There are several distinct types of oriental rug weaving, but the most prestigious are made in Persia, or as it is more properly called these days, Iran. The new collector could be forgiven for thinking that 'real' Persian type rugs are those actually made within the borders of Iran. This is far from true, as rug making skills and traditions are to be found from North Africa, through the middle east, and across to the furthest shores of Asia. The lines on maps which mark the borders of modern states meant little to the wandering tribes who passed from village to village during centuries past, taking their skills to new areas.

In a generic sense, we can include hand knotted rugs from several countries in the catch-all lower case description: 'persian rugs'. There are excellent weavers in Iran itself, but also in Turkey, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and the countries around the Caspian sea that once formed the southern part of the USSR. There have been some wonderful 'persian' rugs made in the most unlikely places: Egypt, China, and even Romania. Unless, for some reason, the buyer feels strongly that a persian rug should be made only in Persia, it will usually be better to consider each piece on its merits. 

With some notable exceptions, most hand knotted rugs are made from excellent quality wool that comes from hardy mountain-region sheep. It is very much tougher than the yarn that is used to make Western broadloom carpets. The wearing properties of persian rugs are legend, and rightly so. There are many rugs that have been in use for over a hundred years: longevity that is due mostly to the quality of the yarn. The very best rugs are made from Kurk wool. Kurk is shorn from the chest and shoulders of mountain lambs, and is of the highest possible quality.

Persian rugs are very tough, but there is one modern habit that more than anything else poses a threat to them - the wearing of trainer type shoes. Whether or not you approve of trainers from a fashion point of view, they are an absolute disaster for carpets of all kinds. The leather shoes that we all once wore, slipped nicely over the pile, polishing the surface to a fine sheen, without wearing it away. The wonderfully grippy soles of trainers prevent one's feet from skidding, but also do an excellent job of dragging out the fibres: very good news for sellers of rugs and carpets, but bad news for the poor materials under-foot. It's worth mentioning that crepe soled shoes (once called, quite appropriately, 'brothel creepers') are even more destructive.

The basic types of Persian rug.

Tribal Weavings (Shiraz, most Afghans, Belouche, etc.)

These rugs are usually of primitive design, and possess a limited colour range: reds and blues predominating. Such rugs are still obtainable in reasonable quantities, and are therefore relatively inexpensive. Tribal weavings are made on a horizontal loom, and usually made of coarse, (although not necessarily poor quality), yarn. Tribal rugs are made by nomadic tribes-people, who weave a wool pile onto a wool warp and weft, on a ground (horizontal), loom.  As these wandering tribes move from pasture to pasture, the loom is collapsed then re-pitched at the new camp. Because the wool is inclined to "recover", having been under tension, it is difficult to re-create the same loom settings, so the rugs made on such primitive looms often feature an irregular shape. Many buyers view this imperfection as an pleasing change in our modern Western World with its perfect symmetry and accurate angles.

Village Weavings (Hamadan, Afshar, etc.)

Village-made rugs are usually of finer quality than nomadic pieces, and because they are made on a permanently-rigged loom they tend to be of a more consistent shape. These rugs often employ a cotton warp and weft which add stability and resistance to shrinkage. The ground colours are often blue and red, but with easier access to modern dyestuffs village weavings now often incorporate lighter and brighter colours such as beiges, golds, and yellows. This category includes some very prestigious and expensive rug types. Persian rug collectors know well that heavy rugs such as Heriz, Bijar, and Sarab are some of the toughest of all hand-made rugs. Although initially expensive, these wonderful rugs will provide several generations of use and pleasure, and they therefore offer the best value of all.


Town Weavings (Tabriz, Nain, Isphahan, etc.)

The finest Persian rugs are all town-woven. They are made on a fixed vertical loom which allows far greater knot density, and a much more consistent weave. These rugs are usually very detailed in their design, and often incorporate complex multiple borders. The colours of town-woven rugs are much more diverse than the coarser rug types. Rugs made