PERSIAN RUG BUYERS GUIDE

If you’re considering making an investment in purchasing a Persian rug, it’s best to have some knowledge beforehand. We’ve compiled some tips and guidelines to help you know what you want, what you’re buying and how to get the best deal.

IS A PERSIAN RUG THE SAME AS AN ORIENTAL RUG? Many people make the assumption that all oriental rugs are the same, which is not true. Whereas oriental rugs can be made in several countries (typically India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Tibet), Persian rugs are only produced in the area of the world formerly known as Persia (modern-day Iran).

Why does this differentiation matter? Although a well-crafted oriental rug can still be a beautiful addition to your home, the rugs made in Iran (formerly known as Persia) are considered to be the highest quality among oriental rugs. Persian rugs have a long- established history of craftsmanship. The people of Persia had the distinctive expertise of handcrafting rugs, which is native to that region, dating back to more than 2500 years ago.

HANDMADE OR MACHINE-MADE?

There are Persian rugs that are painstakingly created by hand and those that are made by large machines. These machines are called power looms and they are run by computers. The materials used in machine-made rugs include wool and synthetic fibres, such as polypropylene, nylon, polyester, acrylic and art silk.

Machine-made Persian rugs can be produced more quickly than hand-made rugs and therefore cost less. However, their lifespan is usually 20 years or less, depending on the quality of the materials used and how well they are maintained. They are not an investment piece, and provide no value to collectors.

A 3 x 2 metre handmade Persian rug takes at least eight months to complete and some require years of labour. The craftsmanship used in creating them sets them well apart from the machine-made rugs. Each rug is uniquely designed, visually stunning and appealing. Their beauty is unsurpassable. Authentic, handmade Persian rugs are investments, since they will increase in value over time. They also age much better than machine-made rugs, actually becoming even more beautiful over time.

There is also a sort of “hybrid” between handmade and machine-made Persian rugs, called “hand-crafted” or “hand-tufted” rugs. They are made using a hand-held drill gun that inserts the pile into the cloth foundation, creating a loop pile. If sheared, the loop pile is called a cut pile, whereas, if not sheared, it is referred to as a “hand-hooked” rug. The rug can also be a combination of both styles, creating a dimensional pattern. A latex coating and canvas fabric are then applied to the back of the rug.

These hand-tufted rugs may look more authentically handmade than the machine-made ones, and cost less than handmade Persian rugs because they require much less time to complete. They can be very beautiful, but do not improve with age as do the handmade rugs. Therefore, they are not considered to be an investment and are not typically valued by collectors. The bottom line when purchasing any Persian rug is to determine whether you want a quality product that will last for many decades, become more beautiful as it ages, and is a great investment. If all these factors are true, you’ll want only a handmade Persian rug!

Authentic handmade Persian rugs have a higher aesthetic and financial value. They are considered as investments as well as beautiful additions to your home decor. Machine- made rugs are solely for decorative purposes. Knowing how to tell the difference between a handmade Persian rug and a machine-made rug can save you a lot of heartache.

How to Tell the Difference between Handmade and Machine-Made

If you’re shopping for an authentic handmade Persian rug, it may be a challenge to differentiate between them and the machine-made ones. Here are a couple things to look for:

• Rug Knots Because authentic Persian rugs are made by an individual person, they are not uniform. The knots, which make up the pile of the rug, are tied by hand, so they will be of different sizes. This makes each rug a unique production. If the rug has knots that are all the same size, it means it was machine-made. • Rug Fringe When making a Persian rug by hand, its fringe is woven in as part of the rug’s foundation and is an integral part of its design. In machine-made rugs, the fringe is added to the foundation after the rug is made. HOW HANDMADE PERSIAN RUGS ARE MADE

Authentic handmade Persian rugs are all uniquely created from different materials, designs and dyes and characteristics.

Materials

It’s important to know that synthetic materials are never used in the pile or foundation of handmade Persian rugs. Wool is the most common material used, but silk and combinations of the two can also be used for authentic Persian rugs. Materials used and their level of quality usually depend on the region where the rugs are made. (See Tribal vs. City Persian Rugs below.)

There are three types of wool--white wool, pearl-coloured wool and multi-coloured wool-- used in Persian rugs. Black wool is never used because it cannot be dyed. The characteristics of the wool used is important, as well. It should be thick with an even texture and have the right amount of curl and oiliness to prevent the strands from breaking. Wool from New Zealand is considered some of the best wool in the world; however, because it is more difficult and expensive to attain, Persian rugs often have a mixture of New Zealand wool and local wool.

The quality and value of a Persian rug usually depends on the type of wool used. The highest quality of wool comes from the head, neck, back and stomach of the sheep. The next-best wool can be found from the feet, arms, shoulders and sides.

