Nain rugs are easily distinguishable from most other types of oriental rugs by their sophisticated designs, very intricate designs and their predominantly silk material. These are among the newer types of rugs that did not originate as tribal rugs. Nain rugs are primarily city rugs.
Special Features Of Nain Rugs
Nain rug weavers almost always used silk in their creations, either in the detailing or in the pile itself. The pile of these rugs is lush and luxuriant and consists of a combination of silk and wool or 100% wool woven on a cotton foundation. All the materials used are of the highest quality, resulting in a spectacular oriental rug.
If you are trying to determine if the rug you are looking at is a Nain rug, look closely at the type of knots used and at the pile length. Weavers used an asymmetrical type of Persian knot when weaving these rugs.
When the rug was complete, they clipped the pile very close to the cotton foundation. This helped to give their designs more focus and definition. This close-cropped pile and asymmetrical knot are two of the more distinctive features of Nain rugs.
Another characteristic of these rugs is its elaborate floral patterns done in curvilinear style, also known as the Shah Abbas design. The intricate design often featured animal motifs and Islimi motifs in between the flower patterns.
If you are familiar with the Isfahan style of Oriental rugs, you are sure to notice the resemblance between Isfahan and Nain rugs. Don’t let that confuse you though. Take a closer look at the rug and you will notice a few differences in the colors and the design elements.
The majority of Nain rugs have red and blue highlights on a background of ivory or cream. They very rarely stray far from this color scheme, though you may find very rugs that have a red, green or navy background.
Nain Rug Master Weaver
Some of the most valuable Nain rugs are those manufactured in the workshop run by Fathollah Habibian. Fathollah Habibian was a highly skilled master weaver who not only personally designed all the rugs manufactured in his workshops but also supervised the weavers who were commissioned to work on his creations.
Although Nain rugs from Fathollah Habibian’s workshop are more highly priced than their counterparts, they are well worth the initial higher investment as the value of these rugs is known to appreciate over the years.
Caring For Your Nain Rugs
Caring for your Nain rug is important, not only because it is expensive but also because of their silk content. Silk is more delicate than wool or cotton and it will fray and lose its sheen if it is not well cared for.
One of the main things you can do to care for your Nain rug is to place it in a place that does not get too much foot traffic. Avoid placing it at the entrance or in the middle of the living room, where too many people walking all over it can fray or dull the shiny pile.
Also keep it away from the sunlight, which can fade away the beautiful coloration. If it is inevitable that some part of the rug will be exposed to the sunlight, simply rotate the rug regularly you that you do not end up with one big discolored path.
Regular professional cleaning is the key to keeping your rug looking as good as new for a longer time. You can vacuum your rug lightly at home to dislodge dirt and debris but you should never attempt to wet wash it at home. Professional rug cleaners have the knowhow and the tools to clean your rug while preserving its natural beauty.
