How do I care for an antique rug?

Vacuum gently without using a rotating brush roll to prevent snagging the wool pile. Keep the textile out of direct, intense sunlight to protect the natural dyes from fading unevenly. Rotate the rug periodically to ensure even wear patterns across high-traffic areas. Professional cleaning by a specialist in antique textiles is essential every few years.

Where were these rugs made?

Production centres span across Persia, the Caucasus, Anatolia, Turkmenistan, and Tibet. Village weavers and nomadic tribes created distinct patterns unique to their specific geographic regions. Town workshops in places like Oushak, Heriz, and Isfahan produced larger, more formal carpets for export and domestic elite use.

What is the difference between a carpet and a rug?

Carpets generally refer to larger floor coverings suited for substantial rooms or main reception spaces. Rugs typically describe smaller formats intended for specific zones, hearths, or prayer use. Both share identical hand-knotting techniques and material compositions depending on their origin.

How can I tell tribal rugs apart?

Tribal pieces from regions like the Caucasus or Baluchistan feature bold geometric motifs, stark primary colours, and distinctive borders. These designs reflect the independent artistic heritage of specific nomadic groups. In contrast, Persian town carpets often display intricate curved floral vines, central medallions, and balanced symmetrical layouts.

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Traditional Hand Knotted Rug

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These are traditional hand knotted rug examples, woven across Persia, the Caucasus, Anatolia and Central Asia during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.