How to Tell an Authentic Persian Carpet From an Industrially Knotted One

 Persian Carpets  are a type of rug that originated in the country of Iran. They have a long tradition and are known for their beautiful designs and colors, making them ideal for any home or office.

Authentic Persian Carpets are hand-knotted by artisans using their own traditional techniques, and they come in many sizes. Some are made with a combination of wool and silk fibers for extra softness. The best quality rugs are 3mm to 6 mm thick and feature dense knots.

How to Tell an Authentic Persian Rug from an Industrially Knotted one

The earliest-known knotted carpet is the Pazyryk carpet, which was discovered in Siberia in 1949 and dates back to the 5th century BC. This is a significant find because it shows that the art of rug weaving has been developed over the centuries, and that Persian carpets are a highly skilled, refined and sophisticated piece of artwork.

A Genuine Persian Rug Should be Handknotted

The process of creating a hand-knotted Persian Carpets  begins with an artist designing the rug. They draw up a pattern and then treat and dye the silk or wool. Once the foundation is created, weavers attach warps to a loom's wooden beams and tie wefts horizontally over and under them. The wefts are then twisted into tight, woven shapes called "knots."

After the knots are made, weavers shave and wash them. Then, they inspect the rugs for any imperfections. Some common imperfections include: uneven pile, a ragged texture or holes and seams in the weave.

Another important sign of an authentic Persian rug is the use of natural dyes. Earlier artificial dyes, especially aniline dyes, were unsuitable for rug yarns and could easily fade after several years of use.

Some antique Persian rugs are made with chrome dyes

Some antique Persian rugs are made with chrome dyes, which are more resistant to fading than the earlier natural dyes. These rugs are usually more expensive than those crafted with natural dyes, but they are worth the investment if you want a high-quality rug for your space.

These rugs are often the most expensive in the world and represent a time when master weavers had complete freedom to express themselves. Their motifs are based on classical Persian patterns, but they are much more flexible and edgy.

They often feature flora and fauna motifs as well as landscape designs with mountains, fields, trees and lakes. They also have curved line quality and more complex color combinations than Oriental rugs.

Throughout the centuries, Persians have had different periods of dominance over their country, and these influences have been reflected in their carpets. During the Safavid Dynasty, carpet weaving peaked and Isfahan, the capital of Persia, became a major center for the production of these works of art.

In the 17th century, the Afghans invaded the country and destroyed Isfahan. But this did not stop Persian craftsmen from producing magnificent pieces of work that have become famous around the world.

Conclusion

Persian rugs can be found in museums and private collections all over the world, and they have even been a featured topic of conversation amongst some of the most prominent artists and writers in history. In the 16th century, aristocrat and jewellery expert Sir John Chardin wrote about them in his book on art and fashion, while Virginia Woolf's gender-bending hero Orlando is known to have owned some of these finely woven pieces.