Natural color variations in handmade carpets due to differences in wool, dyes, or weaving techniques. Often considered a desirable characteristic in authentic handmade rugs.
Tribal rugs made by the Baluch people of eastern Iran, southern Afghanistan, and western Pakistan. Known for their dark, rich colors (deep blues, reds, and browns), geometric designs, and the use of camel hair and wool. Often feature prayer designs, tree of life motifs, and stylized animals.
A type of carpet made by compressing and matting wool fibers together using heat, moisture, and pressure rather than weaving or tufting. The resulting material is dense, durable, and naturally water-resistant. Modern felted wool carpets combine traditional techniques with contemporary designs for a unique textile that provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.
A traditional handmade Greek rug characterized by its long, shaggy pile made from 100% wool. Authentic Flokati rugs are woven in Greece, then washed in the cold waters of the Pindus mountains, causing the wool to fluff and create their distinctive fluffy texture. Originally used by shepherds for warmth, they are now popular decorative pieces known for their luxurious softness and natural cream color.
Handcrafted carpets from Jaipur, India, known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs. Traditional Jaipuri rugs feature distinctive floral patterns, geometric motifs, and sometimes incorporate block-printing techniques. These rugs often use a cotton foundation with wool pile and are renowned for their craftsmanship, with techniques passed down through generations of artisans in Rajasthan.
Fine Persian carpets from the city of Kashan in central Iran, known for their high-quality wool, precise weaving, and classic medallion designs. Traditional Kashan rugs feature a central medallion, intricate floral patterns, and rich color palettes dominated by reds, blues, and ivories.
The finest grade of hand-spun wool, clipped from the neck and shoulders of a lamb's first shearing. Long, elastic and unusually rich in lanolin, kork takes dye with exceptional depth and gives rugs from workshops such as Kashan a distinctive silky handle. The presence of kork wool is one of the quiet markers separating a fine city rug from an ordinary one.
The natural wax that coats wool fibers, secreted by the sheep to waterproof its fleece. In a wool carpet, residual lanolin acts as a built-in stain repellent: spills bead on the surface for a few moments instead of soaking in, which is one reason wool rugs forgive accidents that would permanently mark most synthetics. Repeated harsh chemical cleaning strips lanolin away, which is why gentle washing is recommended for wool.
A type of Persian rug made in the city of Qum (Qom), Iran. Known for their high knot density, intricate designs, and use of silk or fine wool. Qum rugs often feature detailed floral patterns, medallions, or hunting scenes and are considered among the finest Persian carpets.
Prestigious Persian rugs from the Sarouk village in the Arak region of Iran, known for their durability, high-quality wool, and distinctive designs. Traditional Sarouks feature floral patterns with a central medallion on a rich red or blue field. American Sarouks, produced for the U.S. market in the early 20th century, were often re-dyed to achieve a preferred rose-red color.
A semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose, used in carpets to create a silk-like appearance at a lower cost. Less durable than wool or synthetic fibers.
Fine Persian carpets from the city of Yazd in central Iran, known for their intricate medallion designs and high-quality craftsmanship. Traditional Yazd carpets feature a central medallion with elaborate floral motifs, often incorporating silk highlights on a wool foundation. The color palette typically includes rich blues, reds, and ivories with distinctive curvilinear patterns influenced by the historic textile traditions of this ancient city.
Traditional floor coverings used in Central Asian nomadic dwellings (yurts). These rugs are typically made from wool with geometric patterns and serve both decorative and practical purposes, providing insulation and defining living spaces within the circular structure.
A traditional flat-woven textile from Iran, particularly the Yazd and Meybod regions. These cotton or wool floor coverings feature geometric patterns created using a special weaving technique that produces a reversible fabric with different patterns on each side. Historically used in mosques and homes, zilus typically display blue and white patterns with cultural and religious significance.