How do I clean a nomadic carpet?

Regular gentle vacuuming without a beater bar removes loose grit from the wool fibres. Professional antique rug cleaning is recommended for deep washing to protect the natural dyes. Avoid chemical spot treatments or soaking the foundation, as moisture can weaken old cotton and wool threads. Prompt blotting handles minor spills effectively.

Are these rugs suitable for heavy traffic?

Wool and goat hair materials provide natural resilience against everyday friction in domestic settings. Placing a quality underlay beneath the carpet cushions the pile and prevents slipping on hard floors. Heavily distressed or finely knotted historic pieces benefit from placement in lower-traffic areas to preserve their remaining pile. Sturdier village main carpets handle hallway and living room use with ease.

How do I identify tribal designs?

Tribal designs rely on geometric motifs, hooked polygons, animals, and stylized trees passed down through generations. These patterns reflect the maker's immediate environment and cultural heritage rather than formal court workshops. Regional groups such as the Qashqai or Afshar employ distinct colour combinations and medallion structures. Comparing structural borders and secondary motifs helps pinpoint the likely origin.