Tribal Persian Rugs
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675
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Style: Tribal
Zabihi Collection Rare Antique Persian Serapi Runner
Located in New York, NY
A rare late 19th Century Persian Heriz Serapi Geometric wide size Runner
Size: 4'2” x 16'1''
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Large Scale Persian Antique Bakhtiari Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century Bakhtiari Persian Carpet with a large-scale design and a warm color palette
Details
rug no. j4438
size 12' 5" x 18' 5" (378 x 561 cm)
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Azari Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking early 20th-century Persian Azari rug, this piece is a testament to the rich weaving traditions of Azerbaijan. Its series of diamond medallions, each intricately adorned wi...
Category
Early 1900s Azerbaijani Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Persian Vintage Shiraz Rug
Located in San Diego, CA
This rug is an authentic rug from Iran, Shiraz. The pile and foundation are wool. The base color is a vibrant red field with accents of bright orange, yellow, blue and green througho...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Gray Silk with Textured Wool Hand Knotted Erased Persian XL Rug 13'9" x 18'1"
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 Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Silk
Antique distressed Shiraz rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Late 19th century small distressed Shiraz rug with pretty tribal designs and nice natural colours with orange, brown, yellow and blue, entirely hand knotted with wool on wool foundat...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Tapis Persan Ispahan, Fait Main En Laine Et Soie - 1m80x1m08 - N° 748
Located in Paris, FR
Located a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we are a French family business
specializing in the purchase, sale, expertise, cleaning, restoration and conservation of
tapes...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Extraordinary Early 20th Century Caucasian Karabagh Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An extraordinary early 20th century Caucasian Karabagh rug with an all-over large scale rose pattern woven in white, brown, indigo, gold, and pink with green leaves, and all against ...
Category
Early 1900s Caucasian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Shahsavan Persian Kilimin Red, Brown and Blue Stripes by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 5x11 Persian Kilim is believed to be a Shahsavan tribal rug. Handwoven in wool, it originates circa 1950-1960 and enjoys a play of stripes and geometric patterns in red,...
Category
1950s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Worn Antique Persian Gabbeh Small Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th-century colorful tribal persian gabbeh small rug
rug no. r5908
size 3' 2" x 5' 9" (97 x 175 cm)
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Afghanistan Mamluk Area Rugs Circa 1990 - Wool Gray Ivory Red Design - 92498
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the elegance of Afghanistan Mamluk featuring Area Rugs in Circa 1990. Designed with Wool and GrayIvoryRed, this exclusive design is perfect for enhancing your space.
Category
20th Century Afghan Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Afghanistan Afghan Small Rug - Wool Orange Red Design - 75177
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover the elegance of Afghanistan Afghan featuring Small Rug in Circa 1880. Designed with Wool and OrangeRed, this exclusive design is perfect for enhancing your space.
Category
20th Century Afghan Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible vintage Persian Gabbeh rug with a wonderful abrash crimson field surrounded by a geometric patterned border with alternating white, brown, green, and crimson triangle s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Rare and very Beautif PersianRug, Ghoum Circa 1970 - 2.16x1.38 - No. 1224
Located in Paris, FR
Located a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, we are a French family business
specializing in the purchase, sale, expertise, cleaning, restoration and conservation of
tapes...
Category
1970s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Persian Gabbeh Runner in Red with Animal Pictorials by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 3x7 Gabbeh Persian runner is from the latest entries in Rug & Kilim’s rare tribal curations. Hand-knotted in wool circa 1950-1960.
Furthe...
Category
1950s Turkish Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Persian Nain Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite late 20th-century Persian Rain rug is a masterpiece of traditional craftsmanship. Its design centers on a grand medallion that radiates elegance and draws the eye, set...
