IDENTIFYING THE ORIGIN OF A RUG
For most, recognising the origin of a Persian Carpet or a Modern Handcrafted Rug is a complex and sometimes difficult process. However, with experience, one can often tell the origin of a rug from the design, various fabrics used, the type of weave and the binding along the edges.
Nearly all Handmade Persian Carpets have a design specific to their origin. For example, this Nain Rug has a distinctive cream background and royal blue design with a woollen pile and silk inlay. Nearly all Nain rugs have this colour combination or Persian Carpets with a Royal Blue background and white silk inlay can also be from Nain. However, there are handmade Persian Carpets with the same design now made in the province of Tabas in Iran but with the Nain Design. These generally have a thicker pile, making it quicker to make by weaving fewer knots per square meter. Lately, these designs have also been copied in India. These generally have a different-looking wool and thickness identifiable by experts. Their size is also in feet when from India rather than metric dimensions used in Iran.
If a handmade carpet does not have a border design, abstract characters or flowers then it is usually not made in Persia (Iran). Carpets without these features are usually from Afghanistan, Pakistan or India. The wool of Persian Carpets is also relatively thick and natural but in Afghanistan and Pakistan, they are often a rougher feeling hand-spun wool like this Handmade Afghan Carpet or shiny soft worsted wool like this Rug hand-woven in Pakistan. Some of the most sophisticated Luxury Handmade Carpets are made in Afghanistan including those designed by William Morris. These are now also being made with pastel colours for a stunning Modern William Morris result. These have a distinctive feature of natural plant dyes and handspun wool.
Generally speaking, the more Minimal Luxury Modern Handmade Carpets come from India. This is a Minimal Luxury Modern Handmade Carpet hand-knotted in India. Then there are some distinctions between regions such as Rajasthan and Agra. The ones made in Rajasthan often have a heavier woollen pile and the silk is derived from the natural silkworm. When they are from Agra the wool feels a little rougher and they use viscose as the silk inlay and are a little lighter in weight wool but the viscose is heavier in weight.
Our Oxford Rug Collection comes mostly from Agra with a range of qualities to suit the design and your needs. These often have bound fringes which is rarely done in Iran even if you ask them to.
The binding along the edges of the carpet is also different for different regions. For example, a Chinese Silk Carpet will have a triple-edge binding along the side, while one from Iran will have a single binding.
If you need to identify your carpet then visit our showroom at 487 Church St Richmond Vic 3121 and I will help you identify the origin of your Persian Carpet and may consider doing a trade-in of your old rug for a new one. Let me know if you have read this blog and if you have any thoughts or feedback.
Best Wishes
Omid Master
Director of Master Rugs
