The Priceless Persian Carpets That Are Becoming Rare Today

by Sanjeev Yadav SEO Consultant

According to Marika Sardar of New York University, the history of Persian carpets is steeped in the needs of the times. The carpets were manufactured to restructure the economy of the country of its origin. It was also manufactured to attract European businessmen to do business in their country with the hope of reviving the economy. This initiative was taken up by Shah Abbas who ruled from 1587 – 1629. But history varies from source to source so many stories are associated with its origin.

Why Are Persian Rugs Becoming Very Expensive?

There is a saying that a real Persian carpet is a real treasure and this stands true today when the carpets are increasingly becoming rare. The causes of their rarity are many. Today mass production of carpets is the new trend in the industry and it is ruling the industry also. So the handmade Persian carpets are increasingly being phased out for the machine-made carpets. They do not have the essence of the original Persian carpets.

Another very important reason is that the craftsmen are dwindling out in numbers and there are practically none left to continue with the tradition. Every hand-made carpet was a reflection of their skills that was the very reason for its popularity.

The Various Types Of Persian Carpets

Many varieties of Persian carpets are known by the names of the regions in which they are manufactured. Some of the most popular types of Persian carpets are:

• Abadeh – known for the hexagonal centre medallion

• Ardebil – rugs that can be used daily and are very affordable

• Afshar – made by the nomads with their straight-lined patterns

• Bakhtiar – carpets having garden motifs

• Bidjar – Kurdish style carpets are known for their firm pile

• Gabbeh – very simple and elegant rugs made by the nomads

• Ghashghai – reddish-brown carpets with horizontal looms

• Qom – luxurious carpets made from natural silk

• Hamadan – various colours and patterns from Hamadan

• Heriz – have large and elaborate central medallions

• Isfahan – collector’s pride and collection

• Kerman – carpets with floral patterns

• Kashan – having a far-reaching tradition

• Koliai – very strong and durable carpets made by the Kurds in Iran

• Mashhad – with different designs

• Moud – having the garden motifs that are well known to Herati tradition and culture

• Nahavand – made in red and blue colours

• Nain – the best and finest of all known carpets

• Senneh – rugs with geometric patterns

• Shiraz – made by the nomads from old Shiraz

• Tabriz – having a central medallion with different qualities

How To Identify Genuine Persian Carpets?

There are many tricks of the trade and if you know you will be able to tell whether a carpet is genuine or fake. You have to look at their uniqueness (the carpet that is made piled once will not be repeated in size or quantity. So if you find various sizes and quantities of the rugs you will know that they are not original), their symmetry, fringes, knot structure, material, knot density and pile thickness. Before buying Persian carpets even from the best Persian Carpet Suppliers in India, you must look out for these things to identify genuine carpets, though your chances of getting cheated are non-existent in such cases.

The Materials From Which Persian Carpets Are Made

While closing it would be worthwhile to mention here that there are many materials from which Persian carpets are made. They are found in materials like wool, silk and cotton. They are coloured from natural and vegetable dyes that are harmless. The material is dyed before the knotting process begins. So you can see they are very valuable and precious.