For the Love of Persian Rugs

HERIZ_210Antique Persian rugs were enjoyed both as décor and furnishings in historic Persia by the populace from the clerics to nomads to potentates. Modern day collectors can be driven by the value proposition of a Persian rug and or their decorative appeal.

If there is any question about the intrinsic value of a genuine Persian rug one only has to be reminded of the June, 2013 sale by Sotheby’s of a 17th century Kirman vase rug from southern Persia that sold for a record smashing $33.765 million.

Many of us will not be in the market for a rug with price tag of a significant fortune in the millions, however owing something of quality that will most likely hold its value through time and bring years of enjoyment to your home is still an achievable proposition.

Do you buy A Rug with your Head or your Heart?

Serious rug collectors and buyers do their research, can spend considerable time before making a purchase and know it can take up to at least ten years to see their investment bring a return of anything from 20 per cent to 100 percent. These collectors are in it for the investment and often the long haul. More people are most likely collecting rugs for the love of it as the purchase for investment sector are the minority in the global Persian rug business.

So how about the rest of us who do not have million dollar budgets to spend on a rug? Determining what is most important to you should influence your decision.

Are you attracted to owning a work of art that is a beautiful slice of history with a story to tell to adorn a living space? If so you are most likely going to let your heart be your guide when you purchase your Persian rug. The design of the rug will resonate with you have meaning for you and you are most likely making the purchase because you like the look and feel of the rug.

The material a rug is made from will also influence your choice with wool or cotton generally being at the lower end of the scale with a rug made from silk potentially pushing the price up.  If you love silk and must have a rug made from silk you can either buy a smaller rug or if you desire a large silk rug on a lower budget you may be looking at rugs that do not deliver the same quality made in China or outside of Iran.

The knot count of the rug you purchase will also influence the price. History tells us that the knot count of the rugs was just as important as the materials the rug was made of. Antique Persian rugs and silk carpet were frequently made with a knot count of 1,000 knots per inch that is significantly higher than the modern Persian carpets with a knot count between 16 to 800 knots per inch depending upon skill of the weavers and the materials used.

Keep in mind, when you are on your whirlwind holiday that a rug purchase in a local market may not be what you think you are buying.  If you want to have a bit of fun bartering for it and be willing to risk a low dollar purchase then go for it, however be prepared that it may end up in the family pooches kennel after the holiday ends.

If you are buying a rug with your heart and purely for the love of it, still important to consider is the space the rug will live in, the materials it is made of and if it can stand the test of time.  Regardless of your motivation when buying a Persian rug; with your heart and for the love or it or purely as an investment, Persian rugs offer another important buying proposition.

Being made by hand from sustainable, natural animal and vegetable fibers like cotton, wool and silk and traditionally having used natural dyes derived from insects, plants and minerals to dye the fibers, an antique Persian rug can be considered eco-friendly.  How valuable is that?

Persian Rugs – A Valuable Investment to Enrich Your Home

Sarouk_218For thousands of years, the term “Persian carpet” has been synonymous with beauty, mystery and magic. Persian carpets are possibly the most highly prized of all carpets, renowned throughout the world for their attractiveness, their high quality craftsmanship and their durability.

What Is a Persian Rug?

Persian carpets are carpets and rugs that have been manufactured in the part of the world now known as Iran. Seventy-five percent of the world’s handmade carpets come from Iran, and carpets are that nation’s largest non-petroleum export item. Approximately 1.2 million Persian weavers live and work inside Iran today.

Modern Persian rugs are most often made from wool. In traditional societies, however, a Persian rug might be made from wool or cotton or even silk if the customer could afford it. The knot count of traditional rugs was just as important as the materials the rug was made of. The knot count of modern Persian carpets varies between 16 to 800 knots per inch depending upon the materials and the skill of the weavers, but it was not uncommon for antique Persian rugs and silk carpet to have a knot count as high as 1,000 knots per inch.

Weaving a Persian rug by hand is a complicated process that employs a loom and often takes place over many months. Persian Oriental weavers employ a number of different rectilinear and curvilinear designs that have often been handed down within families for centuries although today’s weavers are likely to use sophisticated CAD software to plot their designs before they commence the weaving process.

How Did Persian Rugs Originate?