Category
Late 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Silk
Mid-20th Century Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and bold mid-20th century Persian Gabbeh rug with a geometric abrash indigo medallion set against an abrash crimson field, with a single goat in three corners...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Worn Persian Large SquareTribal Shiraz Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th-century rare room square-size worn tribal Shiraz rug
Details
rug no. j4201
size 11' 1" x 13' 5" (338 x 409 cm)
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Geometric Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
a 3rd quarter of the 20th century Persian Gabbeh Rug
Details
rug no. 10765
size 4' 3" x 6' 5" (130 x 196 cm)
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Signed Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
a 21st century one of a kind Persian Gabbeh Rug
Details
rug no. j4020
size 4'5" x 6'7"
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Shahsavan Persian Kilim rug in Polychromatic Patterns by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 6x13 Persian kilim and gallery runner is a mid-century Shahsavan tribal rug—handwoven in wool circa 1950-1960.
Further on the Design:
The design prefers rich brown, br...
Category
1950s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Iraqi Marsh Arab kilim / Wool Woven and Embroidered Ma’dan Wedding Blanket
Located in Roma, IT
We offer for sale an item that holds charm in every knot and every embroidery that composes it.
Coming from Southern Iraq, this item was born with the function of being a Wedding Bla...
Category
Mid-20th Century Iraqi Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Northwest Persian Kilim in Black with Geometric Patterns by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 5x13 Persian Kilim is a tribal rug from Meshkin—a small northwestern village known for its fabulous works. Handwoven in wool, it originates circa 1950-1960.
Further on ...
Category
1950s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Gray Hand Knotted Erased Persian Design Wool and Silk Oriental Rug 14'2" x 18'0"
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 Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Silk
Early 20th Century Handmade Persian Tribal Pictorial Shiraz Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian tribal accent rug handmade by the Shiraz tribe of south Persia during the early 20th century with a rare and unusual pictorial design of 4 chained tigers.
Measu...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Red Contemporary Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind intermediate size Persian Gabbeh rug from the late 20th century featuring a large irregular shape soft color medallion on a spacious borderless red ground
Measures: ...
Category
Late 20th Century Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Silk Prayer Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning late 20th century Chinese hand-knotted silk prayer rug with the most elaborate mihrab decorated with with myriad flowers, vines, and birds, surrounded by a wide border wit...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Silk
Mid-20th Century Karadja Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful mid-20th century Persian Karadja runner with several stylized floral medallions woven in myriad colors including brown, coral, pink, white, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Lion with Sword and Sun Pictorial Malayer Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Malayer small throw rug handmade during the early 20th century with a rustic design of animals and flowers, and a pictorial depiction of the Classic Persian lion...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Gabbeh Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Gabbeh throw rug handmade during the mid-20th century.
Measures: 3' 2" x 5' 1"
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Persian Soumak Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible vintage mid-20th century Persian Afghani Soumak rug three large central medallions amidst a field with myriad stylized flowers and leaves, surrounded by the most incred...
Category
Mid-20th Century Afghan Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Shiraz Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful vintage Shiraz rug with three diamond-form medallions against a field of stylized flowers and surrounded by a geometric stylized floral ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Antique 1890s Persian Bakhtiari Zelesultan Rug by Master Weaver Ardal, Oversized
Located in New York, NY
This Persian Bakhtiari ZeleSultan carpet by master weaver Ardal was created, circa 1890. It consists of a hand-knotted wool pile, wool weft, cotton warp ...
Category
19th Century Persian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Persian Gabbeh Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic mid-20th century Persian Gabbeh rug with an abrash crimson field dotted with indigo goats and chickens, and surrounded by a wide border with a whimsical pattern of repeat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Bobyrug’s nice antique qashqai rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice early 20th century tribal Qashqai rug with beautiful geometrical and stylized designs and nice natural colours, entirely hand knotted with wool on wool foundation.
✨✨✨
"Experie...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Gray Karajeh and Geometric Design Hand Knotted Organic Wool Rug 14'0" x 17'9"
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 Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Antique Hand Knotted Persian Qashqai Shiraz Tribal Rug with Tribal Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Persian Qashqai Shiraz tribal rug with tribal diamond Design,
Keivan Woven Arts / rug EMB-9688-P13531, country of origin / type: Iran / Qashqai...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Bobyrug’s Nice Antique Hamadan Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful early 20th century tribal Hamadan rug with pretty geometrical design and nice natural colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation.
