8' x 11' Persian Heriz 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.