How do I clean an antique rug?

Gentle surface brushing and regular light vacuuming without a beater bar remove loose dust effectively. Professional textile cleaning is necessary for deep washing to protect the natural wool and dyes. Avoid chemical spot treatments or soaking the foundation at home, as moisture can compromise nineteenth-century fibres and historical dyes.

Are these rugs suitable for high traffic areas?

Hand-knotted wool textiles withstand regular foot traffic well due to the inherent resilience of natural animal fibres. Placing a quality underlay beneath the piece prevents slipping and reduces friction against the floor. Rotating the layout periodically ensures even wear across the surface over decades of daily domestic use.

How do I identify different tribal designs?

Regional aesthetics appear through specific geometric vocabularies, border arrangements, and colour saturations. Afshar and Qashqai pieces often display distinct medallion or all-over formats rooted in southern traditions. Comparative study of knot structures and regional palettes helps differentiate between Caucasian, Persian, and Turkmen village outputs.

What is a main carpet versus a scatter rug?

Main carpets are larger room-sized floor coverings designed to anchor principal living spaces or reception areas. Scatter rugs and hearth formats are smaller dimensions intended for bedside placement or specific smaller zones. Both categories utilise identical hand-knotting techniques but serve different architectural scales within traditional homes.