persian Serapi Rug, Hotel Lobby Size Carpet
Located in Dallas, TX
72743 late 19th century antique Persian Serapi Rug with Mid-Century Modern style. With timeless appeal, refined colors, and architectural design elements, this hand knotted wool antique Persian Serapi rug can beautifully blend modern, contemporary, and traditional interiors. It features a large octofoil medallion patterned inside with a cross motif and anchored with large palmette pendants at either end. The abrashed field is covered in an all-over geometric botanical design composed of stylized florals, serrated leaves, palmettes, rectilinear vinery, buds, blooms and rosettes. Angular corner spandrels echo the designs within the field. A Classic turtle vine scroll border with samovar-shaped palmettes flanked with a double inner and outer carnation meander guard band elegantly frame the composition, pulling together colors from throughout into a unified, harmonious design. With its relaxed Federal charm and rustic sensibility, this antique Persian rug emanates so much character and will boost the coziness factor in nearly any space. Perfect for a living room, dining room, drawing room, private library, golf locker room, billiards room, clubhouse, large home office, master retreat, private Chambers, great room, wine cellar, executive suite, conservatory, state room, royal suite, hotel lobby, music room, studio, study, loft, lounge, entertainment parlor, trophy room, large bedroom, or formal sitting room. Well-suited for a variety of interior styles: Federal, American Colonial, Traditional, Mid-Century Modern, English, Tudor, Pacific Northwest, Northwestern, English Cottage, Craftsman, Bungalow, Old World, Neoclassical, Parisian, Modern, Contemporary, Flemish, shabby chic, Artisan, Rustic, Lodge, Cabin, Urban, Cool Britannia, Industrial, and Eclectic. Bespeaking age and history, this lovingly time-worn Persian rug...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Serapi Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Apadana's Modern Sultanabad Square Wool Rug Handmade In Blue With Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This beautifully hand-knotted Sultanabad square wool rug features a serene light blue background adorned with multicolored designs. Enhance your space with a touch of artistry and el...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Sultanabad Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique 1910s Persian Kermanshah Songhor Rug, 4' x 6'
Located in New York, NY
This Persian Kermanshah carpet from the village of Songhor circa 1910 consists of a hand-knotted handspun wool pile and natural vegetable dyes. The medallion design features exceptio...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Gabbeh Persian Runner Rug in Brown with Diamond Medallions - Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 3x9 Persian Gabbeh runner rug is the latest grand entry to Rug & Kilim’s curation of iconic tribal pieces. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960. On the Design: A comp...
Category

1950s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Persian Khoi Small Rug Circa 1940 - Wool Blue Ivory Navy Blue Pink 72940
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the elegance of Persian Khoi featuring Small Rug in Circa 1940. Designed with Wool and BlueIvoryNavy BluePink, this exclusive design is perfect for enhancing your space.
Category

20th Century Asian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Antique Persian Kirman Oriental Handmade Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Persian Kirman oriental handmade wool rug Size: 15'2" × 24'0" (462 × 731 cm) circa: 1920. Kerman rugs (also known as Kirman rugs) are a perfect choice for all seeking truly high-end ...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kirman Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Room Size Persian Nain Rug with Silk Highlights in Navy Blue & Ivory
Located in Barrington, IL
This finely hand knotted Persian Nain rug, crafted in the 3rd quarter of the 1900s, is a true masterpiece of traditional Persian artistry...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Silk

Most Wonderful Antique Serapi Carpet
Located in Evanston, IL
The most wonderful color combination which bring a dramatic look the whole carpet. The design and condition of the rug are impeccable. This remarkable and artistic antique rug, sho...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Serapi Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique 1910s Persian Lavar Rug, Wool, Hand-knotted, 6' x 12'
Located in New York, NY
This Persian Lavar carpet created circa 1910 consists of a pure wool hand-knotted pile with cotton warp and threads and natural vegetable dyes. The work of master weaver Sakhaie, as ...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Khamseh accent rug. Chickens and botehs (paisleys) fill the double stepped lozenge pole medallion and spill onto the graphite and khaki field in a characteristical...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Victor Vasarely Inspired Persian Modernist Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
Optical art Tabriz inspired by the work of Victor Vasarely. This late fourth quarter of the 20th century Tabriz carpet was woven with repurposed wool from antique and vintage rugs.
Category

1990s Persian Mid-Century Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Heriz Square Room Size Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Heriz square room size carpet handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 12' 0" x 12' 7" Persian rugs & carpets: Persia (Iran) is a moderately large cou...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

