How to Identify the Persian rug

The larger the Persian rug the more expensive it will be.

Persian rugs have been made for their function and beauty for thousands of years. Originating in Iran, or former Persia, families have made rug weaving their main source of income for over 2,500 years. What is considered a true Persian rug consists of a type of weaving and its place of origin. For those purchasing a Persian rug, it is essential to be able to distinguish true Persian rugs from counterfeits or replicas.

Instructions

1. Ask the rug distributor for the name of the rug. Most Persian rugs made in Iran are named from the town, village or district where they were weaved. Look up the name that is given to find out if the name matches with a region in Iran. Check out the link in resources for helping you identify the rug.

2. Examine the design of the rug. Different regions of Iran have their own signature design. For example, Tabriz rugs incorporate curves into their patterns and use vibrant colors. Baluch rugs generally use burgundy in their color scheme. They employ prayer rug designs or simple patterns.

3. Flip the rug over and look at the knots on the back of the rug. Most Persian rugs are made to have asymmetrical knots, which means they are not perfect if a line was drawn through the middle. In addition, they are usually very compact and packed down. Tabriz is one of the few Persian rugs made with a symmetrical knot.

4. Measure one square inch of the rug with measuring tape. Count the number of knots in a square inch. If there are less than 150 knots, the rug has a good chance of not being Persian.

5. Fold the rug to see how it folds. Rugs that fold over like stiff napkins are typically Persian. If the rug easily folds over, it is probably not a Persian but a replica of one.

Tips & Warnings

• Older Persian rugs will be dyed with vegetable dies, which are less vivid than synthetic dyes.

• Avoid buying two rugs that look exactly the same, because they probably are not Persian rugs.

References

• Jacobsen Rugs: Oriental Rugs
• Farinet: Perisan Rugs
• Internet Rugs: 25 Oriental Rug Identifications

Resources

• Nejad: Places Where Oriental Rugs are Made