Persian Rug Moud 301 x 200 cm Wool Hand-knotted

Moud Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Moud Persian rug is hand-knotted. Its pile is made from high-quality sheep wool, with cotton also specified as part of its construction. The combination of sheep wool in the pile and cotton in the foundation is characteristic of many Moud rugs. Wool provides a resilient yet supple surface and accepts dyes clearly, making it suitable for the precise rendering of flowers, leaves, borders, and other small ornaments.

The warp of a Moud rug is made from cotton yarn. These longitudinal threads form the supporting structure to which the knots are attached. The weft is made from cotton and high-quality sheep wool. Together, these materials create a textile foundation that is both durable and pleasant in handle. The visible fringes relate to the warp threads and are part of the rug’s construction rather than a separate decorative addition.

The product information places fine Moud rugs within a knot-density range of 300,000 to 360,000 knots per square metre. Dense knotting allows a weaver to articulate medallions, floral shapes, and repeated motifs with considerable definition. This rug combines that hand-knotting tradition with sheep wool and cotton. Its condition is described as very good.

Origin and Tradition

Moud is a town in eastern Iran, south of Mashhad. The town and its surrounding area are known for hand-knotted Persian rugs with careful workmanship and a broad vocabulary of patterns. Moud weaving belongs to an Iranian tradition in which structure, floral ornament, colour, and technical precision work together. The place name therefore identifies both a geographic origin and a regional approach to designing and making rugs.

Iranian weaving centres preserve established compositions while adapting them to different looms, materials, and individual designs. In Moud rugs, this tradition can be seen in the relationship between a clearly organised field and repeated botanical ornament. A design may appear orderly from a distance, while closer viewing reveals numerous leaves, flowers, tendrils, and small linking forms. The visual result depends on the discipline of the drawing as much as on the colours applied to it.

Moud rugs are associated with several recurring design directions. In the medallion Moud, a central star medallion in the Herati pattern forms the focus. Herati is one of the established floral pattern traditions of Persian weaving, using leaves, flowers, and curving forms in a balanced arrangement. A border may frame the field with palmettes and stylised floral motifs, creating a clear transition between the central composition and the outer edge.

Another direction is the all-over Moud. In this arrangement, the entire field is covered by a repeating Herati pattern. The design forms a continuous rhythmic network rather than relying on one dominant centre. A further form is the field-pattern Moud, also known as a garden pattern. Rectangular compartments may contain flowers, tree-of-life motifs, and other botanical elements. The separate sections remain related as a whole while giving the surface a more visibly divided structure.

Moud is part of Iran’s wider Persian rug tradition, where regional identity, knotting practice, and ornamental order are closely connected. Other Iranian rug types include Isfahan, associated with delicate drawing and high knot counts, and Tabriz, known for elaborate designs and a rich palette. Nain and Ghom are also recognised for refined workmanship and distinguished materials. These are separate regional and stylistic names, however, and do not change the origin of this Moud rug.

Design and Pattern

The rug is described with the pattern categories medallion, all-over, and field design. These terms represent three established ways of organising a Moud composition. In a medallion arrangement, attention is directed towards a central form. The star medallion in a Herati design may be enclosed by a structured border containing palmettes and stylised flowers. This produces a defined centre surrounded by an ornamental framework.

With an all-over arrangement, the Herati pattern extends across the complete inner field. Leaves, flowers, and scrolling stems interlock to create a continuous surface. Repetition gives the design its rhythm, while small changes in the direction, scale, and placement of individual motifs preserve the character of hand drawing. The overall effect remains ordered without becoming mechanically uniform.

The field pattern, or garden pattern, divides the surface into rectangular sections. These compartments may include flowers, trees of life, and other floral designs. The arrangement suggests an abstract garden plan in which separate areas are connected within one composition. Its architectural division differs from the uninterrupted repeat of an all-over Herati field and from the single visual focus of a medallion design.

The colours specified for this rug are strong reds and blue on a beige ground. Red can serve as a principal colour in the field or border, while blue provides a distinct counterpoint. Beige gives the background a quieter role and helps the floral lines and ornamental shapes remain legible. Moud rugs are also commonly associated with strong shades such as red-brown, red, and blue, often set against beige or red. This broader regional palette explains the lively but balanced character of the designs.

Palmettes, flowers, leaves, and tree-of-life motifs belong to a visual language used throughout Persian rug design. They are stylised botanical forms rather than literal depictions of one particular garden. Their distribution across the rug is determined by the chosen structure: a central medallion, a repeating field, or a sequence of compartments. Fine knotting supports the careful execution of such details, allowing smaller leaves and flowers to remain part of the overall pattern instead of dissolving into an indistinct surface.

Special Features

This rug comes from Moud in Iran and is hand-knotted. High-quality sheep wool and cotton are specified as its materials. Its design combines the listed Moud pattern categories of medallion, all-over composition, and field design with strong reds and blue on a beige ground. The condition is given as very good.

Care for a Moud rug includes regular vacuuming and occasional airing. A spill or stain should be treated promptly with a mild cleaning product. Gentle handling helps protect the wool, cotton, and coloured surface from unnecessary stress. These measures are intended to maintain the rug’s textile materials and its visible pattern over time.

FAQ

How should I care for my Moud Persian rug?

Vacuum the rug regularly to remove dust and loose particles from the pile, and air it occasionally. If a stain occurs, act promptly and use a mild cleaning product. Cleaning should be gentle so that the sheep wool, cotton, and dyed surface are not subjected to unnecessarily harsh treatment.

Where does this Moud Persian rug come from?

The rug comes from Moud in eastern Iran. Moud is located south of Mashhad and is known for hand-knotted Persian rugs. Its regional tradition combines careful knotting with floral ornament, medallions, all-over Herati repeats, and compartmentalised field designs.

Which colours are typical of Moud rugs?

Moud rugs are commonly associated with strong colours including red, red-brown, and blue. Beige or red may be used as a ground. For this rug, strong reds and blue on a beige ground are specified. The contrast helps define the medallion, border, and floral ornament.