Persian Rug 180 x 122 cm Cork Wool Hand-knotted

Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Persian rug is hand-knotted and made from 80% cork wool and 20% natural silk. The two materials shape both its surface and its visual character. Cork wool forms the larger part of the pile and is described as hard-wearing and highly resistant to abrasion. Natural silk adds a smooth, fine surface with a subtle sheen. Together, the fibres create a texture that combines a substantial woollen feel with the reflective quality of silk.

Traditional hand-knotting means that the rug is made knot by knot. Rather than being produced by a machine, it is created through a manual process and is therefore a one-off piece. The product description gives a knot density of approximately 1,000,000 knots per square metre. In general rug construction, a dense knot structure allows outlines, floral details and curved ornament to be rendered in a fine and controlled manner.

The pile height is 6 mm. A relatively low pile allows the pattern to remain clearly legible and gives the surface a defined profile. Wool contributes softness and body to the pile, while natural silk reflects light. Depending on the direction of the light and the viewer’s position, the silk can make selected areas appear brighter or more lustrous.

Hand-knotted rugs are made by placing individual knots around the warp threads, then securing the rows with weft threads. The process requires concentration and practical weaving skill. In a traditionally Persian design, this method provides the foundation for precise contours and a balanced relationship between ornament and open ground. The work proceeds gradually, with the pattern built up through successive rows rather than printed onto a finished surface.

Origin and Tradition

The rug comes from Persia. Persia, known today as Iran, is one of the historic centres of rug weaving. Persian carpet making developed over many centuries and brought together practical textile use, regional workshop traditions and a distinctive language of ornament. Rugs were made in different areas and settings, so Persian weaving encompasses many local approaches. Not every Persian rug can therefore be assigned to a named province unless a specific origin is stated.

The history of Persian carpet art reaches back to the early modern period. From the sixteenth century onward, carpets were used in courts, religious buildings and private interiors. They served as floor coverings, seating surfaces and elements of formal furnishing. Over time, weaving communities developed established designs, repeat structures and colour relationships. These inherited conventions still influence how Persian rugs are recognised today.

Isfahan, Tabriz and Kerman are among the best-known historical weaving centres. Isfahan is associated with carefully balanced floral compositions and fine drawing. Tabriz has a broad design tradition that includes medallions, elaborate borders and detailed line work. Kerman is often linked with floral layouts, scrolling vegetation and an orderly distribution of ornament. These names describe regional traditions and are not additional statements about this rug’s specific province of origin.

Persian weaving combines a planned design with highly repetitive manual work. The weaver transfers the structure of the design into rows of knots, keeping track of colour areas, contours and the relation between the central field and the borders. Knot density affects the degree of detail that can be expressed. A dense construction can support narrow lines, small floral elements and carefully controlled transitions between adjacent colours.

Wool and silk have different but complementary roles in Persian rug making. Wool is valued for its resilience and for the comfortable, substantial surface it creates. Silk can be used to sharpen detail and to introduce a change in the way light is reflected. In a mixed pile, the character of the rug comes not only from its colours but also from the contrast between the more matte wool and the finer sheen of silk.

Hand-knotting is also part of the cultural continuity of Persian textile production. Each row is formed through a measured, controlled sequence of manual actions. Small variations belong to this method and distinguish a hand-knotted object from an industrially repeated product. The individual character of the rug therefore comes from its particular combination of material, knotting process and design execution.

Design and Pattern

The design is described as traditional Oriental and Persian. Fine arabesque and floral motifs shape the overall composition. Arabesque ornament uses flowing lines, branching forms and repeated movement. Floral elements refer to flowers, leaves and vines. Arranged together, these components create a connected ornamental field in which motifs lead into one another instead of appearing as isolated decorations.

Floral patterns are among the enduring forms of Persian carpet design. They may appear in a border, within a central field or across the surface as a distributed composition. Vines connect larger flowers, while smaller leaves and blossoms occupy the spaces between them. This creates a balance between repetition and variation. The pattern remains coherent while retaining many individual details.

Arabesque designs are often structured so that the eye can follow the movement of the lines. A vine may divide, turn back or develop into a floral form. Such transitions introduce rhythm without disturbing the overall order of the field. A dense knot structure can render these passages with narrow lines and small colour areas. The hand-knotted construction consequently supports the detailed reading of the ornament.

The colours are characterised in the description as colourful and lively. Their appearance results from the relationship between several tones and from the different surfaces of cork wool and natural silk. Wool generally presents colour with a fuller, more settled appearance, while silk catches and returns light. This difference can make parts of the design look brighter as the viewing angle or illumination changes.

Persian ornament is frequently connected with images and ideas drawn from nature. Flowers, leaves and vines can be understood as symbols of growth, good fortune, wealth and prosperity. This symbolic layer belongs to the wider tradition of the pattern rather than constituting a separate provenance claim. It gives the floral vocabulary a cultural meaning beyond the simple division of a surface into decorative areas.

A traditional Persian composition can remain recognisable while fitting into a contemporary interior. Its ordered structure, repeated ornament and varied colour relationships allow it to be read in different settings. The Persian character comes from the vocabulary of arabesques and florals, the organisation of the field and the discipline of the drawing. On this rug, the fine materials and hand-knotted execution contribute to the way those details are seen and felt.

Special Features

The rug is new and is described as perfect. Its character is defined by the combination of cork wool, natural silk and traditional hand-knotting. Cork wool is described as durable and highly resistant to wear. Natural silk gives the surface an elegant sheen and helps the colours appear vivid.

The rug is described as easy to care for, while its robust workmanship makes it suitable not only for living spaces but also for areas with heavier use in commercial environments. Its elegant appearance and stated quality also make it suitable as a gift for special occasions, including a housewarming or a wedding.

The rug weighs 5 kg. It is hand-knotted, new and has a pile made from 80% cork wool and 20% natural silk. These details describe the specific construction of this one-off piece.

FAQ

What is the best way to clean a Persian rug?

For routine care, gentle vacuuming without a brush is recommended. This removes loose dust without unnecessarily working the pile. For a small stain, a damp cloth and mild soap can be used carefully. Treatment should be restrained so that the colours and materials are not damaged. A professional cleaner is advisable for a thorough cleaning, because wool and natural silk have different characteristics and the surface should be handled appropriately.

How can I recognise a high-quality Persian rug?

Relevant features include a high knot density, refined materials such as wool and silk, and an artfully developed design. Clean edges and a well-finished back can also indicate careful hand-knotting. This rug combines 80% cork wool, 20% natural silk, traditional hand-knotting and a product-described density of approximately 1,000,000 knots per square metre. Material, construction and pattern execution should be considered together when assessing a Persian rug.

Is the rug suitable for underfloor heating?

Yes. This Persian rug is described as suitable for rooms with underfloor heating because of its natural materials and its particular knotting technique. Its textile structure provides pleasant heat insulation without interfering with the heat source. When used on such a floor, the rug should lie flat and securely. The stated suitability relates to the combination of natural fibres and hand-knotted construction.