Know Your Rug: Stories, Heritage & Handmade Artistry

What separates a museum-quality carpet from a collector-grade or decorative rug? Explore the history of collectible carpets, Persian weaving traditions, knots, materials, renowned carpet-making cities and the qualities that make a handmade rug truly exceptional.

Explore the world's celebrated Persian carpet workshops and master weavers. Discover the history of Safavid royal ateliers, Seirafian, Haji Jalili, Mohtasham, Amoghli and Mir Mehdi, alongside the cities, materials, knots and weaving techniques that shaped Persian carpet craftsmanship.

Discover the history of Sultanabad and Mahal rugs, two celebrated Persian carpet traditions shaped by the nineteenth-century export trade. Explore the Ziegler connection, Arak's village weaving networks, Persian knots, wool construction, floral designs and their influence on contemporary interiors.

Discover the story of Bidjar rugs, known as the Iron Rugs of Persia. Explore their Kurdish heritage, remarkable dense construction, wet-weaving technique, symmetrical knots, wool foundations and traditional floral and geometric designs.

Discover the elegance of Nain rugs, one of Persia's finest wool-and-silk carpet traditions. Explore their twentieth-century origins, Habibian master workshops, ivory and blue designs, Persian knotting, La grading system and the craftsmanship behind these exceptional handmade carpets.

Explore the fascinating world of Soumak weaving, from its ancient Caucasian and Persian traditions to the distinctive wrapped-weft technique. Learn how Soumak differs from kilims and hand-knotted carpets, the materials and construction involved, and the regions and communities that have preserved this remarkable craft.

Explore the history of Mashhad rugs, from the historic weaving traditions of Khorasan to the renowned master workshops of the twentieth century. Learn about their floral designs, materials, knots, construction and how to assess an authentic Persian carpet.

Explore the history of Senneh rugs from Sanandaj, Iran, and discover their fine Herati and boteh patterns, hand-knotting techniques, distinctive construction and celebrated flatwoven kilims.

Explore the history of Tabriz rugs, one of Persia's great carpet traditions. Learn about medallion and pictorial designs, wool and silk, knotting methods, raj, weaving centres and how to assess an authentic Tabriz carpet.

Explore the history of Sarouk rugs from the Arak region of Persia, their distinctive floral designs, wool pile, Persian knotting techniques and the fascinating story of American Sarouk carpets.

Discover the history of Tree of Life rugs, the symbolism behind their designs and how Persian, Kashmiri and tribal weaving traditions bring this enduring motif to life.

Explore the art of weaving, from the history of Persian and Kashmiri carpets to the techniques behind hand-knotted rugs, kilims and dhurries. Learn how knots, materials, foundations and regional traditions shape the handmade rugs we appreciate today.