Types of Antique Persian Rugs

If you are in the market for Persian rugs, it is important to understand the different types that are available. This is especially true if you are shopping for antique rugs as some types are in higher demand compared to others.

What follows is a list of many different types of Persian rugs. It is not a complete list, but it does describe the more popular types that are on the market today.

Afshar Rugs

Generally speaking, these antique rugs have simpler, yet still beautiful designs. Made by the Afshar tribe located in the southeast portion of Iraq, the rugs themselves use a brown, ivory, red, rust, and blue color schemes. The older rugs tend to be smaller in size, which is how you can tell them apart from modern copies which tend to be bigger.

Ardebils Rugs

Featuring motifs from the Caucasus, the rug itself is quite striking in its color schemes and designs. The cotton foundation makes it light, yet durable and perfect for those who want a beautiful rug for their home.

Palace Sized Vegetable Dye Pre-1900 Antique Bakhtiari Persian Rug 18×32

Bakhtiari Rugs

This rug is from the Bakhtiari tribe and not common outside the Persian region because they are not often woven for sale outside the region. Instead, they are made to meet the requirements of the tribe, so finding one on sale is a rare occurrence.

Bibikabad Rugs

You’ll see lots of blue or red fields that feature highlights of green or ivory. There are also plenty of medallions that are surrounded by a Herati pattern. This distinguishing the rug from other types, although they do share many similarities with other Persian rugs.

Bidjar Rugs

Also called iron rugs, these are rugs which are primarily made to withstand foot traffic. They tend to be long and relatively narrow. Plus, their weave is quite tight and when combined with the materials used to make the rug, very resistant.

Dergazine Rugs

This type of ancient rug will feature many motifs of floral which are set in ivory or red fields. They will be highlighted with pinks and blues. Plus, many of the rugs will feature a medallion in the center, creating a symmetrical appearance.

Enjilas Rugs

Long, relatively narrow, and beautifully designed, this type of rug is woven in Hamedan’s southern region. You’ll find color schemes of ivory, red, and blue which makes them quite beautiful along with being durable and perfect for hallways or display.

Gabbeh Rugs

This type of rug is distinguished by its wide borders, strong color palette, and relatively basic, if bold patterns. Another aspect that distinguishes this rug is the low knot count and the thick pile of material that makes it quite unique.

Hamedan Rugs

This is arguably one of the most common types of Persian rugs. They feature many different designs and can be found in most antique shops that emphasize rugs. They offer beautiful patterns, but their commonality is mostly due to the number of them which has been made.

Heriz Rugs

This is a large-type of Persian rug that often features medallions boldly depicted in the center. Such medallion designs tend to dominate this type of rug. They also has mostly ivory or red fields with complicated design patterns. For designers, they are highly prized for their celebrated attributes.

Isfahan Rugs

Unique for its symmetrical design that uses both wool and silk, the Isfahan rugs also feature a singular medallion surrounded by vines. The color schemes include rose, blue, or indigo that is all woven on an ivory background.

Joshaghan Rugs

Created from wool that is woven over cotton, Johsaghan rugs usually feature diamond patterns with floral motifs that make them stand out. The lattice-designs are quite striking and beautiful, making them a popular type of rug.

Kapoutrang Rugs

A standard Persian rug design that features a medallion in the center which is surrounded by floral patterns, these rugs also boast a color scheme which uses blue, ivory, and red in the mixture. They are usually large, durable, and quite striking in their appearance.

Kashan Rugs

Perhaps the most prototypical of all Persian rugs, the Kashan is a beautifully-designed work of art. The combination of ivory, red, and blue color schemes that meld together in fine patterns is something that cannot be matched. It also helps that Kashan rugs are created with high-quality wools that are quite durable and hold their color for many years. The distinctive curvilinear patterns helps make this one of the most distinctive antique rugs you can find.

Kerman Rugs

Named after the city of Kerman, Iran, this is a special type of rug because it is relatively rare on the open market. They are distinguished by their fine weaves and pictorial scenes which are often quite elaborate. Using cotton or wool foundations, the rugs also feature a styling which is curvilinear and dotted with floral motifs.

Maslaghan Rugs

Sometimes called Melayers, the Maslaghan features lightning-bolt designs. You can also find medallions on the rug with plenty of orange, blue, and red color schemes.

Nain Rugs

Intricate designs made from high quality wool, Nain rugs are quite distinctive and often feature 300 to 700 knots per square inch. There are intertwined branches of green or blue amid tiny flowers that are woven into an ivory or pale background.

Sarouk Rugs

The beautiful roses, blues, and reds are the design and color schemes most associated with this venerable rug. What makes the Sarouk distinctive is the weft of blue cotton used for the foundation. This adds density to the rug while also making it more durable.

Silk 600 Knots Tabriz Persian Area Rug 16×26

Tabriz Rugs

Originally from Tabriz, Azerbaijan, this is one of the oldest types of Persian rugs in the region. The combination of wool or wool/silk and silk warp or cotton warp makes them highly prized. They are distinguished by the beautiful patterns that range from floral, tree, scenes of hunting, and teardrop medallions. Most antique Tabriz rugs can only be found in exclusive private collections or museums, so running across one that is available is quite rare.

Yalameh Rugs

A very colorful rug, you can find many of them in markets around the world. What makes their design distinctive is the latch-hook arranged in vertical rows that also include medallions.

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