Genuine Oriental carpets: A piece of valuable craftsmanship

A man and woman are sitting on an Oriental carpet, surrounded by a variety of oriental rugs.

Today, carpets are mostly produced by machine, which makes them significantly different from handcrafted pieces. Handcrafted Persian rugs achieve an extremely high knot density, which considerably extends their lifespan and clearly reduces their susceptibility to dirt compared to their machine-made counterparts. The centuries-old craft of carpet weaving is one of tranquility and calm, of a precise eye and attention to detail. This, of course, comes at a price, as some rugs from the Orient can take over a year to weave. Furthermore, rising wage and material costs lead to higher retail prices. Yet, this is precisely why a genuine Oriental rug is a good investment. You can find out more here. In the lexicon for Oriental rugs, you will find all the important differences between machine-made carpets and hand-knotted Oriental rugs.

Oriental rugs in vibrant colours and patterns at a traditional bazaar.

The History of the Oriental Rug

Many hundreds of years ago, nomadic rugs began to be made for everyday use. In their tents, they used these as blankets, wall hangings, or seating. The craft of carpet weaving has its origins in pre-Christian times in the East.

Over time, carpets were hand-knotted in almost all countries of the ancient world, serving both as status symbols and for everyday use. It was not until the Middle Ages that these valuable carpets made their way to Europe, where they could be found in the homes of wealthy merchants or the palaces of rulers.

Even today, Persian and other Oriental rugs are considered precious goods that are worth their price. For instance, an old Persian rug from Keshan , a carpet provenance in Iran, was auctioned at Christie’s for an astonishing seven million euros.

How is an Oriental carpet made?

Oriental Rugs are hand-knotted on looms and differ significantly in quality and lifespan compared to industrially manufactured carpets.

Broadly speaking, there are two types of Oriental rugs: knotted on vertical frames and woven on horizontal looms. The former are intricately knotted by hand. In this process, warp threads are introduced lengthwise and weft threads are added crosswise.

The knotters then tie their knots around the warp and weft according to the style, creating the desired pattern. Those who wish to learn more about this technique will find a wide selection of hand-knotted rugs in our range.

In contrast, Kelims are flat-woven on horizontal looms. These rugs, made by nomads, are generally coarser and significantly flatter in their construction and look the same from both the front and back, allowing both sides to be used.

Where do Oriental carpets come from?

Oriental rugs come from across the Orient as well as China. The finest are produced in provinces of Iran. From there, the most renowned and arguably highest quality Persian rugs originate. World-famous examples include Isfahan , Keschan and Nain . However, expensive rugs also come from other regions.

Hand-knotted Oriental rugs are globally known and appreciated for their durability. Hand-knotted rugs are significantly more valuable than their industrially produced counterparts. For the layperson, it can be somewhat difficult to discern whether a rug has been hand-knotted.

At Nain Trading you will find only hand-knotted original products, so you need not worry about purchasing a "fake." As a traditional family business, there is direct contact with the rug weavers, providing precise knowledge of the origin of each individual rug.

Orientally dressed men examine an old map.

Detail of a handwoven carpet at the loom with visible warp threads and traditional patterns.

The materials of authentic Oriental carpets

In earlier times, carpet weavers used regional wool sourced from their own flocks of sheep. Nowadays, imported wool is also used. Naturally, there are significant differences in quality.

Particularly fine carpets are made from merino wool, which is very soft and comes exclusively from the neck region of sheep. In simpler carpets, cotton is also used alongside sheep's wool. Very high-quality carpets, on the other hand, are often made from silk.

Rare silk carpets from the Iranian region of Ghom are famous, fetching high prices and leaving true connoisseurs in awe.

The patterns and colours

There is a wide variety of motifs and patterns on Oriental rugs. Traditional patterns are ornaments or floral and geometric representations, which are knotted in an allover design and bordered by a trim. Classic central medallions are also quite common.

There is an almost endless array of patterns and colours that adorn Oriental rugs. The weavers are limited only by their imagination. Some of the most well-known patterns include the Herati pattern – a diamond enclosing a rosette – or the Boteh pattern, which resembles a curved almond.

The entire spectrum of colours can be found on Oriental rugs. Traditionally, red, blue, and beige tones are common. Genuine rugs from the Orient are dyed using elaborate methods with natural materials. Synthetic dyes can be found in cheaper variants and have less colour depth.

Thus, handmade and original Persian rugs not only have an unbeatable lifespan, but also a wonderful and exciting colour depth.

Woman in a white dress lying on oriental carpets with intricate patterns.

How do I recognise a genuine Oriental carpet?

Pay attention to trustworthy dealers and certificates. Additionally, examine the carpet closely. Are there any flaws? If so, this indicates a genuine Oriental carpet. Industrially produced carpets are usually flawless.

Furthermore, the cheaper carpets from the industry have fringes sewn at the ends. Another indication of authenticity is variations in width of a carpet. Genuine Persian or Oriental carpets that are hand-knotted show visible differences along their width. This is simply due to the handwork that extends over months.

Moreover, a look at the back of a carpet reveals much about its quality. In hand-knotted carpets, one can count the number of knots per square metre. This measurement can determine the fineness, as well as the effort and thus the value of an Oriental carpet.