Carpets are made from perishable materials like wool, cotton and silk that deteriorate relatively quickly, so there are not many examples of carpet-weaving from the earliest times. The oldest Persian-style carpet on record was discovered in 1949 in the tomb of a Scythian prince in Siberia’s Pazyryk Valley. Carbon dating reveals the Pazyryk carpet dates from the 5th century BC. It is exceptionally well preserved and well made, indicating a sophisticated carpet-making tradition that goes back at least a thousand years. Many archeologists believe the Pazyryk carpet actually originated in Persia.

Cyrus the Great is widely credited with introducing the art of carpet making into Persia in 529 BC, following his conquest of Babylon where carpet making flourished. By the Islamic conquests of the 7th century AD, Persia was renowned for its carpets, and Persian cities paid their annual caliphate taxes in carpets. Smaller hand woven rugs became increasingly popular as prayer mats.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Oriental rugs in general and the Persian carpet in particular became phenomenally popular all throughout Western Europe.

Are All Oriental Rugs Persian?

Among some people, the phrase “Persian rug” has become a generic term used incorrectly to describe Oriental rugs that come from Turkey and other parts of Western Asia (the Middle East.) In addition to the geographical difference in point of origin, however, there are also slight differences in the way these two types of carpets are created: Persian carpets are tied with a single looping knot while Turkish carpets use a double looping knot.

What makes a Persian Rug “Antique?”

antique-sarouk_225The oldest existing antique Oriental rugs from Iran date back to the 16th century Safavid Dynasty in Persia. An antique Persian carpet, however, is considered to be one that was made before the use of synthetic aniline dyes became standard practice. Synthetic dyes began to replace natural vegetable and mineral dyes around 1930.

Rugs that have been made before the 1930’s can be considered an antique. Rugs that were made during the 1930’s – 1940’s are classified as semi-antique and old if the rugs were made during the 1950’s.  If you are purchasing a rug that was made after the 1960’s it will be classified as new.

What Is the Historical Significance of Antique Persian Rugs?

Antique Persian rugs were used both as furnishings and as decor by every class of citizen in traditional Persia from nomads to clerics to potentates. Antique Persian tribal rugs and carpet designs typically showcase design motifs from the regions where they originated.

Antique Persian rugs are both works of art and an investment, similar to paintings. Unlike paintings, however, whose value depends upon the reputation of an artist that can rise or fall over time, the value of an antique Persian carpet as a commodity always continues to appreciate. In June 2013, Sotheby’s sold a 17th century Kirman vase rug from southern Persia with a sickle-leaf, vine scroll and palmette design for $33.765 million.

The most famous of all Persian carpets are the two Ardebil Carpets, Tabriz-style rugs that originally lay on the floors of a mosque in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ardabil. These carpets were sold to a British rug dealer in 1890 who used them as a template to create endless copies. Interestingly enough, during World War II, copies of the Ardebil Carpets lay on both the floors of 10 Downing Street and Hitler’s office.

Are there Different Kinds of Persian Rugs?

qum_202Iranian carpets are classified according to size. Farsh or Qāli are living room rugs, sized 6 X 4 feet and larger. A Qālicheh is what might be called a Persian area rug, measuring 6 X 4 feet or smaller. Gelim are the pile rugs and flat weave kilims that originated as prayer rugs.

Geography is another means of distinguishing types of rugs:
Gabbeh rugs: Gabbeh are coarse pile rugs that originated traditionally in Persia’s mountainous Zagros area.
Qum rugs: Qum rugs come from the city of Qom, one of the holiest cities in the Shi’a Islam tradition, known for centuries as a center for high end silk carpet production.
Tabriz rugs: Tabriz rugs are manufactured in the northern Iranian city of Tabriz, which has been a carpet manufacturing center since the 12th century.
Shiraz rugs: Shiraz rugs are woven by tribal weavers near the village of Shiraz in the southwestern part of Iran.
Sarouk rugs: Sarouk rugs (sometimes called Sarough rugs), the most popular Iranian carpets among Western consumers, are manufactured in the countryside outside the city of Arak. They’re distinguished by their traditional floral motifs and their bright blue, red and pink colors.

Are Antique Persian Rugs Considered Environmentally Friendly?

Antique Persian rugs may be considered eco-friendly because they are made by hand from natural, sustainable vegetable and animal fibers like wool, cotton and silk. Antique Persian rugs also used natural dyes derived from plants, insects and minerals to dye these fibers.

How Did Persian Rug Makers Get Their Dyes?

The precise formula of the dyes that Persian carpet makers used to color their wool and other fibers were closely guarded secrets for centuries. They were generally derived from plant bases, crushed insects and mineral preparations.

