A hand-woven Persian rug is not just a floor covering; it is also a precious work of art, elegantly and skillfully woven. But how can you distinguish an authentic hand-woven Iranian rug from a fake or machine-made model? In this article, you’ll learn 5 practical ways to identify an authentic Iranian rug.
1. Pay attention to the type of wool and raw materials. One of the most important signs of an authentic handmade rug is the use of high-quality wool and natural dyes. The wool used should be soft and supple, while fake rugs often use synthetic fibers and chemical dyes.
2. Examining the Hand-Tied Knots (Persian or Turkish Knots)
The Persian (symmetrical) knot is one of the distinguishing features of hand-made Iranian carpets. In authentic carpets, the knots are hand-tied and dense, while machine-made or semi-hand-made carpets use uniform, shallow knots.
3. Precision in texture and symmetry of designs
The designs of hand-woven Persian rugs are often unique and have a natural symmetry. If you look closely, you may notice subtle variations in the texture, indicating a traditional, non-mechanical texture. By contrast, machine-woven rugs are woven perfectly evenly and without any imperfections.
4. Examine the carpet’s back and weave density
The back of an authentic handmade carpet should clearly show knots and have natural irregularities. The weave density (number of knots per inch) of high-quality Iranian carpets is also very high, while the weave of imitation carpets is typically looser and less precise.
5. Test the Carpet’s Smell and Flexibility
**A genuine hand-knotted Persian rug typically has a natural scent from the wool and plant dyes, not the strong odor of chemicals. Additionally, when folded, the rug should have good flexibility and unfold easily, whereas synthetic rugs tend to be stiffer and drier.
Identifying a handmade Iranian rug requires precision and awareness. By examining the wool, Persian knot, pattern, texture density, and natural colors, you can be sure you are purchasing a high-quality, authentic rug. If you plan to purchase a handmade Iranian rug, always buy from reputable sellers and seek assistance from rug experts if necessary.