Persian & Oriental Rug Guide

New to hand-made rugs? This short guide explains what you are looking at, so you can buy with confidence.

Persian vs. Oriental

Persian rugs are hand-made in Iran (historically Persia). Many are named for the city, village or tribe where they were woven, such as Heriz, Tabriz or Kashan. Oriental rugs is the broader term for hand-made rugs from across Asia, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, the Caucasus, China and Tibet. Every Persian rug is an Oriental rug, but not every Oriental rug is Persian.

City, village and tribal rugs

City rugs (Tabriz, Kashan, Qum, Kerman, Isfahan) are woven in workshops from detailed drawings. Expect fine knotting, curving florals and precise medallions.
Village rugs (Heriz, Hamadan, Bijar, Malayer, Mahal) are woven from memory. They are sturdier, with bolder, more geometric designs.
Tribal rugs (Baluch, Shiraz/Qashqai, Turkmen, Gabbeh) are made by nomadic weavers. They are spirited, colorful and full of personality.

How rugs are made

Hand-knotted: each knot is tied by hand onto the warp threads. A room-size rug can take months to weave. These are the most durable and valuable rugs.
Flat-woven (kilim, soumak): no pile; the pattern is woven into the rug itself. Light, reversible and casual.
Machine-made: made on power looms, often from synthetic fibers. Affordable and easy to care for.

Know your designs

Medallion: a central motif, often with matching corners.
All-over: a repeating pattern with no single center.
Geometric: angular, stylized motifs typical of village and Caucasian weaving.
Floral: vines, palmettes and flowers.
Pictorial: animals, trees of life, figures and scenes.

New or vintage?

New rugs have crisp colors and full pile. Vintage and pre-owned rugs have softened colors and a lower, polished pile that many people love. A well-made rug often looks better with age.