Iranian hand-woven carpets are exquisite works of art. Making each handwoven carpet takes a lot of effort and skill, resulting in unique values and features that make them incomparable to machine-made carpets. Yet, in non-experts’ eyes, handwoven and machine-made carpets may look identical and not recognize their differences. In this short blog, we explain five ways of distinguishing a hand-woven carpet from a machine-made one so you can recognize them without needing an expert’s comment.Â
Check The Underside Of The Rug
Start by turning the rug over or flipping a corner and check the back. While machine-made rugs possess their own beauty, if you are seeking an authentic handmade rug, the back holds the answer.
Machine-made rugs are woven on power looms, creating uniform knots with consistent size and tightness. The knots on the back of these rugs appear like identical soldiers in an army. On the other hand, handmade pieces exhibit slight imperfections that give them their character. Unless you are examining a silk rug with more than seven hundred knots per square centimetre, there will always be a slight imperfection. It is also important to check on the rug’s back because the design is just as visible on the back as on the front. Actually, the higher the quality of the rug, the more fascinating the back. A rug with more knots per square centimetre has a more delicate and evident design, both on the front and back.
Look For Colour Variations
Handmade Persian rugs often display slight variations in colour due to the entirely manual dyeing process. Using wool dyed in different batches will often result in minor colour variations. in contrast, the synthetic materials used in machine-made rugs are typically dyed in a single batch, ensuring that the colours are consistent throughout.Â
Examine the Fringe
Close inspection of the fringe is essential. Handmade pieces will still have a fringe that extends from the carpet’s warp, whether braided or tied off while fringes on machine-made rugs are generally separate pieces sewn on.
Consider the Patina
Patina is an important factor, particularly when evaluating vintage and antique rugs. Authentic Persian rugs, especially those made from fine wool, develop a beautiful patina or subtle shine over time due to the presence of fatty lanolin, also known as wool yolk. This patina distinguishes genuine rugs from their machine-made counterparts. Although it does not possess the same level of luster as silk, the understated glow adds to the rug’s allure.
Analyse the Patterns
In contrast to Hand made rugs machine-made rugs exhibit precise patterns that are reflected from one side to the other, leaving little room for design contradictions. Conversely, hand-woven carpets lack precise symmetry between different sections. In some instances, and mostly in nomadic rugs, a weaver may even create a rug without a design map, relying solely on their memory and skills.
Regarding the asymmetrical design and authenticity, Iranians frequently use the phrase “the Persian flaw”. The phrase implies a deliberate flaw. The phrase is believed to come from intentional mistakes woven into rugs by weavers. Folklore and religion combined to create the idea that there could only be perfect creations from God, so weaving a perfect rug would be disrespectful to the “almighty God”. Although it may sound a little self-interested, at the same time, such a phrase shows the self-confidence and skill of Persian weavers who believe they can reach godly perfection in carpet weaving.
By considering these five factors, you can enhance your ability to identify an authentic handmade Persian carpet, appreciating the intricate artistry and value behind each piece.
But remember, at the end of the day, it’s crucial to choose a reputable rug store when purchasing Persian handwoven rugs. By doing so, you can enjoy peace of mind throughout the buying process. Furthermore, experts possess invaluable knowledge about the details of each type of rug that may significantly impact your decision.
