Vintage persian rugs are more than just textiles—they represent a time-honored weaving tradition, an ancient heritage and an unbroken link to a civilization that inspired awe in emperorly courts and aristocratic nobles. Their design, color and motif palettes are mesmerizingly distinctive.
Despite their nomadic origins, Persian carpets have an illustrious history of refinement that has made them one of the most recognizable families of luxury oriental rugs to neophyte and experienced collectors alike. The range of sizes, iconic patterns and motifs makes them particularly sought after by designers and decorators today.
Most Persian rug designs feature floral motifs, geometric shapes and / or intricate borders that are often combined together to create complex patterns. The colors used in Persian rugs carry symbolic meaning, too. Green symbolizes life, spring and hope, red stands for love, courage and luck, blue signifies the afterlife and truth, orange represents humility and piety, and white symbolizes purity and cleanliness.
Persian rugs are almost always hand-knotted. Different regions have their own original knot styles, but the most common are the symmetrical Turkish or Ghiordes knot and the asymmetrical Persian knot. The latter involves tying each yarn around two warps instead of the usual 2 which results in a slightly more durable and harder-wearing rug than those woven with the standard knot.
Doris Leslie Blau has an internationally recognized collection of antique Persian rugs, including classic Tabriz, Heriz and Serapi masterpieces. They are curated for rarity and beauty and complement her wide selection of antique Turkish, Caucasian and modern rugs.