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The historical Southwest Asian known as Persia was famous for its luxurious woven goods as well as intricate metalwork and breathtaking architecture.
August 22nd, 2022
History of Persian rugs
Persian rugs are traditional Iranian woven carpets or rugs with iconic stylized imagery often depicting historical monuments, Islamic buildings, features of the natural world, moments within daily life, culturally significant trees such as the Tree of Life, and religious imagery like the Garden of Paradise. Persian rugs are known for their intricacy, with extreme detailing often made by hand. They can be crafted from a variety of materials which will influence how difficult they are to weave.
The most common material used to create a Persian rug is wool. For a hand knotted Persian rug, it usually takes up to five months and four weavers working together to complete. The best wool is sourced from New Zealand, giving rugs a soft and plush texture. Many luxury modern Persian rugs will use a combination of wool and silk fibres. Silk and cotton is a lightweight material which is also used to weave luxury Persian rugs. Because the rugs are lighter, it takes longer to weave the designs together – making silk and cotton rugs more expensive than wool.
There is no particular distinction between Persian rugs and Persian carpets. Persian carpets first began to gain global popularity during the 16th Century, reaching its peak throughout the reign of the Safavid Dynasty. There are approximately 1,500 surviving examples of ancient Persian rugs around the world, maintained in museums or private collections.
Modern Persian Rugs
Persian rugs are still very popular today. They are recognised across the globe for their durability in both wear resistance and colour. The rich, bold colours of a Persian rug remain bright for decades and can even last a century if well cared for. The texture of a Persian rug is highly cavorted as it is soft underfoot and imbues a feeling of opulent comfort. Persian rugs remain a symbol of luxury even now in the modern era due to their timeless allure.
Whether they are used to accentuate a mid century modern home décor or create a contrast within a contemporary colour scheme, Persian rugs have graced the floors of every dwelling imaginable, from the red carpets of movie premiers to the décor of an average modern home.
Persian rugs are quite expensive. They are usually handmade and take a great deal of time to produce. However, their durability and beauty speaks for itself. If you are really hoping to find a cheap Persian rug, try to search for authentic rugs on second hand websites rather than a machine produced synthetic rug – trust us, you’ll notice the difference. Persian rugs are rugs for life; so here are a few trusted realtors to help you narrow down the search.
10. Esmee Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Where to buy: Pottery Barn AU
Price: $748.95 (on sale)
Link to purchase: here
This intricate green Persian rug was hand-knotted from 100% wool using centuries-old techniques. The dye used is a vibrant, long lasting product which will keep the soft blues and greens of the rug bright for many years to come. A calming tapestry, this authentic Persian rug is well suited to quiet areas such as a reading nook or bedroom.
09. 160cm x 160cm Washable Renaissance Square Rug
Where to buy: AU Rugs
Price: $209
Link to purchase: here
For a cheap option which achieves a similar affect, consider this spring green oriental woven rug by AU Rugs. This Persian style rug is made of polyester with a cotton backing foundation, hence its affordability, but rest assured that you are still purchasing a high quality rug.
This rug is made in Turkey and Turkish rugs are known for their softness, durability, and aesthetic appeal. The colours of this rug are also more vibrant, providing a bold and bright basis for your room’s décor. This rug also comes in many other different patterns and colours for you to choose from.
08. Beatrice Peach Transitional Washable Rug
Where to buy: Miss Amara
Price: $355
Link to purchase: here
Miss Amara is an online rug store with free delivery across Australia. They offer free returns and refunds as well as a complementary styling consultation pre-purchase. This stunning rug has a warm pink, peach, brown and cream palette which gives it a subtle vintage effect. It is woven from soft polyester fibres and even be machine washed.
07. Kundus Sharif Pictorial tribal hall runner 290x80cm
Where to buy: Persian Rug Co.
Price: $1,249
Link to purchase: here
Persian Rug Co. has housed Australia’s largest collection of handwoven rugs and kilims since 1993. Even better, you can browse their rugs in-person at the Roselle showroom in Sydney. They also have free shipping Australia wide and a 30 day no-questions return policy. This rug is handwoven using hand spun Afghan Ghazni wool and dyed using natural products.
06. Therese Oriental Runner Rug Culture
Where to buy: Zauni
Price: $111.96
Link to purchase: here
This beautiful hall runner rug is power loomed in Turkey from durable polypropene, making it a durable and low-maintenance rug which will last many years. The soft pinks, blues and neutrals create a sense of timeless sophistication ideal for accentuating an entryway.
05. Amritsar Kashan Rug
Where to buy: The Red Carpet Australia
Price: $599
Link to purchase: here
The Red Carpet Australia is a rug store based in Melbourne which provides high quality hand knotted authentic rugs from around the world. This traditional Persian Rug is knotted with wool and silk texture inlays and has free shipping throughout Victoria.
04. Kashmir Silk
Where to buy: Rug World
Price: $3,999
Link to buy: here
This handmade Persian rug is woven from 100% silk. For a traditional rug with modern appeal, try this stylish grey and neutral rug which will blend with any décor.
03. Persian Kilim
Where to buy: Persian Carpet Gallery
Price: $895
Link to buy: here
Persian Carpet Gallery is an Australian rug company with locations all across Australia, including Brisbane and Sydney. This colourful authentic Persian rug is a cheerful addition to any home and a great way to liven up an interior space.
02. Babylon Blue Rug
Where to buy: Rugs a Million
Price: $199.00
Link to buy: here
This power loomed Persian-style rug was made in Turkey using polypropylene fibres. It is vibrant and colourful with many intricate motifs, making it a versatile rug that will blend well in Bohemian settings or accentuate a more minimalistic design. It also comes in multiple sizes for you to select from, giving you full control over the rug that you wish to have in your space.
01. Jotunheim Ivory Multi Navy Border Transitional Designer Rug
Where to buy: Rugs of beauty
Price: $247.99
Link to buy: Here
This gorgeous rug celebrates a blend of tradition and modernity with an old world pattern complemented by contemporary colour tones. It is power loomed and made from soft polypropylene fibres, making it one of the most durable and affordable Persian style rugs available in Australia. This beautiful rug would look perfect as an accent for a classic modern décor or blended with a Bohemian style.
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