The Arteverk Rug Encyclopedia · Weave Guide
Some rugs are made to be admired; the Heriz is made to be used. Bold, geometric and famously hard-wearing, it is the great workhorse of Persian design — a single strong medallion that anchors a room and shrugs off decades of foot traffic. Here is what a Heriz rug actually is, where it comes from, and how to tell a genuine one from an imitation.
A Heriz rug is a hand-knotted wool rug with a single bold, angular medallion on a sturdy geometric field — classically in warm terracotta, rust, ivory and navy. The design comes from the Heriz district in northwest Iran (Persia), and it is prized for being exceptionally durable. We carry genuine Persian Heriz woven in Iran, new Heriz-design pieces hand-knotted in Afghanistan, and machine-made versions — each labeled by its real origin and construction.
Where the Heriz design comes from
Heriz rugs are named for the Heriz district, a cluster of villages in northwest Iran (Persia), east of Tabriz near Mount Sabalan. The region's wool is unusually tough — local lore credits the mineral-rich water and mountain pastures — and its weavers turned that durability into a virtue, producing rugs built to last generations rather than to show off fine, delicate knotting.
The classic Heriz look is unmistakable: one large, angular medallion at the center, framed by sturdy corner spandrels and a field of stylized leaves and vines, all drawn in confident straight lines rather than flowing curves. Nearby villages like Karaja weave close cousins of the design. It is one of the most recognizable — and most collectible — of all Persian rugs.
What makes a rug a "Heriz"
One bold medallion
A single large, angular medallion anchors the center, framed by geometric corner pieces — architectural and instantly recognizable.
Warm, classic color
Terracotta, rust and brick red with ivory and navy are the signature, though softer, muted versions exist too.
Built to last
Tough Heriz wool on a strong foundation makes these among the most durable rugs you can buy — a true generational floor.
One of a kind
Each hand-knotted Heriz is woven by hand, so no two match. Small variations are the signature of a genuine piece.
Genuine, new, or machine-made — how Heriz is sold, honestly
Heriz is one of the most copied names in the rug world, so this is the section that matters most. The word "Heriz" describes a design, and you will find it on three very different kinds of rug. We carry all three and label each one for exactly what it is:
The three kinds of Heriz we sell
Genuine Persian Heriz
Hand-knotted in wool in Iran — the real thing, woven in its homeland. We label these Origin: Iran. One-of-a-kind.
Heriz-design (Afghan)
New pieces hand-knotted in Afghanistan in the Heriz tradition — the same hand construction and one-of-a-kind character, at a friendlier price. Labeled Origin: Afghanistan.
Power-loomed Heriz
Machine-woven with a Heriz design — a budget way to get the look. Not hand-knotted and not one-of-a-kind. Always labeled power-loomed.
On every product page, the Origin and Construction fields tell you exactly which you are looking at. We will never call an Afghan-made or machine-made Heriz a "Persian antique." That honesty is the whole point.
Six in-stock Heriz rugs
Each a single, hand-knotted, one-of-a-kind piece — labeled by its real origin.
The Carnelian Dell
One of a kind
The Saffron Cloister
Genuine Persian
The Hazel Grove
One of a kind
The Clay Arabesque
One of a kind
The Indigo Orchard
One of a kind
The Wheaten Fable
One of a kindHow to choose a Heriz rug
Decide what you want it to be
If you want a genuine Persian piece woven in Iran, look for our Origin: Iran Heriz rugs. If you love the look and want a new hand-knotted rug at a friendlier price, the Afghan-made Heriz-design pieces are wonderful. Either way you get true hand-knotted construction — just check the Origin field so you know what you are buying.
Lean on its toughness
Few rugs handle real life like a Heriz. The durable wool and sturdy build make it ideal for living rooms, dining rooms, hallways and homes with kids and pets — and the bold pattern hides everyday wear.
Size it to anchor the room
A Heriz medallion wants to be seen, so give it room: large enough that your furniture's front legs rest on it, with floor showing around the edges. Heriz also comes in beautiful long, narrow runners. See our rug size guide for room-by-room diagrams, and tell us your size — each piece is one of a kind, so we will hand-pick the closest options.
Caring for a Heriz rug
A hand-knotted wool Heriz is built to last with simple care: vacuum gently with the pile, rotate twice a year, use a rug pad, and blot spills immediately rather than rubbing. Our full rug care guide covers everyday care, spills and storage. When it needs more, we clean, restore and repair hand-knotted rugs by hand in Houston.
Why buy your Heriz from Arteverk
- Provenance stated plainly. Genuine Persian, Afghan-made or power-loomed — the origin and construction are on every page, so you always know what you are buying.
- Genuinely one of a kind. Each hand-knotted Heriz is a single piece. When it sells, it is gone.
- A real family behind it. The Malik family sources the wool, commissions the weaving, curates the genuine Persian pieces, and restores rugs by hand in Houston.
- See it before you commit. Visit the Houston showroom, or book a live video walkthrough from anywhere.
- Cared for for life. Hand cleaning, restoration and repair in-house.
Common questions about Heriz rugs
What is a Heriz rug?
A Heriz rug is a hand-knotted wool rug known for a single bold, angular medallion on a sturdy, geometric field — usually in warm terracotta and rust with ivory and navy. The design comes from the Heriz district in northwest Iran (Persia), and Heriz rugs are prized for being unusually hard-wearing. We carry genuine Persian Heriz woven in Iran, new Heriz-design pieces hand-knotted in Afghanistan, and machine-made versions — each labeled by its real origin and construction.
Are Heriz rugs Persian?
The Heriz design is Persian — it comes from the Heriz district in northwest Iran. Some of the Heriz rugs we sell are genuinely woven in Iran (we label them Origin: Iran); others are new pieces hand-knotted in Afghanistan in the Heriz tradition. We always state each rug's real origin on its page, so you know exactly which you are buying.
How can I tell a real hand-knotted Heriz from a machine-made one?
Check the construction. A hand-knotted Heriz is tied by hand, knot by knot, in wool, and is one-of-a-kind; a power-loomed Heriz is machine-woven with a Heriz design and is not one-of-a-kind. On every product page we state the construction plainly — hand-knotted or power-loomed — and never blur the two.
Why are Heriz rugs so durable?
Heriz wool is famously tough, and the rugs are knotted on a strong foundation with a substantial pile, which is why genuine Heriz rugs are known to last for generations and are a classic choice for busy living and dining rooms.
What colors and sizes do Heriz rugs come in?
Heriz rugs are classically warm — terracotta, rust and brick red with ivory, navy and soft blue accents, though softer and more muted versions exist. They run from small accent rugs and long narrow runners to large room-sized and oversized pieces. Because each hand-knotted Heriz is one-of-a-kind, sizes vary piece to piece.
Can I see a Heriz rug in person in Houston?
Yes. Arteverk is based in Houston, TX. You can see hand-knotted Heriz rugs in person at our showroom or over a live video call, and we clean, restore and repair hand-knotted rugs by hand in Houston.
Find your Heriz
Browse our hand-knotted Heriz rugs — genuine Persian and new Afghan-made — or tell us your size and colors and we'll hand-pick a few for you.
