How do I care for an old wool carpet?

Vacuum gently without a rotating beater bar to protect the wool pile from unnecessary friction and fibre loss. Professional cleaning should be undertaken periodically by specialists familiar with antique textiles. Keep the piece out of direct, intense sunlight to prevent fading of the deep blue indigo dyes over time.

Where were these carpets traditionally placed?

Larger formats served as floor coverings in formal reception rooms, dining spaces and libraries where their durability and striking designs commanded attention. Runners were specifically proportioned for corridors, hallways and grand staircases. Smaller tribal rugs found utility as hearth rugs or smaller area coverings in intimate domestic settings.

How do I distinguish regional styles?

Heriz carpets typically feature heavy, angular geometric medallions with distinct corner spandrels woven in robust wool. Shirvan rugs from the Caucasus often display crisper, smaller-scale tribal motifs with bright contrasting accents against dark fields. Examining the density of the knotting and the specific palette helps attribute a piece to its likely place of origin.

What makes nineteenth century pieces distinct?

Nineteenth century examples often display softer, more varied secondary tones derived from traditional dye sources that developed rich patinas over decades of use. The handling of the wool in these earlier pieces tends to yield a softer handle. Slight irregularities in the geometry reveal the individual hand of the weaver rather than mechanical uniformity.