What are Persian city rugs?

In cities such as Nain, Isfahan or Tabriz, knotters work from a precise design on upright looms. This allows fine tendrils, floral motifs and precise medallions. According to our product data, the pieces in this selection usually have 250,000 to 490,000 knots per square metre; the pile is short and the foundation is cotton. Mahi means fish in Persian and describes small fish-shaped motifs between leafy tendrils, the typical pattern of many Moud and Sarough rugs. Bidjar rugs from western Persia are knotted so tightly that the pile stands almost upright; they are considered particularly hard-wearing.

How can you recognise a fine city rug?

Look at the back: the finer the knotting, the more clearly the pattern shows there, and curves look smooth rather than stepped. For Nain, the La rating indicates the fineness; for Tabriz, it is the Raj value. Small nuances of colour in the pile, the Abrash, are part of city rugs too and are a mark of quality. More on individual cities in our guides on Nain, Isfahan and Tabriz.

A fine medallion rug sets a clear accent in a pared-back room. Tip: with ‘View in your room’ on the product page, you can use your smartphone to place any city rug in your room at full size.