Silk Persian rugs are hands down the most expensive area rugs on the planet. You can find them in many shapes, sizes, styles, designs, and color combinations, but their expensive prices will always remain consistent. That is of course if the carpet has been handmade and naturally dyed. If you silk Persian rug is made of synthetic dyes it will depreciate over time as it will not be an antique item. It’s important that when you’re in the market for a silk Persian rug that you’re certain of its authenticity, there are loads of imitations out there from people just looking to make a buck.
Silk Persian rugs feature a unique blend of domestic and international interests. They have been around for centuries and Iran, formerly referred to as Persia, was the milestone for these creations. Iran was the first country to create these luxury carpets; in fact, they have been around since the 5th century B.C. During this time, the oldest silk Persian carpet known to man was found in the Pazyryk valley covered in ice. The rug was conveniently named Pazyryk and it was discovered by the Russians.
Silk Persian area rugs are one of the truest Iranian art forms with an incredibly rich history. Their designs have been mastered over thousands of years with various weaving and design techniques being passed down from one generation to the next. Not only do they carry so much history, class, and culture, they are the oldest type of Oriental rug on the planet and a way for artisans to express their inner beauty. They represent the most distinguished manifestation of Iranian culture that dates all the way to ancient Persia.
These carpets have been around for over 25 centuries and are the gold standard in rug making. They are a well respected art form used to express feeling, relay stories, depict deeper meaning, reveal identity, and as a representation of certain tribes and origins. Silk Persian carpets are named after the city in which they were created. Places that are closely associated with these carpets include Khorasan, Kordestan, Kashan, Hamedan, and Azarbaijan. In the late 19th century, businesses in the United States and Europe launched and tried to control a portion of the Persian area rug market however they failed to successfully streamline the weaving process into their factories. Labor costs were also much higher thus severely diminishing profits.
In recent years, silk Persian rugs took a hit to their reputation and valuations because certain areas were copying other areas designs. These carpets were also devalued by the use of synthetic dyes that were introduced into the industry 40 years ago. Natural dyes were reintroduced in the 1980s which helped resurrect their popularity. In the 1990s, silk Persian rugs were being produced both naturally and synthetically and flooding the market. This almost caused Iran to lose their handle on the market.
Nowadays, natural dyes are what everybody is after however they’re not nearly as prevalent as other rug styles. Today’s silk Persian rugs are better quality than they’ve been in the past six decades and have increased in cost by nearly ten times! As the supply grows thinner, prices shoot up. The harder they are to find the more you’re going to have to pay. Plus, there are now regulated laws that prohibit the use and importation of chemical dyes.
Decorating with silk Persian rugs
Ever since day one these carpets have been hand-knotted and they were initially used for protecting against poor climate. They eventually gained popularity with kings and noblemen and slowly evolved into a luxury decoration. Way back when, the rich are said to have lathered their private chambers in these luxurious carpets. Nowadays, silk Persian rugs are a hot commodity commonly paired with wealth. You can find them in palaces, museums, luxury homes, high-end buildings, and showrooms.
Decorating today is a little bit different. There are a variety of styles available and you can certainly find one that’s suitable for any setting. The natural dyes give them a bright color that can bring your home to life. Since they are so expensive it’s best to keep the away from heavy traffic areas like doorways or entryways of any kind. Often the best rooms to put them are upstairs, do your best to keep them from the main floor. The last you need is to have your carpet damaged by pets, children, or muddy shoes.
How are silk Persian carpets made?
First off, the majority of Persian rugs are made of a cotton-wool or silk-wool blend and feature one of three patterns; all-over, central medallion, and one-sided. The weaving process is not as complex as one would think but they can take 12-18 months to make from scratch depending on the size. The complexity of the rug design will determine where the artisan will start. Artists create designs and only the best ones make it into production. If it’s a large, detailed design with various motifs, it will first be structured to scale on graph paper with its proper colors and then handcrafted into a carpet. If it’s a simple design with minimal color tones the craftsman will do everything free hand starting immediately on the rug
To hand-knot a silk Persian carpet, knot the fibers and tie them around the warp threads. The two ends of the knot form the rug pile while the other side is part of the backing. The horizontally weft threads are kept sturdy on the knots by manually beating them down with a flat surfaced tool like a hammer. A knife is used to snip the excess yarns as the knots are tied. As the project is completed, shears are used over the surface of the rug to trim away uneven pile. Rest assured that your hand knotted silk Persian rug is never going to look the same as another. All of them are 100% unique because they are impossible to perfectly replicate.
Best of all, since they are antique items they will actually appreciate over time. If you are on the fence about making a purchase, think of it as an investment. If at any point you need to, you can sell it off and make a profit provided you have properly cared for it…
How do I clean my silk Persian rug?
Like anything, you need to properly maintain and care for your silk Persian rug if you want it to last. It is not recommended that you clean it manually rather you should hire a cleaning a company and have it done professionally. We can’t recommend any specific service because it will depend on your location but we can help you find one. Take a quick look either online, in your local classifieds, or in the phone book. Persian carpet cleaning is big business so you will most definitely be able to find something!
How much do silk Persian rugs cost?
They are expensive carpets as you already know but the cost will be determined by a few things. The complexity of the design will influence the price along with the size, colors, and the weaving structure. The overall quality of the rug is measured by the knot count and the dyes used. The average silk Persian rug has a knot count of 350 knots per square inch. Anything higher than that and you know what you’re getting is of utmost quality and anything lower will be much more inexpensive. Since synthetic dyes will actually disqualify the Persian rug as an antique, they will severely devalue the rug price. All natural dyes are where you’ll be hit with a hefty price tag.
How do I spot a fake silk Persian rug?
You can tell which styles are authentic because they will have floral patterns, wavy lines, and a huge variety of design. Rarely will you come across and simple, non-decadent silk Persian rugs. Also, be sure that it was manufactured with all-natural dyes and not synthetics. Only the most experienced rug master can distinguish a real from a fake using only his naked eye, so don’t feel bad if you can’t decide. If the situation ever arises where you are unsure, please have it taken to get appraised and a rugs dealer near you. They will be able to take a quick look at it for a minimal charge and give an honest consensus.