Where should I place a long runner?

These narrow formats suit hallways, long corridors, and landings where extra floor protection and warmth are needed. Their elongated dimensions fit narrow architectural spaces that standard square rugs cannot accommodate. Ensure you measure the corridor width and length carefully before choosing a piece, leaving exposed wood or stone flooring visible around the perimeter.

How do I care for antique wool?

Vacuum the surface gently using suction attachment without a rotating beater bar to protect the hand-knotted pile. Address spills immediately by blotting with a clean cloth rather than rubbing the fibres. Professional cleaning should be undertaken periodically by specialists familiar with antique vegetable-dyed wool textiles.

How do I distinguish regional styles?

Regional types display distinct drawing styles, colour palettes, and structural densities specific to the villages and tribes that wove them. Heriz runners often feature bold geometric medallions, whereas Hamadan and Kurdish pieces utilise denser all-over patterns. Examining the weave on the reverse side reveals clues about the knot count and foundation materials typical of each area.

Are these runners made with natural dyes?

Many examples from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries rely on traditional natural dye sources for their distinct red backgrounds and secondary hues. These materials produce subtle variations in tone across the wool pile. Subtle shifts in shade, known as abrash, indicate where dye batches changed during the long weaving process.