✨✨✨
"Experience...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Cotton, Wool
Qashqai Vintage Wool Leopard Persian Rug in Green and Gray on Red, 5' x 7'
Located in New York, NY
Measuring 5' x 7', this vintage wool Qashqai Persian rug features a striking leopard figure in gray and green atop a red background. Handknotted by skilled artisan weavers in wool on...
Category
1980s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Nice small bag face antique qashqai rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Pretty small qashqai rug in bag face sizes, with beautiful geometrical and decorative designs, and nice natural colours with red, blue, yellow, brown and white, entirely hand knotted...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Narrow Persian Neutral Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
A very narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century.
Measures: 2'3” x 7'2''
Category
20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Bidjar Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful early 20th century Persian Bidjar runner with a field woven with an all-over repeated multi-colored floral pattern set against an abrash indigo background, surrounded by ...
Category
Early 1900s Persian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
1970's Persian Turkoman Carpet, Dark and Moody Nomad Meets Tribal Enchantment
Located in Dallas, TX
78718 Vintage Persian Turkoman Rug Runner, 02'09 x 12'10. A Persian Turkoman rug is a handwoven carpet originating from the Turkmen people, primarily in Central Asia, including parts...
Category
Late 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Antique Afshar Rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the timeless elegance of a late 19th-century fine Afshar rug. Hand-knotted with meticulous craftsmanship, this masterpiece features a decorative design on a deep navy backgr...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Hand Knotted Tukomen Ersari Rug in Red Background With Gul Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
Measures: 6'8 x 9'5.
Vintage Hand Knotted Tukomen Ersari Rug in Red Background With Gul Design. Keivan Woven Arts; rug W22-0207, country of origin / type: Turkestan / Ersari, circa ...
Category
Mid-20th Century East Turkestani Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Pakistani Bokhara Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage late 20th century Pakistani Bokhara rug with six large long central medallions surrounded by multiple thin and wide geometric patterned stri...
Category
Late 20th Century Pakistani Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Extra Extra Long Vintage Hand-Knotted Hamadan Runner Rug, done in 100% wool
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an extra extra extra long vintage hand-knotted Persian runner rug. The runner features beautiful floral and geometric patterns in various colors. Its si...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Silk Qum Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible mid-20th century 100% hand-woven silk Persian Qum rug depicting myriad animals including deer, rabbits, jaguars, rhinos, birds, and so many more, living amidst a forest...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Silk
Vintage Pakistani Bokhara Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage late 20th century Pakistani Bokhara rug with six large long central medallions surrounded by multiple thin and wide geometric patterned stri...
Category
Late 20th Century Pakistani Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
1960's Persian Abadeh Guardian Lion Pictorial Carpet
Located in Dallas, TX
79009 Vintage Persian Abadeh Pictorial Rug, 03'05 x 04'10. Persian Abadeh rugs, crafted in the central Iranian town of Abadeh, beautifully blend the tribal artistry of Qashqai nomads...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Persian Hand Knotted Geometric Ardabil Runner Rug
Located in San Diego, CA
This runner is knotted in the province of Azarbayjan in north-west of Iran. The design is geometric with repeated medallion. The pile is wool with cotton foundation. The base color i...
Category
1960s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Pretty antique tribal Shiraz rug
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Wonderful late 19th century Shiraz rug with beautiful geometrical and tribal design with stylized designs and a beautiful central medallion, with nice natural colours with sky blue, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Camel Powder Blue Antique Persian Serab Decorative Rug Mat
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century traditional Persian Serab mat in powder blue and camel accents.
Measures: 2'7" x 4'1".
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Pakistani Bukhara Carpet in Orange and Green from the 1970s
Located in Milano, MI
Pakistani Bukhara carpet from the 1970s, in orange and emerald green colors.
