Buying Rugs In Iran
Whether you are an artist, a collector, a traveler, or someone who wishes to add a beautiful and precious item to his home, a Persian carpet is undoubtedly high on your list of priorities. However, you may face difficulties or quickly get confused when it comes to purchasing a Persian carpet due to its diversity and the huge market that represents it. There are many bazaars for carpets worldwide. Each city has its own traditional way of weaving and materials, and all these can lead to facing different prices and qualities. That is why in this blog, we intend to give you a practical guideline on buying the perfect Persian carpet and also show you an easy way to add this beautiful and precious item to your home or office easily at the end!
buying rugs in iran
Persian carpets come in various forms and sizes. Many cities in Iran are famous for traditional carpet weaving, and each one has its own unique style, pattern, and quality. The colors also can vary from one city to the other. As a result, one of the most important factors to consider while buying a Persian carpet is getting familiar with all the patterns and colors and finding one that suits you the most.
Experience living with Iran nomads and learn about their lifestyle as you walk, sleep and wake up with them. Among these good-natured and kind-hearted people, you will also find weavers who weave the magical patterns of nature into their handwoven rugs; you might enjoy watching them as they do so.
I strongly recommend you to visit carpet museum before buying any carpet. It gives some idea on what to buy and where to buy and how to find fine carpet. It is certainly worth buying it inside in Iran cuz the copies of Persian Carpet are now produced in different neighboring countries and it is impossible for non-expert to distinguish it from real Persian ones.
You need to know how to recognize a good carpet, from material and build point of view. Otherwise you can simply end up buying a fake product. I think that is why Mojtaba suggested to visit the carpet museum.
Our guide took us to a "safe" shop in Esfahan, but I am sure you can be cheated anywhere... anyhow they taught us a trick to check that what you are buying is real silk: ask the vendor to pour hot water on the carpet, if it is real silk you'll see no change and it won't get damaged, if it is "artificial silk" it will start shrinking (the plastic melts) and the carpet will be ruined... and make sure that they package THAT carpet and not another one :-)
Our tour-guide said that for shopping Isfahan is the best place and If you are staying there for 2 -3 days, it is best to visit the same carpets shops several time, to get a better discount... and anyway to not feel to pressed into buying, for the shoppers it is normal to spend 1 hour showing carpets to you, without reaching any deal... just visit other shops and then go back again the following day...
I just visited Iran and I wrote an article in my blog. The store that appears there is in Isfahan. I tried to sum up the important stuff you might look after when buying a carpet. I hope you find the information useful.
This article is an ultimate guide that contains essential information on Persian rugs, their history, styles, pricing, and much more. This piece will help you choose the best authentic rugs for your home.
Oriental rugs come from diverse corners of the globe, including Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Tibet, Afghanistan, and Turkey. However, Persian rugs get produced in what is modern-day Iran. Therefore, we can safely conclude that area rugs are a unique subset of Oriental rugs.
The art progressed gradually from generation to generation as more carpets and rugs went into production. As a result of this, the skill and craft of carpet making perfected over extensive periods. The rapid development of international trade also played a significant role in increasing the variety of designs and patterns produced.
Traditionally, priceless rugs were hand woven by skilled carpet weavers, using dyes and top-quality silk. However, these rugs can now be mass-produced by machines in this modern era, using cheaper materials like wool or cotton.
One of the simplest ways of carpet weaving is flat weaving. Flatweave rugs are durable but thinner than most knotted carpets or rugs. On the other hand, rugs can also be made to fit areas that are longer than they are wide. These are called runner rugs.
Tabriz rugs have diverse patterns, ranging from hunting scenes and trees to teardrop medallions. Antique Tabriz rugs are priceless possessions that you can only find in museums and private collections.
You can easily identify Heriz rugs by their intrinsic bold patterns and vibrant colors. They always contain a large medallion in the center, with two or three outlines and sizeable corner pieces. Heriz rugs are renowned for their durability.
Kashan rugs always come with a trademark patterned floral field with a medallion and unique corner patterns. They are commonly designed from a combination of ivory, rich red, and deep blue colors. Occasional patches of green, yellow, or burnt orange may also get included in the design.
Gabbeh rugs get woven in the Zagros Mountains by Luri and Qashqai weavers. That is why they feature a heavy tribal influence. Handspun wool gets used to make these thick and course rugs. They have simple designs that get woven on a lush and plain color field.
Nain rugs get made from high-quality wool. They have the finest texture and usually have an average knot count of 300-700 KPSI. These rugs are intricately patterned and commonly contain green or blue branches intertwined with small flowers woven on light ivory or white background.
Sometimes weavers use goat or camel hair in limited quantities. Excess goat or camel hair can be undesirable in Kashan rugs. And, although rugs may acquire an extra sheen from these materials, dyeing them is very difficult, and the rugs are more likely to fade faster than sheep wool carpets.
Cotton plant fibers absorb dyes efficiently, and this material is more affordable than silk or wool. That is why some weavers prefer cotton. However, rugs made from this material are less durable as compared to wool and silk.
Silk is the least used material in antique rugs because it is expensive. However, this material is more durable and has a finer texture than most other natural fibers. The pricier nature, intricate detailing, and skill required to produce silk a runner rug makes them perfect for low-traffic areas. Or you can use them as wall hangings.
Persia got introduced to aniline dyes in the late 19th century. These dyes faded fast and created a crude color. They were therefore considered unsuitable for the yarns used to make rugs. The Persian government banned their import in the 20th century and authorized the burning of any dye houses found using them.
Natural dyes are more durable and have a greater appeal than chrome dyes. Madder is the most popular dye derived from plants. It produces a red color. A good chunk of traditional rugs has this dye in their fabric.
Persian rugs may smell fishy from stains or inadequate cleaning. If yours happens to give off an unwanted odor, use water, vinegar, and detergent to clean it. That ought to get rid of the pungent smell and add a refreshed feel to your Persian rug.
Persian rugs often come with classic motifs and traditional designs because they get produced in one of the oldest countries on earth. Furthermore, Iran has had limited amiable interactions with the Western world. Therefore, their style has not been affected by foreign consumer demands.
Check which dyes got used to color a Persian rug before making a purchase. Persian rugs are mostly colored using either natural or chemical dyes. All-natural dyes are higher in quality and more traditional compared to chemical dyes.
Different hand-knotted Persian rugs have different prices depending on the material, knots count, and time invested. The higher the knot count or time invested in production, the pricier you can expect the rug to be.
Persian rugs are famous for their floral detailing and geometrical patterns. Professional artisans sometimes spend over ten years making one high-end Persian rug. That is why they are so expensive and coveted by homeowners and collectors. View our Persian collection today to find your own perfect one of a kind piece for your home. We have new arrivals coming in regularly and would love to help you find your dream rug design. 041b061a72