Ask someone what the difference is between an oriental and persian rug in New York City and they may tell you they are one and the same. This isn’t actually true, however, as rugophiles will be happy to state. Where the rug is made is the major difference between the two, and individuals need to know this when buying a rug, so they understand what they are getting.
An Oriental rug is any rug that is made in Asia using a hand knotted technique. Countries known for these types of rugs include Russian, Tibet, Nepal, India and China, among others. A Persian Rug in New York City is one type of Oriental rug, but what makes it distinct is a Persian rug is only made in Iran, the country formerly known as Persia.
Persian rugs are always made in Iran, but some manufacturers identify them by the city they are made in. For this reason, consumers may hear about Tabriz rugs because they are made in Tabriz. Certain cities have distinct patterns, which explains why the rugs look very different, yet all come from the same country.
Furthermore, Persian rugs are often thicker than Oriental rugs in general. A Persian rug may have as many as 160 knots per square inch. They tend to incorporate rich colors into their designs, and the designs aren’t typically seen in rugs made in other countries. This is one reason they are considered superior to Oriental rugs in the eyes of many.
A number of artisans work on one rug, and they can spend hundreds of hours doing so before it is complete. It may take four to five individuals 14 months to make a rug that is 9’x12′. This is with the individuals working as many as six hours each day.
Oriental rugs and Persian rugs are beautiful examples of floor coverings. Regardless of which type a customer selects, they are getting a rug that will last for years to come when properly cared for. Contact us to learn more about these rugs and the differences between Persian and Oriental rugs. We’ll be more than happy to answer all of your questions, so you get a rug you love.