Frequently asked, plainly answered.
Everything we are most often asked about authenticity, materials, pricing, visiting the gallery, shipping, bespoke commissions, and care.
Authenticity & Provenance
How do I know if a Persian rug is authentic?
Signs of an authentic hand-knotted Persian rug include: visible knots on the reverse side with slight irregularity, natural colour variation (abrash), natural fibre pile (wool or silk), and a Certificate of Origin. At Dyad Artisans, every rug comes with a Certificate of Origin card documenting provenance, origin region, material, dimensions, and a QR code for verification.
What is a Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is a written, signed document we issue with every rug. It records the piece’s provenance (workshop or village, dealer chain), region, estimated date, foundation (warp / weft), pile material, knot density (Raj), dimensions, signature or atelier mark if present, and a QR code linking back to the SKU record.
What does it mean that you authenticate every rug?
Our founder catalogues every piece before it is offered for sale, reading the verso (knot, foundation), measuring knot density in Raj, identifying the dye library (madder, indigo, walnut, isparak), placing the motif vocabulary on a regional map, and verifying any verso signature.
Materials & Construction
What are Persian rugs made of?
Authentic Persian rugs are made from natural wool, silk, or cotton. The pile is typically wool, sourced from sheep raised in the rug-weaving region, while the foundation (warp and weft) is often cotton for urban rugs or wool for nomadic pieces. Silk is used for the finest city rugs from Qom and Isfahan.
What is Raj?
Raj is the Persian unit of knot density: the number of warps per 7 cm of width. 30 Raj is a village rug; 60+ Raj is a workshop master piece. Higher Raj allows finer detail and is one of the strongest indicators of workshop quality.
What is abrash?
Abrash is a colour variation across a row of knots, caused by a new dye lot being introduced during weaving. Clumsy abrash reveals a paused loom and is associated with village work; perfectly even abrash indicates a workshop master.
What is a Kilim?
A kilim is a flat-woven Persian rug, produced without a knotted pile. Kilims are typically made by nomadic tribes (Qashqai, Shahsavan, Baluch) and feature bold geometric patterns. They are lighter and thinner than knotted rugs.
Pricing & Value
Why are Persian rugs so expensive?
Persian rugs are expensive because they are entirely handmade: a single rug can take months or years to complete, with millions of individual knots tied by hand. The natural materials (handspun wool, silk, natural dyes) and the skill of the weaver also contribute to the price. Dyad Artisans buys direct from workshops and villages where it can, and otherwise from a known dealer or a single previous owner.
How much do Persian rugs cost?
Authentic Persian rugs at Dyad Artisans start under AUD $200 for small tribal mats and kilims. Most of the collection sits under $8,000, with rare antique and fine workshop carpets reaching the mid $30,000s. Price reflects size, age, foundation material, knot density, palette, and workshop attribution.
Do Persian rugs hold their value?
Yes. Authenticated, naturally-dyed, hand-knotted Persian rugs typically appreciate over decades. Antique and rare workshop pieces have established market value. Dyad Artisans provides valuation services for insurance and resale.
Visiting the Gallery
Where can I buy authentic Persian rugs in Melbourne?
Dyad Artisans is Melbourne’s specialist gallery for authentic Persian rugs, kilims, and collectible carpets. The gallery is at 273a Swan Street, Richmond, open Wednesday to Sunday or by appointment. All pieces are sourced direct from Iran and come with a Certificate of Origin.
Do you have a gallery open to the public?
Yes. The Richmond gallery is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday: 10am–5pm Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10am–6:30pm Thursday and Friday. Monday and Tuesday are by appointment. Most of the collection is on the floor and can be handled. No appointment is required for walk-ins.
Can I book an appointment?
Yes. Book an appointment any time, any day, to browse the collection out of hours or explore particular pieces one-on-one. Bring your floor plans or room dimensions.
Can I try a rug in my home before buying?
Yes. We offer obligation-free home trials within metropolitan Melbourne. We will deliver the rug to your room for a 7-day trial, helping you to lay it properly in your space, and collect it at the end if it’s not the one.
Shipping & Delivery
Do you deliver across Australia?
Yes. Delivery is free Australia-wide on orders over $200, shipped from our Richmond, Melbourne gallery via Australia Post and couriers. Under $200, the cost depends on the size and weight of the piece and your location, and is shown in the cart before checkout. International shipping is available on request; contact us for a quote. Full detail is on our Shipping and Handling page.
How long does delivery take?
Orders are normally dispatched within 2 to 3 business days, with delivery a further 3 to 7 business days within Australia depending on your location, so 5 to 10 business days end to end. You get a tracking number by email once the piece ships. International times vary; contact us for a quote and a timeframe.
Can I return a rug?
Yes. If you change your mind, tell us within 14 days of receipt and we may offer a refund or exchange at our discretion, provided the piece is unused, undamaged and returned with its original receipt. Shipping costs we incurred are deducted from the refund, and anything bought at a discount or negotiated price is eligible for exchange only. We aim to process requests within 5 days. Separately, and regardless of the above, your rights under the Australian Consumer Law always apply. Full detail is on our Returns and Exchange page.
Bespoke & Trade
Can I commission a rug to specific dimensions?
Yes. Our Bespoke program commissions hand-knotted pieces to your room. Send a brief: region, foundation, palette, motif vocabulary, dimensions, and we work directly with the atelier we know by name. Commissions take 18–30 months from brief to delivery.
Do you offer trade pricing for designers?
Yes. We quote trade pricing per piece for interior designers, architects, specifiers and wholesalers. Get in touch at pouria@dyadartisans.com to collaborate, send your brief or plans and experience our superior service.
Can you bring rugs to a client meeting?
Yes. Within metro Melbourne, by arrangement, we deliver two or three shortlisted pieces to a client meeting at no charge.
Restoration & Care
Do you clean and restore Persian rugs?
Yes. Our Richmond gallery offers conservation-grade cleaning and restoration on antique and contemporary pieces: re-piling, re-fringing, end-repair, selvedge replacement.
How do I care for a Persian rug?
Vacuum weekly with low suction (no rotating brushes). Rotate the rug every 6 months. Address spills immediately with cool water and a clean cloth. Do not rub. Professional cleaning every 3–5 years.
Can you provide a valuation for insurance?
Yes. Our written valuation service includes structural inspection, attribution, palette analysis, market comparison and a replacement-cost statement.