What is an antique medallion rug?

An antique medallion rug is a hand-knotted floor covering featuring a prominent central design element surrounded by field patterns and borders. These textiles originate from various nineteenth and early twentieth-century weaving traditions across the Near East and Caucasus.

How do I identify different regional styles?

Regional styles appear through distinct colour palettes, knotting structures, and specific motif arrangements like geometric polygons or floral sprays. Comparing border designs and medallion shapes helps separate Caucasian pieces from Persian or Turkish village examples.

Where were these rugs made?

Production centres included tribal encampments, rural villages, and urban workshops across regions such as Persia, the Caucasus, and Anatolia. Weavers utilised locally sourced wool and traditional dyeing methods native to each specific geographic area.

How should I care for an antique rug?

Proper maintenance involves regular gentle vacuuming without rotating brush heads and professional cleaning when necessary. Keeping the textile away from direct sunlight preserves the natural dyes used in the wool pile.