Persian Rug Shiraz 154 x 102 cm Wool Hand-knotted

Shiraz Persian Rug

Material and Craftsmanship

This Persian rug from Shiraz is hand-knotted and made from 100% pure virgin wool. Wool is valued as a natural fibre for its resilient character and comfortable feel. It creates a pile that is pleasant underfoot while remaining suited to regular use. With careful treatment, the natural structure of the fibre can retain its shape and tactile character over time.

In hand-knotting, each knot is placed individually into the textile foundation. This distinguishes a hand-knotted rug from a machine-made floor covering, whose production follows a largely automated process. Handwork allows small variations in execution and makes each piece unique. The technique therefore combines an established craft tradition with the practical qualities of a wool rug.

The knot density of this rug is between 100.000 and 180.000 knots per square metre. Knot density records the number of individual knots worked into a defined area. Depending on the construction, it affects the fineness of the drawing, the texture of the surface and the way smaller pattern details can be rendered. It is therefore an important descriptive feature alongside fibre and craftsmanship.

Origin and Tradition

The rug comes from Shiraz in Iran and belongs to the tradition of Persian rugs. Shiraz has a deep cultural history and is associated with a region where textile crafts, tribal traditions and decorative pattern languages have developed side by side. Here, Shiraz identifies the stated origin of the rug rather than merely describing a borrowed motif or a general stylistic reference.

Persian rugs are made within a wide range of workshop and weaving traditions. Designs may draw on urban models, regional ornament and forms associated with tribal or nomadic life. In Shiraz, these influences meet a local visual language. Geometric divisions can appear alongside plant-inspired signs, producing designs that are ordered without being rigid and decorative without losing their structure.

The description identifies outdoor knotting without advance planning as part of the traditional working method. This is different from tightly standardised serial production. The maker does not follow a mechanically repeated process in which every detail is fixed in advance. As a result, an individual piece can develop its own character during execution. This helps explain the rug’s traditional quality and unique nature without implying any additional place of origin.

Shiraz also sits within the broader landscape of Persian carpet traditions. Ghashghai rugs from the region are associated with lively colours and strong quality. Kerman rugs are known for detailed floral designs, while Isfahan rugs are often recognised for artistic compositions and the use of fine silk. These are examples of the diversity found in Persian carpet culture. They provide useful regional context, but they do not change the stated origin of this Shiraz rug.

Design and Pattern

The design combines geometric ornaments with floral motifs. Geometric forms give the composition a clear framework. Lines, angles, diamonds or repeated compartments can divide the field and create a measured rhythm. Floral elements add references to leaves, blossoms and stylised plant forms, bringing an organic counterpoint to the more linear structure.

In Persian carpet design, plant motifs are rarely intended as fully naturalistic illustrations. They may be simplified, mirrored, repeated or integrated into an ornamental system. They can appear as recurring signs inside a field, border or framed section. When placed beside geometric elements, they create a dialogue between straight boundaries and flowing, plant-like lines.

The colour range consists of shades of red and brown. Red may serve as a dominant ground, a stronger accent or a series of related tones. Brown introduces earthy and subdued areas that support the warmer side of the palette. Together, these colour families create a warm visual impression. Natural dyes are specifically identified in the description and form part of the traditional colour practice associated with handmade rugs.

Natural dyes can produce variations according to the raw material, the preparation of the dye bath and the treatment of the wool. Different depths within one colour family can therefore appear across an ornament. In a design combining geometric and floral forms, these tonal changes help the individual elements remain legible. The pattern can retain its rhythm without relying on flat, mechanically uniform colour fields.

As a unique piece, the rug is not presented as an identical pattern repeated across an industrial series. Its hand execution, Shiraz tradition and combination of geometric and floral forms shape the visual result. No additional medallion, border arrangement or colour should be inferred beyond the information given. The defining design facts are the geometric ornaments, the floral motifs and the red and brown tones.

Special Features

The rug’s distinguishing features are its origin in Shiraz, Iran, its hand-knotted construction and its use of 100% pure virgin wool. Natural dyes and a palette of reds and browns are also specified. The knot density lies between 100.000 and 180.000 knots per square metre. The rug is described as a unique piece. Together, these details cover its material, method of production, colour treatment and individual character.

They also establish it as a Persian rug rather than an Oriental rug that merely borrows a Persian style. Its origin is given as Shiraz, Iran. The pattern remains connected to that description through geometric ornaments and floral motifs, while no different origin or separate carpet category is stated.

FAQ

How should I care for a Shiraz Persian rug?

Vacuum the rug regularly and carefully to remove dust and loose dirt from the pile. Avoid unnecessary pressure on the surface during cleaning. Direct sunlight should be limited because prolonged exposure can cause colours to fade. If something is spilled, blot the area immediately with a damp cloth rather than rubbing it. Rubbing can stress the fibres and work the substance further into the pile. For a complete cleaning, a professional rug-cleaning service is appropriate, especially when the material or stain requires specialised treatment.

Can a Shiraz rug be used over underfloor heating?

A Shiraz Persian rug can be placed over underfloor heating as long as the temperature is not set too high. Moderate warmth helps protect the wool fibres while keeping the rug comfortable to use. The rug should not be exposed to excessive heat for extended periods. The heating system and the floor beneath it should also be operated in accordance with their installation guidance, so that both the rug and the flooring receive suitable treatment.

How can the quality of a Persian rug be assessed?

Knot density, materials and workmanship are central points of reference when assessing a Persian rug. A higher knot density may allow finer detail, but it should always be considered together with the construction and the consistency of the handwork. Pure wool and silk are traditional materials used in quality rugs. The pattern and colours should also be balanced and executed without faults. In a hand-knotted one-off, the individual character of the workmanship is part of the overall result and should be considered alongside technical density.