How do I clean an antique wool carpet?

Routine maintenance requires gentle vacuuming without a rotating power head to protect the delicate hand-knotted pile from friction damage. Professional immersion washing remains necessary for deep cleaning to remove embedded grit without disturbing the natural wool fibres. Water exposure should be kept minimal during spot cleaning to prevent dye migration, particularly in pieces coloured with traditional natural dyes. Allowing the rug to dry flat in a well-ventilated space preserves the integrity of the cotton or wool foundation.

Can these carpets handle heavy foot traffic?

Substantial wool construction and sturdy cotton foundations allow many room-sized tribal carpets to endure active hallways and living spaces. Placing a breathable, high-quality rug underlay beneath the piece absorbs impact shock and prevents slipping on hard floors. Regular rotation distributes wear evenly across the surface when placed in high-traffic zones. Thinner prayer rugs or fragile distressed examples suit low-impact areas or wall display better than heavy room-sized runners.

How do I distinguish Heriz from Tabriz carpets?

Heriz carpets generally display bold, large-scale geometric medallions with characteristic angular drawing and sturdy terracotta fields. Their robust wool and rustic village aesthetic contrast sharply with city-weaved production methods. Tabriz carpets typically feature fine, highly intricate curvilinear floral patterns with sophisticated border arrangements and exceptional knot density. The drawing in Tabriz pieces appears much more flowing and painterly compared to the architectural geometry of Heriz.

What causes terracotta shades to vary?

Natural dye extraction from madder root and other plant materials yields variable terracotta tones depending on mineral content in the water and mordants used. Hand-spun wool absorbs these organic colorants unevenly, creating subtle abrash streaks across the field. Decades of exposure to light and atmospheric conditions mellow these terracotta hues into softer rust and salmon tones. This organic ageing process gives antique wool carpets a dynamic visual depth unattainable in modern synthetic dyes.