The most popular hue for carpets was a red dye extracted from the root of the madder plant, also called Rubia tinctorum which grows wild outside Tehran and Yazd. The exact shade of red varied according to the alkalinity of the mordant and other substances, such yogurt and grape juice.

Another popular shade for traditional Persian carpets was blue, which was derived from the leaves of the indigo plant. Indigo did not grow wild in Persia and had to be imported from India, which accounts for the relative rarity of blue shades in Persian antique rugs.

Where Can I Buy Persian Rugs?

For years, the only place consumers could buy designer rugs and high quality carpet from Persia/Iran was through specialty rug or carpet stores or on trips when they traveled abroad to Iran.

These days with a myriad of beautiful  Persian carpets to choose from it is easy to buy high quality Persian rugs online at competitive prices. When you’re buying online you will be able to see photographs of the rugs you are looking at buying.

Persian rugs can be a beautiful enhancement to your home decor and a valuable investment that will last through time.

Is a Persian Rug a Good Investment for My Home?

Persian carpets, carpet runners and stair runners can be an excellent investment for your home.  In addition to the monetary value of your Persian rug you will be owning a piece of history and enhancing the decor of your home or even office environment. It is important to note that a machine woven rug does not carry the same value as an investment in hand woven rugs, hand knotted rugs or antique decorative rugs. Your carpet’s age, size, knot density, condition, whether it is made from hand spun or machine spun fibers, and whether it is crafted from aniline or natural dyes, will all determine the market value of your colorful rugs in the years to come.

 

Sarough Rugs

brilliant-sarouk_225Situated near Arak in west-central Iran, the village of Sarough is an important historic center with an esteemed name in carpet weaving for the well sought after Sarough rugs well known for supplying the demand of the American market particularly from the 1920’s -1930.

Also known as Saruq and Sarouk the village of Sarough is considered to be a very significant village for rug weaving with it’s much sought after antique masterpieces produced prior to 1900. With the impressive craftsmanship of the artisans and the high quality of the materials found in the antique rugs they have caught the attention of private collectors and museums alike.

Sarouk (also Sarough or Saruk) premium rugs are typically made with a cotton foundation and a pile of high quality vegetable dyed wool with the occasional use of a wool-silk mixture and even some goat hair can be found in the foundation at times. Using hand-spun wool from their sheep the weavers use the Persian asymmetrical knot and weave patterns in bold reds, burgundy and navy in striking designs including floral vines and curvilinear to make the sought after rugs ranging in size from mid to large. The Sarouk rugs are also recognized for their coral background and their durability to hold up through decades of wear.

Whether you are buying a Sarouk rug for the love of it or for an investment, the old Sarouk rugs have seemingly held their value through time and are on the best seller list for Persian rugs.

These talented weavers can be found creating the Sarouk rugs in workshop environments and the village and you can easily purchase your beautiful Sarouk rug online and have it shipped to you.

 

Hamadan Rugs – A Beautiful and Timeless Investment

hamadan_208Hamadan hand woven tribal rugs are produced in one of the several hundred villages in the Hamadan region.

One of the oldest cities in the world, the ancient and historic Persian city of Hamadan is situated in the rugged mountain area of north-western Iran, 300 kilometers west of Teheran. Although rug production does occur in the city of Hamadan, hence Hamadan rugs, fundamentally the town serves as a focal point of trading for all the other villages.  Some of the finest of the rugs are known and sold as Tuiserkan, Nahavand, Hosseinabad and Malayer with the other carpets being traded under the generic term Hamadan.

Producing a significant number of tribal rugs, the rugs from the Hamadan area are all handmade and are considered to last for extended periods of time largely due to the wool being spun from the more resilient sheep that populate the higher and therefore cooler altitudes. Silk is rarely seen in this region. Historically, before 1920, the carpets were tied on a wool warp, however, these days the carpets are all made on a cotton warp with one weft.

Modern-day rugs are colored with natural vegetable dyes with a myriad of colors from bold reds, yellows, rust, blue and green, to the more subdued colors of beige and salmon although generally the more contemporary Hamadans feature dark and strong colors. Soft brown colors from undyed camel hair can be found on older pieces from the region and today you will find carpets made after 1960 have a less fine wool and are frequently made with synthetic colors.

Many of the rug designs from the Hamadan area are strikingly geometric, also featuring floral, small animal and the well-known Herati designs. Hamadan rugs can also be found in a variety of sizes including very attractive area runners. Zaronim and Dozar measuring approximately 150x100cm and 200x120cm are the most common sizes.