Ø cm 280 h cm 190
Bukhara-type rugs are named after the city of the ...
Category
1970s Pakistani Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Late 19th Century Antique Persian Shiraz Carpet
Located in Dallas, TX
78155 Antique Persian Shiraz Rug, 05'06 x 06'05. Persian Shiraz rugs, hailing from the villages surrounding the historic city of Shiraz in Iran's Fars province, epitomize the essenc...
Category
Late 19th Century Persian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Tribal Geometric Antique Persian Kurdish Runner
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular tribal Kurdish runner from the 1st quarter of the 20th century
Measures: 3' x 16'5”.
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Keivan Woven Arts Antique 1900's Persian Serab Rug 3'2" x 3'10"
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique Persian Serab Rug. Keivan Woven Arts/ rug/ EMB-22290, country of origin / type: Iran / Type of rug: Serab, circa 1900.
This charming Antique Persian Serab Rug, crafted circa...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Narrow Antique Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
A very narrow Persian Heriz Karadja runner from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century.
Measures: 1'10” x 5'5''
Category
20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
The tribal Afshar weavers of SE Persia have narrow looms and therefore specialize in scatters such as this one with matching abrashed pale blue-grey field and rosette – filled cartou...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
Our most popular SW Persian tribal rug design. The light slate cartouche medallion is strongly double pinched and stepped, with a three-panel central pole medallion of hooked diamond...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug. This well-subdued SE Persian tribal scatter features a tall, pinched and pointed sandy ivory medallion with two octogramme rosette centers, on an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Karadja Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful mid-20th century Persian Karadja runner with several stylized floral medallions woven in myriad colors including brown, coral, pink, white, ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
19th Century Russian Tekke Turkmen Carpet ( 7' x 10'6" - 213 x 320 )
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Russian Tekke Turkmen Carpet ( 7' x 10'6" - 213 x 320 )
Category
1870s Persian Antique Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Antique Persian Afshar Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Afshar rug from the early 20th century. Vaguely insectoid unidirectional palmettes in mostly red and blue are displayed in seven rows on the ivory ground. This is ...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug. Three joined, hooked lozenges with palmette cruciform centers form the main attraction on the step-shaped sapphire blue subfield with three point...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug. The light blue-grey field displays a sand panel with three points at each end, centering a pole medallion of two light blue square cartouches enc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug. On a pale blue-grey ground, the buff sub-field displays three pointed, cross-topped finials at each end, and contains a deeply notched and steppe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug handmade during the Mid-20th century.
Measures: 4' 11" x 6' 6"
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug. This is one of the most popular Afshar tribal rug patterns: a waisted cartouche with three points at each end and, in this case, two central diam...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Antique Persian Camel Hamadan Long Rug, Circa 120s
Located in New York, NY
The cream and tan honeycomb field supports a dark blue, strongly stepped Herati medallion with arrowhead finials, and en suite quarter medallion corners. Cream main border with rever...
Category
1910s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
Our favorite Afshar design. The light blue, step-cinched inner medallion hosts a short pole medallion of two hooked, ecru diamonds, all set on a tabbed straw tripoint panel, and set ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Persian Afshar Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Afshar accent rug. Twenty-five ladies, one per each medium brown hexagonal panel subtly decorate this SE Persian tribal scatter. Tinker-toy secondary devices fit be...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Vintage Shahsavan Persian Kilim rug in Polychromatic Stripes by Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
This vintage 5x14 Persian Kilim is believed to be a Shahsavan tribal rug, and a unique piece in its period. Handwoven in wool, it originates circa 1950-1960 from a rare selection of ...
Category
1950s Persian Vintage Tribal Persian Rugs
Materials
Wool
Authentic Antique and Vintage Persian Tribal Rugs for Sale on 1stDibs
Make a bold statement in a living room or bedroom by incorporating vintage Persian tribal rugs in your home decor.
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. Although this 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. 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.
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.
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, silk Persian rugs and other antique and vintage rugs on 1stDibs.