How do I clean a silk rug?

Professional specialist cleaning is essential for maintaining delicate silk pile and natural dyes. Household water and standard detergents cause permanent fibre damage. Vacuum gently without a rotating brush bar to prevent snagging the delicate warp and weft threads.

Where were these rugs made?

Production centres span traditional weaving regions in Persia and Turkey, alongside Chinese workshops. Specific towns such as Qum, Kashan, Isfahan, Hereke, and Kayseri developed distinct regional styles. Local workshops utilised native floral and architectural motifs that help identify their geographic origins.

Can I place silk rugs on the floor?

Lower traffic areas protect the delicate silk pile from excessive friction and wear. Many collectors also mount smaller formats, such as pictorial rugs or prayer mats, on walls as textile art. Using a quality underlay prevents slipping and cushions the foundation against hard flooring.

How do I date an antique rug?

Examination of structural materials, knot techniques, and regional colour palettes helps establish the production era. Nineteenth and early twentieth century pieces display characteristic dye saturation and hand-spun pile variations. Documentation of previous sales and stylistic comparisons provide further chronological markers.