Caroline Bosly author of “Rugs to Riches”, consider Hamadans to be a good investment for an antique rug and one that appears to increase in value with years.  You can still find a beautiful Hamadan at an affordable price. If it is not so important to own an antique you can also buy Hamadans that were made after the 1930’s at even more affordable prices.

In addition to owning one of these beautiful works of art for yourself an easy online purchase with shipping can make a gift with a difference for that special person in your life.

History of Hamadan Rugs

Hamadan rugs are carpets made in the foothills of Alvand Mountain, a peak in north central Iran that rises 1,850 meters above sea level. These carpets are known for their durability because the sheep from whose wool these carpets are woven have unusually thick fleece to keep them warm at high altitudes.

Where Do Hamadan Rugs Come From?

Three hundred kilometers west of Teheran lies the city of Hamadan, a metropolis so ancient that it’s mentioned both in the histories of Herodotus as well as in the Old Testament under its one-time name Ekbatana. The towns and villages surrounding Hamadan are famous for handicrafts that include ceramics, leather and Persian rugs.

Hamadan rugs are distinguished by their distinctive color palettes, which are dominated by indigo blue and bright red hexagonal or diamond-shaped design elements on ivory, red, blue or brown backgrounds. Design elements include geometric figures, floral designs, jagged lines and hooks. High end Hamadan carpets are manufactured from handspun yarns that have been tinted with natural dyes.

Older Hamadan rugs may frequently contain camel hair as well as sheep and goat wool. Silk is almost never seen in this type of Persian carpet although occasionally cotton threads may be incorporated into the rugs’ foundations.

What Is the Historical Feature of the Region?

Hamadan lies at the foot of a mountain pass that was part of the fabled Silk Road in ancient times. The city’s strategic location made it an attractive target for foreign invasions.

In the 11th century, Hamadan briefly became the capital of the Seljuq Empire. Though the city was all but destroyed three centuries later by the Mongol conqueror Timur, by the 17th century, it had risen again. During World War I, Hamadan was the scene of fierce battles between Russian forces and their Turkish and German enemies.

Are There Different Styles of Hamadan Rugs?

There are approximately 1,500 villages outside of Hamadan, each of which has its own characteristic style of carpet-weaving. Many villages specialize in producing two or more styles. Experts at the industry magazine “Rug News” estimate that there may be as many as 3,000 distinct Hamadan designs. Some of the best known designs are:

• Bibikabad: Bibikabad carpets are distinguished by the relative thickness of their wool, which makes these rugs more durable than other Hamadans. Their most common design element is a motif called the Herati, which incorporates floral forms within a diamond.
• Ingelas: Ingelas is a village to the southeast of Hamadan that was originally settled by Turkish immigrants to the area. Ingelas rugs use cotton warp and weft threads.
• Borchelus: Borchelus carpets come from the villages on the eastern side of Hamadan. Typically, they feature a central medallion on an ivory background. This medallion is often repeated on the four corners of the carpet.
• Dergazine
• Kabutarhang
• Husianabad

Are Hamadan Rugs Still Being Made in the Traditional Way in the Region?

Even today, many Hamadan rugs continue to be woven in the traditional manner by hand, although cotton is more often used for the warp and weft threads than it was several centuries ago. The carpets are still colored in the traditional manner with vegetable dyes.

Hamadan rugs are a good investment because of their durability and striking design. With proper care, your Hamadan rug will provide you with enjoyment for many years to come.

 

Gabbeh Rugs

gabbeh_211Looking for a luxurious rug rich in color, made from high quality wool and with a range of designs to suit any interior?

Gabbeh rugs are hand knotted by the nomadic Qashqai tribal weavers from Shiraz in southern Iran. Favoring bright colors for their own homes the early weavers were influenced by their environment making each carpet design unique. Featuring geometric patterns with a sporadic inclusion of an animal or human figure the weavers get the fibers used in their rugs from their own sheep and goats. When translated the word Gabbeh means unclipped referring to the weave that can also include Turkish knots with up to 100 knots per square inch.

Some rugs have color changes in the horizontal bands. This kind of color variation as with the occasional gray fibres in the natural woollen yarn is called abrash and that ensures that even if you buy two or more rugs no two are the same.

Nowadays , there are many rugs that are made in the style of the Gabbeh rugs with vibrant patterns and colors however they are often made in India or countries outside of Iran.  These rugs can still be of very high quality using beautiful wool fiber.

