8' x 11' Persian Serapi Rug

Vintage Persian Rugs versus Persian Antique Rugs: What Buyers Should Know

 

Looking for a way to add incredible beauty and timeless style to your home? Whether you’re looking for a rug for the living room or to add warmth and class to the master bedroom, a Persian rug could be exactly what you need. 

 

Of course, you must learn how to navigate this area. You’ll find area rugs labeled as vintage and antique, but what’s the difference? Which of the many fine Persian rugs is better suited for your needs?

 

Antique vs. Vintage

 

First, let’s address the question of an antique rug versus vintage rugs. Technically, any rug labeled as “vintage” is between 20 and 80 years old. However, a Persian rug labeled as “antique” is over 80 or even 100 years old. So, vintage means that the rug is old, but antique means it is among the oldest examples of its kind.

 

Questions about Materials and Dyes

 

Genuine Persian rugs are stunning works of art. However, you’ll probably encounter similar-looking rugs that claim to be the real thing but aren’t. Understanding the materials, dyes, and crafting processes that go into making genuine Persian rugs can help prevent you from falling victim to these counterfeits.

 

Material

 

For a real Persian rug, wool is the material of choice in most cases. Whether you’re thinking of purchasing a traditional Persian rug in red, a Persian rug in blue and cream, rugs in teal, or a combination of different colors, authentic rugs are made with real wool. However, you will also find silk rug examples that include Persian knot patterns.

 

Manufacturing

 

These beautiful, timeless rugs are made by hand. Hand-woven rugs offer much better durability than machine-manufactured pile rugs, and they provide individual character only available with rugs hand knotted by expert craftspeople. 

 

Dyes

 

These classic rugs use only vegetable dyes. Organic dyes made from vegetables last for decades without fading and are nontoxic, unlike synthetic dyes used in manufacturing modern rugs. 

 

Knot Patterns

 

Knotted rugs offer eye-catching beauty and style, but did you know that knots are more than mere decoration? A hand-knotted rug will have more knots than a machine-woven rug. The more knots present, the longer the rug took to make, and the finer the craftsmanship with most fine rugs.

 

Names

 

You might be familiar with the category “Persian” or “oriental” rugs, but genuine fine rugs can be marketed and sold under many different names. These refer to different characteristics of the rugs, including their geographic area of origin, the pattern woven into them with hand-spun yarn, and the type of Turkish rug knot used around the border. Just some of the names you may encounter include the following:

 

• Gabbeh rugs

• Kashan rug

• Kilim rugs

• Heriz rug

• Bakhtiari rug

• Tabriz rug

 

How to Choose Your New Wool Rug or Silk Rug

 

Choosing between one-of-a-kind rugs can be challenging. Let your intuition guide you. Start with the colors of the room and your goal for the space. Do you want a hand-knotted rug that adds a sense of calm and peace? Do you want a dramatic centerpiece for the space? 

 

Next, choose the pattern that best suits your needs. How will it tie into your existing aesthetic? Knotted rugs can add a lot of detail to any space, but it’s easy to overwhelm them with other décor. Keep your space minimally decorated so that the rug becomes the focal point of the design.

 

Finally, make sure you work with a reputable retailer of one-of-a-kind rugs. The right retailer will offer fine rugs handcrafted in this ancient tradition that will last your family for centuries, becoming treasured heirlooms.

Beyond Basic Heriz Style: Serapi Rugs

 

While the Heriz rug style is very popular, Serapi rugs originate from the same region and offer some stunning differences. Are these fine rugs right for your needs?

 

Serapi rugs date back to the 1800s and are woven in the rugged mountains of northwest Iran (Persia). They are distinct to the Heriz region but differ from the traditional Heriz Persian rug in key ways. 

 

One of those is how they blend thematic and stylistic elements from different Persian rug traditions. You’ll find strong geometric patterns with these authentic rugs, as well as central medallions, the Tree of Life, and other elements more at home in the court of ancient Tabriz.

 

Many existing examples feature more rustic designs than other Persian rugs. However, some feature very intricate abstract designs.

 

Where some fine Persian rugs are predominantly one color, a Serapi rug can be equal parts of multiple colors. For instance, these hand woven rugs may feature rich reds, deep blues, bright gold, cool mint, and luscious creams all in the same piece, with the design picked out in contrasting colors across the entire carpet.  

 

As with all knotted rugs from Persia, Serapi rugs use vegetable dyes and are made using Persian knots (irregular rather than regular). That does mean you should avoid using chemical cleansers on them, however.

 

In terms of size, most classic rugs are room-sized and work best as area rugs. However, the vast range of colors and patterns on offer means that they can work with almost any type of décor or overall aesthetic. 

 

However, as with any wool rug, we recommend that these be placed in a low-traffic area to preserve their natural beauty and prevent damage. When cared for properly, they can last for generations to come.

 

Whether you’re looking for a conversation piece for the living room or a stunning work of art for the bedroom, these one-of-a-kind rugs have something to offer.

Handspun Yarns

Traditional Persian rugs are made using handspun wool rather than machine-spun wool. This requires more labor, but many feel that it is a better process because it is not as abrasive. It allows for the retention of more of the natural oils and fewer fibers are broken. Using handspun wool helps to ensure the rugs and carpets are more resilient and can last for decades without issue.

 

The wool used is called winter wool or long strand wool. It features more natural oil than other types of wool. Additionally, handspun wool tends to absorb more dye when loosely spun and less when tightly spun. This creates gorgeous variegation in the rug’s colors. Buyers who want a traditional rug will always opt for handspun.

Organic Dyes

Organic dyes are used in traditional Persian rugs for several reasons. First, vegetable dyes were the only option available when these rugs were first created. Before 1850, there weren’t other choices aside from animal or vegetable dyes. Even after synthetic options were available, traditional craftspeople often kept using pure organic dyes.

It’s a common misconception that organic dyes result in dull and muted colors. Anyone who has seen Persian carpets and rugs that use pure organic dyes can attest to their beauty and vibrancy. Craftspeople using organic dyes can create stunning colors including royal blue, earthy brown tones, and brilliant red. Just look at the variation of traditionally made rugs available today to get a sense of the colors.

Manual cleaning is recommended for these rugs and if your rug is heavily soiled or stained, you’ll need to have a professional cleaning for hand knotted rugs.

Kurosh Persian rugs  can guide you when it comes to caring for your new rug. We also recommend that you put them in lower-traffic areas of the home to preserve them as much as possible.

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