Where should I place a runner in my home?

These narrow textiles suit hallways, corridors, and long entryways where floor space is constrained. They soften footfall and protect wooden floorboards while guiding movement through a property. Position them centrally in corridors, ensuring adequate clearance from skirting boards and doors to allow smooth opening and closing.

How do I care for an antique wool runner?

Regular gentle vacuuming without a beater bar prevents dust accumulation within the wool pile. Professional cleaning should be undertaken periodically by specialists in antique textiles. Keep these pieces out of direct, intense sunlight to protect natural dye colours from fading prematurely over the years.

What is the difference between Heriz and Sarab runners?

Heriz runners typically feature bold, geometric medallions and robust structural wool suited to heavy domestic use. Their designs lean toward architectural rigidity and strong primary tones. Sarab runners often display camel hair backgrounds in warm golden-brown tones, accompanied by subtle Herati or repeat geometric patterns originating from north-west Persia.

How can I tell a tribal runner from a workshop piece?

Tribal runners woven by nomadic or village groups often display spontaneous asymmetry, charming irregularities, and deeply personal symbolic motifs. Their designs rely on memory rather than precise cartoon guides. Town workshop carpets exhibit highly refined symmetry, intricate curvilinear floral arrangements, and precise draughtsmanship executed by professional weavers.