Learning About Persian Rugs

History

• Persian rugs have been around for more than 2,500 years. According to the American University, it is thought that Cyrus the Great, who ruled the Persian Empire in 529 B.C., introduced carpet weaving to his people. From 1499 to 1722, during the Safavid Dynasty, Persian rugs were at their peak, as carpet weaving had evolved greatly. During this time, the focus moved to larger scale rugs as well as commercial enterprise. Persian rugs began making another comeback by the end of the 19th century.

Making Persian Rugs

• Persian rug are traditionally hand-woven rugs that were originally made purely for personal use. Designs and weave styles were identifiable to specific villages or tribes within the Persian empire. Royal workshops were established to allow designers and weavers to create the best Persian rugs, using silver and gold thread to create more intricate designs. The more intricate the design, the more the rug was worth. Royal workshops produced higher quality rugs, with higher knot counts. For example, a silk Persian rug can contain more than 1,000 knots in a single square inch, making these rugs highly valuable.

Materials Used in Persian Rugs

• Traditional Persian rugs were made from a variety of materials. The materials used depended upon what the family or the weaver could afford. The Royal workshops produced rugs made from more expensive materials such as silk and high quality wool. Villagers often made rugs from cotton or other more affordable, often lesser quality, materials.

Famous Examples

• The Ardabil Carpet, located at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, is considered to be one of the best examples of a Persian rug currently on display to the public. The Ardabil Carpet was designed and handwoven during the Safavid Dynasty. At the time, the rug was deemed "too expensive" at a whopping 2,500 British pounds purchase price in 1892.