New Rugs

New Persian Rugs

New Persian rugs are hand-knotted rugs that are less than 30 years old.

Persian weavers have been hand-knotting rugs for hundreds of years with each region having its own style. What’s interesting about new Persian rugs is that each region has stayed true to their origins from hundreds of years ago. This is because this rug-weaving skills are passed down from one generation to the next.

While newer generations added their own creative flair to the designs over the years, they did not stray too far from the original style. This has resulted in some highly creative designs and patterns in new Persian rugs.

It’s interesting to take a closer look at the differences between antique and new Persian rugs.

Bijar 6'9" x 9'9"
New Bijar 6'9" x 9'9" Rug

What Is The Difference Between Antique And New Persian Rugs

The age of the rug is the first distinct difference between the two. A Persian rug is considered to be new if it is less than 30 years old. However, all rugs older than 30 years are not necessarily antique. Rugs between 30 and 80 years old are considered to be old rugs. Only Persian rugs that are over 80 years are classified as antique Persian rugs.

Other than the age, there is no drastic difference between antique and new Persian rugs in terms of other characteristics. The designs, colors, weaving techniques, and other aspects have remained almost the same over the years because of the way the art of weaving has been passed down from one generation to the next.

Any differences that you see between antique and new Persian rugs have little to do with the age of the rug. Instead, they are a result of the individual weavers’ narrative.

Every weaver told their own story or recreated a scenery through their designs. It is this individual creative representation that has contributed to the variety in designs and styles over the years.

Soultanabad 10'7" X 16'
Anttique Soultanabad 10'7" X 16' Rug

How To Identify New Persian Rugs

The underside of the rug can tell you a lot about whether the rug is new or an antique. Turn the rug over and run your hands lightly on the underside. Newer rugs tend to feel very soft because of the excess wool that’s still on the pile.

If you can feel the softness of the fibers, that’s a sure sign that it is a new Persian rug. Older rugs develop a different characteristic over time. The extra wool from the pile gets worn off, so the patterns and designs are clearer.

The coloration of the pile is another distinguishing feature that sets a new Persian rug apart from an antique piece. In newer rugs the colors will be bright and shiny.

If you part the pile of a new rug, you’ll see that the color is completely uniform all the way to the bottom. In older rugs, even if the colors are still bright, they will have lost some of their shine from years of use.

Instead of the bright shininess that’s characteristic of new rugs, older pieces acquire a lovely patina, which gives them a beautiful aged look that is just as appealing to rug enthusiasts.

When you part the pile of an older rug, you’ll find that it’s only colors at the tips of the pile that have faded due to exposure to light. The colors at the bottom of the pile will have retained their original intensity.

Malayer 4'7" X 6'9"
New Malayer 4'7" X 6'9" Rug

Where Can You Get New Persian Rugs

For anyone who has decided to buy a new hand-knotted rug, the first question is ‘Where can you get new Persian rugs’.

You have two options really – you can go to a rug store near you or you can buy it from an online rug store. Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is to make sure you only buy a Persian rug from a reputable seller.

Do your research – read online reviews about the store and see what other buyers are saying about their experience. If any store has more than a few negative reviews, best to stay away and only patronize rug stores with impeccable reviews.

Today, buying rugs online offers several benefits. For one thing, online stores typically have a much larger inventory because of the lack of space constraints. They can just upload images of their rugs onto their digital market place for buyers to browse through. Every rug image is accompanied by its dimensions and a description so you can make an informed choice.

Another major benefit is that most reputed sellers offer free shipping. This adds to the earlier savings from not having to drive many miles to get to a rug store.

Huge Collection Of Authentic Persian Rugs Inside The Catalina Rug Warehouse
Huge Collection Of Authentic Persian Rugs Inside The Catalina Rug Warehouse

Important Things To Do Before Buying A New Persian Rug

Before you set out on your rug shopping spree, whether through an offline or online store, it’s important to first consider a few things.

First, think about where you want to place the rug and measure the space. Neglect this step and you could end up with a rug that’s too big or too small for the space.

Next, consider the ambiance you wish to create in that space as well as the colors and style of the current interior. Choosing a rug in colors and style that complement the current interior décor of your home will create a harmonious cohesive look.

Last but not least, ask the rug dealer about the age of the rug so you can be sure you are buying an authentic new Persian rug.