13'8"x15'10" Antique Persian Sarouk Cinnamon Red All Wool Hand Knotted 1930s 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

1930s Persian Vintage Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

21st Century Turkish Oushak 10X14 Ivory, Slate Blue& Khaki Handmade Area Rug
Located in Houston, TX
Ashly Fine Rugs presents a 21st-century Turkish Oushak 10x14 Handmade Area Rug. Oushak weavings began in a location just south of Istanbul, in a region that was to become the rugs ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Oushak Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Persian Karajeh Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Karajeh throw rug. The sienna brown field is dominated by three characteristic Karaja medallions and is otherwise filled with a scatter of bud, geometric flowers an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Persian Tabriz Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Tabriz throw rug. Two turreted Salor Turkmen guls accented in red and lighter blues, with attendant fractional minor guls, dominate the rust field of this vintage r...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau 19th Century Persian Khorassan Handmade Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Authentic 19th century Persian Khorassan handmade wool rug Size: 13'8" × 19'5" (416 × 591 cm) This tribe-specific traditional Persian Khorassan rug was woven on a larger sized loom c...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Khorassan Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Handmade Antique Persian Kashan Rug 4.3' x 6.8' 1900s - 1D176
Located in Bordeaux, FR
This exquisite antique Persian Kashan rug, hand-knotted circa 1900s, exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of traditional Persian weaving. Featuring a stunning blue palette with...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Bidjar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A wool pile of symmetric knots on a wool foundation. The well-abrashed slate field features an allover, centralized pattern with three ragged, complex palmettes/rosettes along the ce...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Navy Blue Field Antique Persian Fine Sarouk Rug
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th Century navy field Sarouk Ferehan Rug Details rug no. j4270 size 8' 6" x 11' 10" (259 x 361 cm)
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Agra Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Oversized Antique Persian Kirman Handmade Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Oversized antique Persian Kirman handmade wool carpet Size: 14'7" × 26'5" (444 × 805 cm) A finely-knotted late 19th century Karastan rug Kirman, the caram...
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Kirman Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Ivory Wool and Pure Silk Hand Knotted Persian Design Square Oriental Rug 10'x10'
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

2010s Indian Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Silk

Doris Leslie Blau Authentic Persian Kirman Handmade Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Authentic Persian Kirman handmade wool rug. Size: 13'6" × 21'5" (411 × 652 cm) An early 20th century Persian Kirman (Kerman) antique rug, the rust field with a delicately-drawn overa...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kirman Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Antique Persian Kirman Handmade Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Antique Persian Kirman brown, blue handmade wool rug Size: 12'9" × 21'8" (388 × 660 cm) An early 20th century antique Persian Kirman (Kerman) rug, the peach field with dense interlac...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Kirman Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Sarab Rug Runner with Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
73326 Antique Persian Sarab Rug Runner, 03'05 x 11'06. Persian Sarab rugs and carpet runners hail from the northwest reaches of Iran and are renowned for their exceptional artisanshi...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Malayer Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modern Wool Persian Rug, Blue and Cream, Orley Shabahang, 5' x 7'
Located in New York, NY
This 5’ x 7’ Orley Shabahang signature “Rain” carpet showcases a modern design in a hand knotted Persian weave. This carpet, from the Orley Shabahang Rain...
Category

2010s Persian Modern Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Tabriz Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Tabriz accent rug. This antique Tabriz scatter rug is designed in the style of certain Mohtashem Kashans of the later 19th century. The rust cartouche-shaped field...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Tabriz Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Pink Persian Souf Silk Kashan Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
78120 Vintage Pink Persian Souf Silk Kashan Rug, 02'10 x 04'05. A vintage Persian Souf Kashan rug is a luxurious type of Persian carpet from Kashan, Iran, known for its intricate des...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Silk

A Breathtaking Rare 17th Century Large Antique Persian Isfahan Rug 12'3" x 16'
Located in New York, NY
A Breathtaking Rare 17th Century Large Antique Persian Isfahan Rug, Country of Origin / Rug Type: Antique Persian Rugs, Circa Date: 17th Century
Category

17th Century Persian Other Antique Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Persian Kashan Dabir Oriental Carpet, with Medallion & Soft Colors
Located in New York, NY
Antique Persian Kashan Dabir oriental carpet, in room size. An extraordinary antique Persian Kashan Dabir carpet, circa 1910, size 11' 7" x 9' 0". This i...
Category

1910s Persian 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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