Sometimes, silk fibres are added to wool to produce rugs with a softer feel and rich lustre. They are very luxurious and elegant, but delicate and more difficult to maintain and clean. They are also typically more expensive than those rugs made with pure wool. You need to consider the wear and tear that your Persian rug will withstand. If the foot traffic it receives is high, these blended materials may not be a good choice.

Regions Where Rugs Are Made

All Persian rugs fall into one of two categories; tribal or city. Each type has distinct characteristics.

Nomadic or Tribal Persian Rugs Tribal rugs originated from people identified with various tribes and clans in Persia. They raised sheep and goats, and lived a nomadic lifestyle, living mostly in portable tents. They often moved to search for more opportunities for grazing for their livestock.

Tribal rugs are usually brighter in colour with a looser weave, with as few as 50 knots per square inch. The designs are simpler, with less complex patterns, because the looser weave restricts the shapes that can be included. Tribal rugs are usually woven with hand- spun wool from the sheep raised by the weavers themselves. The dyes used for the colouring are manufactured from the leaves and roots of regionally-grown plants and roots. City Persian Rugs

Unlike the Tribal Persian rugs, city Persian rugs are produced by people residing in cities, towns and villages. They are woven using a permanently-pitched loom in a stationary location that is permanently pitched. City or village rugs are more elaborate and contain a higher knot count, allowing for more intricate patterns. They usually have a cotton warp and weft, which enhances the stability of the rug and adds resistance to shrinkage.

City Persian rugs take longer to make, often involving complex designs that were sketched on paper by local artists. They are usually higher in quality than the nomadic tribal rugs with a more consistent shape. With more access to modern dyes, it’s easier to incorporate more hues into the weave, resulting in more colourful patterns.

Overall Appearance

There are certain characteristics that you can look for to determine whether the Persian rug is authentic and made with high quality standards.

Consistency in the weave. Inspect both the front and back of the carpet for flaws in the weave. (Flaws are usually more noticeable on the back.) Rugs with a consistent weave will lay more smoothly on the floor. If the carpet contains ripples, wrinkles or puckers when you lay it on the ground, recheck it for flaws.

Straight edges. The edges and ends of the carpet should be straight, with the same dimensions at both ends. The ends should be secured; if not, they will likely unravel during vacuuming or cleaning.

Fringes. If the carpet has fringes, they should be neatly cut and the ends secured tightly. Avoid rugs with fringes that are discoloured or made from fabrics other than cotton or wool.

Colour consistency. Even though there are usually many colours in authentic handmade Persian rugs, they should be consistent throughout the design. If there is a spot that appears darker, it could mean that the rug was mended or has faded.

Knot count. A variation in knot count among Persian rugs is normal. Tribal rugs have a lower knot count than city rugs. That doesn’t necessarily affect quality, only the weaving technique used. However, rugs with a more intricate pattern usually have a higher knot count and are more expensive than those with a more basic design or lower knot count.

Wool elevation. Rugs can have a low or high pile, depending on their placement and personal preference. Higher pile rugs are plusher, but they may attract more dirt and dust and be harder to clean. Low pile rugs are easier to clean and wear more evenly. Wool quality. Run your hand over the wool nap. It should feel smooth and slightly oily. All wool has lanolin as a natural lubricant in it. If the wool on the carpet is dry and brittle, it won’t last very long.

Design

An important aspect in buying a Persian carpet, like any piece of furniture or decoration, is its design. This is a personal choice for most. However, there are certain features and qualities that you should look for when choosing a design for your rug. Their meanings could have an impact on your final choice.

More intricate designs indicate a higher skill level and expertise on the part of the weaver. More intricacy usually means the rug was made by a reputable rug production company.

Iran is one of the oldest rug-producing countries in the world, so many of their designs are traditional and classic. Iran has also had limited trade opportunities with the Western world for decades, so their motifs feature Middle East elements like husks, pomegranates, ram’s horns, and trees. Also common are ancient symbols reflecting the signs of luck, fertility, and prosperity.

The rug design should be well-spaced, balanced and harmonious. It should reflect depth and clarity and have a sense of flow in the pattern. If these elements are missing, it may indicate that the weaver misunderstood the original design, which results in an end product that is not all that appealing.

No matter what the pattern is, every Persian rug design has a meaning and a story behind it. These stories could include regional battles fought, superstitions, love stories, leaders, religion and others. Frequently used designs include flowers, animals and birds. The most used elements within Persian rug design are the prayer arch and tree of life.

If a rug depicts the shape of a vase, it represents immortality. A weeping willow design represents death and sorrow.

If the centre of the rug has a medallion with a forest of flowers surrounding it, the design depicts either the garden of paradise or eye of a deity that sees it all. This design is believed to originate from the lotus flower, which is considered sacred. The design demonstrates how a flower blooms from its roots in dirt and blossoms, turning to heaven.

Every Persian-style rug is a unique piece of art. They each have subtleties and inconsistencies in their patterns. You will need to study these variables and choose the rug that truly makes you fall in love.

