When you buy a Persian carpet, you are not merely buying something to cover the floor with – you are in fact buying a piece of art and thus making an investment in your home’s décor. This is why you should have a thorough knowledge about the history of this form of art, what to look out for when you buy it and how to properly maintain this expensive rug.
History
It is believed that the first form of Persian / Oriental carpets was made by nomadic tribesmen as a floor entrance covering to keep the cold out. Later (and still today) these carpets were used to display of wealth and royalty. It is uncertain where and when exactly these carpets were first made, but evidence suggest that various forms of flat weaving were developed more than 4000 years ago. It is believed that the “Pazyryk Carpet” is one of the oldest known hand-knotted oriental rugs. This is kept in the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad, Russia and is approximately 2400 years old.
The most popular Persian rugs:
Afshar-rugs
- Smaller in size
- Geometric pattern design
- These rugs come in dark red, reddish brown, brown, dark reddish-blue, dark blue, burnt orange and camel
Tabriz-rugs
- Curvilinear pattern design
- Each rug has numerous colours like pink, peach, camel, beige and ivory
Kashan-rugs
- Curvilinear pattern design.
- Background colours are used (navy, rich red, beige and ivory) with a pattern of a different colour (red, blue, turquoise, beige, white, brown and green)
Kerman-rugs
- Curvilinear pattern design with different themes included in the pattern.
- Colours include red, red-blue, lime green, pink, ivory, turquoise, orange, champagne and beige
Baluch-rugs
- Hand-woven rugs with an unique overall pattern.
- Rugs come in burgundy with some navy and ivory
Shiraz Rugs
- Plain hand-woven carpets
- Usually consists of two colours with red being the main colour
Wiss-rugs
- Traditionally have dense floral patterns
- Red or burgundy are the most common colours used.
Maintenance
It is important to take good care of your Persian carpet if you want it last. Here are a few things to consider in order to ensure that your Persian will last:
Sunlight and moist
Persian carpets are mainly manufactured with natural colorants, which will fade with the years if it is constantly exposed to sunlight. This is why you should choose a spot for your carpet that is not constantly exposed to sunlight. Moist is also not good for these carpets, so choose areas that are far away from the kitchen or bathroom.
Vacuuming and sweeping
Persian carpets are ideal for areas with a lot of traffic, because these carpets are very strong and tough. Do not allow excess dirt and dust to be walked into the carpet as this may shorten its lifespan. Remove excess dirt by vacuuming your carpet regularly or to sweep it with a special carpet broom.
Storage
Ensure that your carpet is cleaned by an expert before it is stored away. Do not cover your rug with plastic, rather use acid free tissue paper to cover the Persian carpet and then wrap it up in a sheet or towel that was treated with moth-poison.
Stains
Treat spills immediately by covering it with an absorbent material like paper towel to get rid of excess liquid. Use a sponge, dipped in water, to clean the carpet and absorb excess liquid with a paper towel. Treat alcohol, beverage and urine stains with household cleansers or a vinegar solution. Clean the stain by rubbing it from the outside inward and only use small amounts of cleaning solution at a time. Remember to constantly absorb excess liquid as you go along. Do not use any form of salt to clean your carpet.
Professional care
Don’t entrust your expensive carpet to anyone except a professional who knows how to clean these carpets effectively, without damaging it. It is recommended that you rake your carpet for a thorough, professional cleaning once a year. Do not attempt to clean your Persian carpet by yourself as this will only damage the Carpet and result in loss of colour if not dried properly.
Antique and fragile carpets
If you have an antique carpet it is best not to put it in a spot that carries a lot of traffic. This type of carpet can be considered an artwork and will work better against a wall. These carpets shouldn’t be dry cleaned at all and should rather be vacuumed thoroughly once or twice a year.
Edging and tassels
Be careful that the edging / tassels of your Persian carpet do not tare or get tangled when it is being cleaned. This area of the carpet is very fragile and requires special attention.
Carpet-beater
Do not use a carpet-beater to get rid of dust and dirt as this can damage your carpet. Rather shake it out gently and quickly sweep over it with the head of the carpet cleaner.
Tips for choosing the right Persian carpet:
- Personal need: Decide on the kind of Persian rug you want to buy and the size you would need – there are large, medium and smaller sizes available.
- It’s in the knot: The amount of knots per square inch can tell you a lot about a carpet; the more knots, the better the rug. The use of smaller knots is also an indication of the experience of the rug maker.
- Flaws are important: Handmade Persian rugs often contain flaws in the patterns. The absence of a flaw or deviation from the pattern means the rug was probably made by a machine and is of lower quality.
- A matter of taste: Decide if you truly like the look and feel of the carpet you are about to buy and don’t take it just because it’s Persian. These ‘magic carpets’ come in lots of different shades and colours, so don’t just settle for the first one you see.
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