A Primer on Persian Rugs

Rugs are a key design element in spacious homes with open floor plans. When there are no walls to delineate one room from the other, rugs can help to mark spaces and give a sense of “area.” Among all of the rugs out there, Persian rugs are a highly desirable commodity. But with such a long history and so many options, how can you choose which one has the right visual style for what you’re looking for? Keep reading to learn from our quick guide to Persian rugs.

History

Persian rugs have a long history that goes back thousands of years. Today, they are crafted by weavers in what is modern-day Iran. There are many different types and styles of Persian rugs, each one named after the city where they’re created; we’ll go into more detail about the various patterns, colors, and textures later in the article. Persian rugs began being created by shepherds and nomads and the craft has spread across the world, becoming one of the most popular and artistic rug styles today.

How they’re made

The creation of Persian rugs truly is an art. Typically they’re made of wool, cotton, and silk, and the weaving techniques have been passed down through the generations. Each rug takes immense time and attention to detail and the ones that are handcrafted are highly valuable. Traditionally, natural ingredients are used to dye the fibers and Craftsman hand dip the yarn that they’ll use in various batches of vegetable dyes using materials like turmeric, leaves, pomegranate, and more.

Types of Persian rugs

Depending on where the rug is made it will reflect a different visual style, set of colors, and patterns, all of which style perfectly with any luxury home, affordable home, modern home, or anything in between. Here are some of the most popular variations and what distinguishes them:

Bhaktiari: This type of rug is named after a tribe in the Zagros mountains. They feature bold geometric designs as well as some floral patterns using thick wool.

Bijar: These rugs come from northwest Iran and use a traditional Turkish knot giving them a heavy and thick texture. They are extremely durable and will last a lifetime and feature diamond-shaped patterns, flowers, and vines.

Gabbeh: These rugs use geometry to tell a story they are usually crafted by women in the Qashqai tribes featuring patterns that show images of animals and landscapes.

Senneh: These rugs are made in the mountains in northwest Iran and feature dark reds navy tones, and browns. These rugs are coarse and use fine fibers that make them durable yet thinner than some of the other types.

Kashan: Dating back to the golden age of Persian weaving, these rugs feature a central medallion motif and use dense knots and high-quality fibers. It’s a combination of these

factors that makes Kashan rugs highly valuable.

Heriz: These rugs are easy to identify because they will have a geometric rectangular medallion in the center that has remained consistent throughout history. They use a heavy pile and do not feature as many repeating designs.

A Persian rug can be viewed as an investment. Often, because of their high-quality fibers and thickness, they will last a lifetime or even for generations. An authentic Persian rug will be a high-cost item but can reliably be passed down.

Let Bill Beazley Homes serve your needs

We are trusted local builders with experience in new home communities. Based in Evans, GA, we are the home builders you can come to as partners in the full process. Contact us today to learn more.