Colours

As with rug designs, colours used in your Persian rug are a personal choice. But be careful not to limit yourself unnecessarily. The colours in authentic handmade Persian rugs may not match exactly. The hand-spun, naturally dyed yarns used in weaving the carpets create subtleties in the colour, which cannot be accomplished through the use of synthetic dyes. They represent nature, which contains many hues and shades of the same colour. Trying to match colours perfectly will result in an artificial effect. Some colours are rarer, like Tyrian purple, saffron yellow, cochineal rose and particular shades of green.

It’s good to know what kinds of dyes are used to produce the colours within the Persian rug. They can be from all-natural dyes that come from natural plants, seeds and vegetables, or can be coloured using chemically-based dyes. Both can be used to produce durable and beautiful carpets; however, the all-natural dyes produce colours that are more traditional and result in a higher quality result. Knowing what types of dye is used will also help when determining how to clean the carpet.

Maintenance of Your Persian Carpet

When you buy any investment piece, you need to make sure you maintain it to keep its value. Persian rugs are like any other work of art and require some care and attention. However, if they are cared for properly, they will last for decades, unlike the more modern mass-produced carpets.

Rugs made with wool fibres are more durable; silk fibres tend to wear faster. Silk rugs are also susceptible to humidity and if they become wet and dry incorrectly the foundation will become dry and brittle and splits will begin to appear.

The older the rug, the more acceptable wear and tear is by collectors. If a rug has been over-restored, or not restored properly, it will have a negative impact on its quality and value.

You never want to use harsh chemicals to clean your Persian carpet. Keep it out of direct sun as much as possible to reduce fading. Moving furniture in the room occasionally also helps to even out the wear and tear.

Cleaning Your Persian Rug

Prevention is always key to keeping your carpet clean. Removing shoes when you enter the home will reduce the debris brought in from outdoors. In addition, walking on the carpets with bare feet or socks is gentler on the carpet than hard-soled shoes worn outside. Regular vacuuming (on both sides) keeps dirt and dust from becoming ground into the fibres. Use the light setting on most domestic home vacuum cleaners for this. Cleaning up spills when they happen reduces odours and stains.

Here are a few tips to determine if your Persian carpet needs cleaning,

Hold up a corner of the rug and kick the back of the rug sharply. If you see a significant cloud of dirt, the rug is dirty and needs cleaning. Keep in mind that some dust and wool fibres are normal, so don’t overreact.

Rub the pile vigorously with your hand back and forth for 5 to 10 seconds. The dirtier your hand is, the more the rug needs cleaning.

With the pile facing UP, fold part of the rug back upon itself so that the pile opens along a line of knots. Looking down into the base of the pile, if you notice that the warp and weft look dirty, there is dirt ingrained in the pile where a home vacuum cleaner cannot reach it. The rug should be cleaned.

You can clean your Persian rug at home if you have space to do so. The cleaning process works best if the rug is laid on a clean surface. It’s always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s guidance on cleaning the rug. Lift the corners of your rug to reveal the rug's label. Usually, on the label, it will have instructions on the safest way to clean your rug. Rugs can be made of silk, wool, cotton, or synthetic material and each requires a certain degree of finesse when cleaning. Cotton and wool rugs are generally more durable and easier to clean. However, if the label says “dry clean only”, it is not colourfast and should be cleaned only by professional oriental rug cleaners.

Storage If you need to store your Persian rugs for a period of time, it’s important to store them properly. If the carpet is made of silk, roll it with the pile on the outside, when puts less strain on the delicate foundation. Rugs made with other fibres should be rolled with the pile facing inwards. Never fold a carpet for storage! Doing so can cause it to crack over time.

Make sure carpets are stored in a dry, secure location. Check on them periodically to make sure they haven’t been exposed to moisture or pests. You can purchase bags specifically made for storing your Persian rugs. Choose Your Source Wisely

There are many companies selling rugs, including Persian carpets. Don’t get sucked in by a fly-by-night dealer who doesn’t know Persian rugs. You need to make sure that you are buying from a reputable source, like Bijan Exclusive Rugs in Sydney Australia!

Bijan is Sydney’s premier source for handmade Persian rugs. In business for over 25 70 years, Bijan has the knowledge and experience to provide you with the finest quality rugs at competitive pricing. We carry a wide selection of traditional, as well as modern rugs.

Every handmade rug Bijan sells comes with a “Certificate of Authenticity “, which certifies the rug as genuine and handmade, the place of origin, natural fibres used to weave the rug and the market value for insurance purposes.

We are your one source for the highest quality Persian rugs. We also pride ourselves in our superior customer service and fast delivery (within 24 hours if in the Sydney metro area). We offer additional services like, rug valuation and appraisal, professional cleaning and repair, and rug rentals.

Bijan offers free quotes on rugs and advice on choosing the right rug for you and your needs. They offer free, no obligation in-home trials for your rug purchases because they want to ensure your satisfaction.

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