Vintage Silk Persian Rugs

But seri-culture had already been established in Persia since the Sassanian period (3rd to 7th centuries) when its secret of production along with a supply of silkworms was presumably smuggled out of China. In due course Persia became a center of silk textile production. It was therefore inevitable that the weavers of the Silk Road would eventually hit upon the idea of making carpets in silk.

But whenever or wherever this first began, the Safavid period was when the use of silk fibers became an established component of Persian rug weaving. Given the superior strength of silk fibers and their finer proportions, silk came to used in the foundation of Persian carpets, as warps or wefts, or both. In due course smaller amounts of silk knots were used amidst the wool pile as highlights, then as the pile of larger details within the design, and finally to produce the pile in its entirety. Similarly, the weft face of kilims was at times produced in silk as well. Given the greater fineness of silk fibers, this material naturally lent itself to the extreme delicacy that Persian rug weaving sought to achieve.

Since silk naturally has a more reflective, lustrous quality and softer texture than even the finest wool, it offered the possibility to achieve a more luminous, glowing, and luxurious carpet. And so today silk continues to be used in foundations, as highlights amidst wool pile, or as the primary material for the pile in the very finest Persian carpets as it has for centuries, an enduring testament to Persia’s continued status as a leader in traditional oriental area rug production.

Persian silk area rugs are a special class in the world of fine Persian rugs. Silk has several qualities, aside from its luster, that make these rugs a rare find and beautiful addition to a collection.

Finer threads can be spun with silk than with wool. These can be used to create extremely intricate designs and rugs with higher knot counts. This allows the artisans to create rugs of fine detail and exceptional beauty. During the Safavids Dynasty, only specially-trained spinners and weavers were allowed to work with silk because of its high value to the Courts.

Throughout the ages, working with silk remained an area of art and design that was reserved for guild members and those who possessed a high level of skill and knowledge. Silk takes dyes well, and many of the colors remain vibrant for decades.

This collection of specifically Persian made silk area rugs features a range of sizes from small accent rugs to room-size and oversize pieces. The natural characteristics of silk allow these rugs to achieve a high level of detail. You will find complex designs with intricate borders, pictorials, and details that you will not find in other rug types. Silk was reserved for an exclusive class of artists who proved themselves in the design and technical skills required to create these magnificent pieces.

Many rugs in this collection were created during the latter part of the 20th century. They feature traditional designs and show many of the same qualities as their antique predecessors. A fine silk rug makes a statement in the room and adds a refined character to the space. Rugs from this collection area phenomenal additions to a traditional design or can be used to add vibrancy to a contemporary design.

The beauty of a fine silk rug from Persia is something that must be experienced to understand, and Nazmiyal Gallery is proud to bring you this fine collection of some of our favorites. We encourage you to browse some of these masterful selections. If you see one you like, you can contact our staff for any questions that you have and arrange for a delivery option that works for you.

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