Being woven with high quality wool and loose piles the Gabbeh rugs tend to be very soft and thick and therefore will give you a very lavish feeling underfoot or when touched. A beautiful treasure to enhance any home or office!

Tabriz Rugs

tabriz-goldTraveling through north-western Iran you will come across the second largest city in Iran, the ancient city of Tabriz. Tabriz is home to the renowned weavers with their rug designs and colors that contribute to the diverse range of Tabriz rugs.

Historically a significant trading center down the silk route linking the Orient with Europe, Tabriz has been exposed to the cultural influences from different countries including Europe and it was a major center for art and learning during the fifteenth century.

Renowned as one of the oldest and most respected rug producers in the world, Tabriz has previously produced a centuries old rug taking the prize for the most expensive rug at an auction at the time and exceeding well over its estimated value and placing many Tabriz carpets at the high end of the international rug trade.

Tabriz rugs stand out for their unique shapes including octagonal, oval and on rare occasions diamond and even star shaped rugs can be found. Woven with a double weft generally on a base of fine cotton although occasionally on pure silk, the rugs feature intricate floral motifs, pictorials in the field and dramatic hunting scenes in rich reds, burgundy, navy and the more subdued tones of beige and pink. Varying from pastels to deep rich shades, the coloring of Tabriz rugs typically feature cream backgrounds and egg blue medallion designs with reds being terra-cotta or rust and the greens appearing pistachio or forest.

If you are looking for a change in the interior design of your home or office the choice of colors in the design of the Tabriz Rugs can complement and transform the mood of a room giving you and your environment a new lease on life.

Whether you are buying a Tabriz Persian rug for purely decorative reasons or for a functional purpose in your environment, a Tabriz rug is an exquisite and timeless masterpiece that will be a prized investment!

The Tale of Tabriz Rugs

tabriz_215A Tabriz rug falls into the standard category of carpets that come from Tabriz, the capital city in the East Azarbaijan Province. As one of the most ancient rug weavers, the capital has been known to create a broad array of carpets. Interestingly enough, Tabriz has some of the finest artistic designs, some of which include medallion, figural, pictorial, and 3-d shapes.

Some of the major producers include Alabaf of Tabriz, Miri Brothers, Galibafi Nassadji Tabriz, and several others. As some of the largest carpet producers in the world, and especially in Iran, many major traditions of artistic decoration are the result of beautifully adorned Tabriz Persian rugs.

The height of popularity for Tabriz rugs was between the 12th-16th centuries, and roughly two hundred masterpieces that belong to the golden period include what appears to be a hybridization of weaving and small paintings, and a high standard of craftsmanship is essential for their completion. Basically, the school of Tabriz is divided into two parts: Ardabil and Tabriz.

There are a myriad of carpets that were actually designed in Tabriz, some were flat weave, and others were pile design. The styles varied in terms of their composition and their attention to detail. From one generation to the next, these rugs were precious heirlooms, and most topics regarding their styles included ornamental patterns with color that consist of cream, blue, navy, or red.

The most common type of Tabriz rug falls under the name “Lachak turanji.” And in the middle, as well as the corners of the carpet, there are “turanji” and Persian triangles. As far as the turanji that resides in the center of the rug, the image symbolizes the moon. The lozenges that add to the overall appearance symbolize fish, which often rise to the surface of the water around midnight; at which point, they begin admiring the reflection of the moon and all of its glory. This image dates back as far as the 9th and 10th centuries, and many topics happen to be drawn by some of the best Oriental poets.

The Haris carpets are certainly worth mentioning, as they represent the connection to the village of Herez, which is just North East of Tabriz. These Haris carpets are quite unique in their appearance, as the commonality of details often is created on the foundation of the “lachak turanj,” which is created by the linear patterns and curves. In time, however, the patterns became serrated and dotted; therefore, an independent pattern was formed as a result. Typically, a carpet of this nature is woven from memory, and often a sketch is not necessary. Moreover, inhabitants of Haris have also produced an exceptional amount of flat-weave rugs, Kilims, and palases.

As far as Tree carpets are concerned, their actual composition is what makes them stand out from other designs. Often these carpets are under the title “Derakhti,” and in Afghanistan, they are known as “Bagghi.” Lastly, in Azerbaijan, the carpets are called “Agaily.” In most cases, at the center of these rugs are a series of trees and bushes, and in some cases, an entire cluster of trees can be found at the center. Every tree has a slightly different appearance, making sure to copy the previous one entirely.

