Rug Encyclopedia · Persian Rugs
A Persian rug is an oriental rug hand-knotted in Iran — the deepest and most celebrated weaving tradition in the world, from fine curvilinear city rugs to bold tribal and village weaves. "Persian" names the country of origin; the design tells you the city or tribe. This hub is your map to every Persian rug we carry, and how to choose one.
What is a Persian rug?
A Persian rug is a rug hand-knotted from wool, silk or cotton in Iran (historically Persia), using the asymmetrical (Persian) knot that allows the fine, flowing, curvilinear designs Persian weaving is famous for. Every genuine Persian rug is made by hand, one knot at a time, so the pattern lives in the pile and reads clearly on the back. The name refers to the country of weaving — Iran — while the specific design tradition (Kerman, Tabriz, Heriz) tells you the city, region or tribe it comes from. At Arteverk, each rug's true origin is stated on its page; look for Origin: Iran to confirm a genuine Persian piece.
City, village & tribal — the three kinds of Persian rug
- City rugs — the finest, most detailed Persian rugs, woven in workshops from cartoons: Kerman, Tabriz, Kashan, Nain. Curvilinear medallions, dense floral fields, high knot counts.
- Village rugs — bolder, semi-formal weaves from settled villages: Heriz, Bijar, Hamadan, Sultanabad. Geometric medallions, sturdy construction.
- Tribal rugs — woven from memory by nomadic and pastoral weavers: Gabbeh, Bakhtiari, Lori. Spontaneous, symbolic, one of a kind.
Explore Persian rugs by origin
Each Persian weaving centre has its own in-depth guide — history, motifs, how to identify it, and how to choose one:
Shop the full Persian collection, or browse the complete rug encyclopedia.
The Persian knot & how Persian rugs are made
Persian rugs are hand-knotted on a cotton or silk foundation, most often with the asymmetrical (Persian, or Senneh) knot, which wraps around one warp thread and passes loosely behind the next — ideal for the fine, curved lines of floral and medallion designs. Knot counts range from a few hundred per square inch in village rugs to well over a thousand in fine city and silk rugs. Learn the detail in our how a rug is made and knot count guides.
Classic Persian motifs
- Medallion — a central sunburst or lobed medallion on an open or floral field; the signature Persian city layout.
- Herati (mahi / "fish") — a repeating diamond-and-leaf motif; the most widespread Persian all-over pattern.
- Boteh (paisley) — the teardrop seed-and-flame of fertility and life, from tribal to city rugs.
- Tree of life & garden — pictorial and paradise-garden designs symbolising eternal life.
Hand-knotted vs machine-made — labeled honestly
A genuine Persian rug is hand-knotted in Iran, one knot at a time — durable, repairable and one of a kind. Machine-made and power-loomed rugs can copy a Persian design but are woven by machine and are not true Persian rugs. At Arteverk, hand-knotted Persian rugs are the heart of what we do, and any power-loomed piece is always labeled power-loomed — the Construction and Origin fields on every product page state exactly what it is.
How to choose a Persian rug
Work in three steps: size, palette, then origin. Measure your room and choose a size that anchors the furniture — our rug size guide gives the exact method, and Arteverk carries sizes from scatters and runners to oversize and palace pieces of 12'×15' and larger. Pull a color from your scheme (browse by red, blue, ivory). Then choose the tradition — fine and formal (Kerman, Tabriz, Kashan) or bold and characterful (Heriz, Gabbeh, Bakhtiari).
Caring for a Persian rug
A hand-knotted Persian rug lasts generations: vacuum gently with the pile and never the fringe, rotate every 6–12 months, use a rug pad, and blot spills immediately. Have it professionally hand-washed by a wool-rug specialist every few years. Our full rug care guide covers everyday care, spills, moths and storage.
- Genuine, origin-stated pieces. Our Persian rugs are predominantly hand-knotted in Iran, with each rug's real origin stated on its page — the collection the trade has relied on for fifty years, now direct to you.
- Real makers & curators. The Malik family — third-generation weavers and curators who commission, curate and restore hand-knotted rugs.
- The exact piece you see. Every hand-knotted rug is photographed as the single, one-of-a-kind rug you'll receive; any power-loomed piece is labeled plainly.
Find your Persian rug
Browse our hand-knotted Persian collection, or tell us your size and colors and we'll hand-pick a few one-of-a-kind pieces for you.
Frequently asked questions about Persian rugs
What is the difference between a Persian rug and an oriental rug?
All Persian rugs are oriental rugs, but not all oriental rugs are Persian. "Oriental" covers the whole hand-knotted tradition from Turkey and the Caucasus through Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia; "Persian" refers specifically to oriental rugs hand-knotted in Iran.
Are all Persian rugs made in Iran?
A genuine Persian rug is hand-knotted in Iran (historically Persia). Rugs woven elsewhere in a Persian design are "Persian-style," not true Persian. At Arteverk each rug's real origin is stated on its page — look for Origin: Iran.
How can I tell if a Persian rug is authentic and hand-knotted?
Check the back — the pattern shows clearly and individual knots are visible on a hand-knotted rug; a uniform, gridded or glued back means machine-made. Look for natural-dye abrash, hand-spun wool, and a fringe that is the warp itself, not a sewn strip.
Which Persian rugs are the most valuable?
Fine city and silk rugs (Kerman, Tabriz, Nain, Qum) and documented antiques command the highest prices, driven by knot density, drawing quality, wool and dye quality, age, provenance and condition — the same factors on our Rug Value Ladder.
What size Persian rug do I need?
Match the rug to the room so it anchors the furniture — usually 8'×10' or larger for a living room. Arteverk carries sizes from scatters and runners up to oversize and palace pieces of 12'×15' and larger. See the rug size guide.