How to Properly Care For Vintage Persian Rugs

If you’ve recently purchased a vintage Persian rug, you may be wondering how to properly care for it. In addition to being gorgeous, vintage rugs can often have a lot of history behind them, and the proper care will help preserve your investment for years to come.

Persian Rugs

There is no doubt that Persian rugs are one of the most timeless pieces of home decor available. Antique Persian carpets have a classic elegance that can’t be replicated and are a wonderful way to add color and texture to any space.

Vintage Persian rugs are typically hand-knotted with wool and cotton dyes, and they can take months and sometimes even years to complete. Their intricate designs and fine details make them the perfect choice for those looking for a unique accent piece that can transform the entire room.

When buying a vintage Persian rug, it is important to consider the age and condition of the carpet. The older a Persian rug is, the more valuable it will be. It’s also important to keep in mind that many older rugs feature motifs with pretty profound meanings, so the buyer should be familiar with the symbols and motifs featured on their rug.

Antique rugs are defined as those that were woven prior to the 1920’s and can be found in a wide variety of sizes and styles. From room size rugs in cities like Tabriz, Heriz, and Sultanabad to smaller runners and scatter rugs, there is an unfathomable range of designs and styles that are found throughout this category of Persian rugs. From semi-nomadic tribal motifs to imperial weaving traditions, the possibilities are nearly endless. These rugs are highly prized by connoisseurs and can be extremely emotionally satisfying for the owner.

Whether you prefer the formality of the Persian city rugs or the rustic charm of those made in small villages is a personal preference. Vintage Persian rugs are tagged with the region (city, district, town, or village) where they were produced. In some cases, they can be designated by the weaver’s name, such as the ever popular Serapi rugs.

The large Persian rug weaving centers of the 19th century created standardized designs that are easily identifiable today. Weavers were removed from the design process and given a pattern to follow which took away their creative input. This did not occur in the small villages where the actual weavers were the designers and artists of the rugs themselves.

Master weavers such as Ustad Zufilkhar Ed Din Mohtashem, Ziegler Sultanabad, and Aboul Ghasem Kermani created masterpieces that found their way into exquisite collections and museums around the world. These rugs are designed with a level of skill and quality that transcends the vernacular craft and elevates it to a conscious art form.

If you’re in the market for a vintage Persian rug, be sure to use our filter system to search for rugs that fit your specific dimensions. This will help narrow your options and save you a lot of time. Additionally, be sure to look at the back of the rug for any repairs as these can detract from the true value of a vintage Persian rug. If a rug has been repaired, be sure to ask the seller if they are willing to work with you to negotiate an acceptable price.