Often the subject of many Tabriz rugs is the image of Omar Khayam residing next to his sweetheart. And often poetry is conveyed as part of the essence of the rugs, and it is the poetry of Khayam that permeates the presence with great force. Often entire verses and pieces from additional poets, namely Saadi, Hafez, Ferdosi, and others  can be found on the rugs.

A Tabriz rug is an artistic and poetic masterpiece that will enrich your home and give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

Qum rugs

qum_202Qum, situated in the south of Tehran is a holy city and pilgrimage site sacred to Iranians. Home to a weaving industry that does not share a long and ancient history like some of her neighbors, Qum can however boast the production of many outstanding masterpieces created with high quality materials including pure silk and with exceptionally high KPSI (knots per square inch).

Although Qum’s commercial rug weaving industry is relatively new with its roots in the early 20th century the exquisite craftsmanship of the local artisans who make the Qum rugs, superb silk and appealing designs can attract high prices. Patterns and styles vary including everything from hunting scenes and ancient historical patterns to pictorials. Colors can range from bold reds to the softer hues of beige and blue. Shapes and sizes vary considerably too, which can be an advantage for rug enthusiasts who may want a rug to fit in an unusual space. You can buy rectangle, oval, round and square in sizes from beautiful small prayer rugs to the even grander and more impressive palace sized.

A very special finish to the Qum rug is that you can find the weavers name woven into the border of many of the rugs.

Hand Knotted Rugs – Intricate Creations Weave Beauty through the Home

handknotted_230An exquisite handmade rug is easily identifiable by its beauty. While machine-woven creations are attractive, nothing compares to the unique look of hand knotted rugs. Styles that are typical of this type are Persian rugs and Oriental rugs. Hand knotted designs are prevalent in the Oriental rug design, which was the most popular type of rug to be found with knots created by hand. Certainly other styles are available, however for both the first-time purchaser and rug connoisseur, hand knotted rugs are preferred.

How are these intricate creations made?

Techniques used to create hand knotted rugs are very old, dating back several centuries. Some techniques may vary slightly by hand movement and method; usually these variances are personal preferences passed down from a former weaver to a family member or apprentice.

Rugs are made of a pile and base. The base consists of the threads running along the carpet’s length, while the pile is the visible thread part of the rug, used to create the attractive designs. These rugs are created using a loom or frame-like instrument and cotton and wool threads. Wool and cotton combinations are the most commonly-used method, but there are rugs made completely from one type of either thread.

Another type of rug is a rug made completely from silk threads thus making it more expensive. First, the cotton warp threads are constructed on the loom, followed by weaving of wool weft threads through them. One at a time, the weft threads are knotted to the warp. Using a small hook knife called a gallob, the weaver pulls the weft pieces through the warp. After completion of each row, a comb is raked across to ensure the knots are tight and brought together thoroughly, making the rug durable. This meticulous process must be completed until the entire rug is constructed. Loose or long threads are trimmed by hand with scissors.

Hand knotting normally involves three different types of knots. Depending on the type of pattern chosen and its complexity, the type of knot used will vary from one rug to the next. Also the type of knot used depends on the preference of the artist creating the piece. Persian knots are commonly used because they allow the flexibility to create complex designs. Most rugs that have various shapes and intricate details are made with a Persian knot. Also called a “Senneh” knot, the Persian knot is asymmetric. This means that the weft threads are open either to the left or right. To put into perspective the amount of knots used, some types of Persian creations may have up to 700 knots per inch.

Turkish knots, also called “Ghiordes” knots, are another style commonly used. This type of knot takes up more room per inch on the rug, meaning that there is less possibility to create an intricate design. These types of knots are thicker and yield a more plush result. The Turkish knot is symmetrical; wefts are wrapped around two warps, meeting together in the middle.

Similar to the Turkish knot is the Jufti knot. Their similarities are actually almost identical, except a Jufti knot wraps the wefts around four warps, as opposed to the traditional two warps used in a Turkish style. Although it is not as common a technique, Persian knots are sometimes expanded to wrap around four warps; the result is also called a Jufti knot. This type of knot was formed to save time and increase the number of rugs a weaver could produce.

Quality and price are lower in a Jufti-made rug, making it an acceptable choice for people who are not concerned about the lifetime of their new purchase. Because this style also creates an uneven look, the rug will wear oddly. For rugs purchased with the intent of long life, a Persian or Turkish knot style is preferred; normally the price will reflect the knot style.