Persian Rugs 101

Persian rugs never go out of style. These classics are the most well-known type of Oriental rugs, so much so that the two terms are often used interchangeably. Persian rugs are a type of Oriental rug handwoven in Iran (once known as Persia.) These Middle Eastern masterpieces are one of the most complex and labor-intensive handicrafts in the world. They feature designs and colors that work with many decor styles, from traditional to midcentury modern. “I like them because they can be formal or informal,” says Elisabeth Parker, a rug expert with Christie’s Auction House in New York. “They can go in your living room or your kid’s room.” Here’s a lesson on Persian rugs’ rich history and some of the major design styles.

Persian rugs come in an array of classic design styles named for the city, village or tribe that weaves them. Heriz is one of the most famous rug designs from Iran. When you think of a Persian rug, it’s most likely a Heriz you're picturing, with a medallion in the middle of a rich red or rust field surrounded by geometric patterns. The rugs take their name from Heriz, a city in northwestern Iran. The most common colors in Heriz rugs are reds, pinks, blues, greens, yellows and ivory. Finer grades of Heriz rugs are called Serapis. One of the measures of a rug’s quality is its knots per square inch, or KPSI. It’s a measure of weaving density that’s to rugs what thread count is to sheets. The higher the KPSI, the better the rug's quality. Higher KPSIs also make it possible for weavers to produce more intricate designs.

Traditionally made of silk and wool, Kashan rugs are super-luxe Persians with intricately detailed patterns, like this one made in the first few decades of the 20th century. The rugs were traditionally made in Kashan, a hub of silk-making for more than 500 years. Kashan rugs are finely woven and come in tones of ivory, red, blue and soft green, and they usually feature center medallions and detailed Persian floral motifs.

Made in the city of Isfahan for more than 500 years, these rugs feature floral designs along with scrolls, vines, lacing patterns, trees, animals and pictorials of people and nature. This particular rug was made in 1930 and features a floral pattern. Isfahans have a rich color palette that includes reds, blues or indigos, often on an ivory background. They're also tightly woven with the finest examples having as much as 600 KPSI. Isfahans are some of the most valuable antique Persian rugs around. A 17th century silk Isfahan rug that belonged to tobacco heiress Doris Duke fetched $4.5 million at auction in 2008.