After an afternoon talking over cups of Iranian tea with Mr. Sepehr Roshan Zamir of Samarkanda Rugs in Valencia, Spain, I never looked at a Persian rug the same way again.
What goes into making a Persian rug—along with the tradition, patience, and craftsmanship behind it—feels almost like something from another world.
Iranian-born Mr. Roshan has worked with Persian rugs since 1982. After decades of traveling across Spain hosting exhibitions, he opened his shop in Valencia in 2004.
I have to admit, I walked into his shop simply loving the aesthetics of Persian rugs. I walked out with an entirely different level of appreciation. Because once you understand what goes into making one, you realize a Persian rug is closer to a work of art than a product.
By the time you finish this article, I suspect you’ll feel the same way. In fact, you might become the kind of rug snob who simply can’t bring themselves to buy a machine-made rug again.
Why Persian Rugs Aren’t Just Another Rug
The difference between a Persian rug and a machine-made one isn’t simply about quality.
A handmade rug is like an original painting. A machine-made rug is like a print.
The thing is, no two handmade rugs are ever identical, even when they’re woven from the exact same pattern. They carry subtle irregularities because they’re made by people, not machines—and that’s precisely what makes them special.
Then there are the details most of us never think about.
Take the fringe, for example. On a machine-made rug, it’s sewn on afterward to imitate the look of a handmade one. On a handmade Persian rug, the fringe isn’t decorative at all—it’s literally part of the rug’s structure.
According to Mr. Roshan, there are a few details that immediately reveal a handmade rug:
- The back: The individual knots are visible from the back, making it one of the first places experienced dealers look.
- The fringe: It’s the continuation of the rug’s warp threads—not something added afterward.
- The flexibility: Handmade rugs tend to be softer and more flexible, while machine-made rugs are generally stiffer and more uniform.
- The irregularities: Even when two weavers follow the exact same pattern, no two handmade rugs are ever identical.
What Goes Into a Persian Rug That Most People Never See
When you realize that a Persian rug’s motifs are actually created knot by knot, and that every color change has to be made by hand, you can’t help but be in awe.
Then you learn that a single rug can take anywhere from six months to over a year to complete, often with several weavers working on it at the same time. That’s when you begin to appreciate the incredible amount of craftsmanship behind every rug.
As Mr. Sepehr explained, the knots are like the pixels in a photograph: the finer the knots, the sharper and more detailed the design. That’s why floral motifs are usually much finer than geometric ones—they simply require more knots.
And as if that weren’t enough, every weaving city in Iran has its own colors, motifs, and visual identity. Add centuries of tribal and nomadic traditions to the mix, and you begin to understand why Persian rugs have become the world’s most celebrated.
In Iran, the first thing you put in a home is the rug. A house without rugs is inconceivable.
Continue exploring:
What Determines a Persian Rug’s Value
The Quality of the Wool Matters
Not all Persian rugs use the same quality wool. Wool from the sheep’s chest is considered among the finest. Many rugs also combine wool with silk, which allows for much finer weaving and greater detail.
Knot Density Determines Detail and Value
Knot density is one of the biggest factors that determines a rug’s value. As Mr. Sepehr explained, knots are like the pixels in a photograph: the finer the knots, the sharper and more detailed the design. Typical handmade rugs range from around 100,000 to 300,000 knots per square meter, while finer rugs can reach 500,000. The finest silk Persian rugs can exceed one million knots per square meter.
Time and Craftsmanship Increase a Persian Rug’s Value
A machine can produce roughly a thousand rugs in the time it takes weavers to finish a single handmade Persian rug. Once you understand the time and craftsmanship involved, the price begins to make sense.
Antique Persian Rugs Can Be Worth More Than New Ones
A well-preserved antique rug can be worth more than a new one. Unlike artificially distressed “vintage” rugs, naturally aged rugs earn their character over decades, not through chemical treatments.
Buying and Caring for One
Most people buy with their eyes only. And while I genuinely think you don’t find the right Persian rug—the right Persian rug finds you—there are still a few things to consider.
As Mr. Sepehr explained, buyers often struggle more with size than style. One recurring mistake he sees, for example, is choosing a dining room rug that’s too small. The chairs should always stay on the rug, even when they’re pulled out.
One service Mr. Sepehr offers, and something I think you should insist on (after all, you’re spending thousands of dollars), is having several rugs brought to your home so you can see them in your own space. Sometimes, the rug you least expect ends up being the one that works best.
That’s often what gives a room character instead of making it feel overly matched. In fact, it’s one of the ideas behind , where I explore why the most memorable interiors rarely feel perfectly coordinated.
As for care, the best and easiest tip is simply to take your shoes off. Combine that with regular vacuuming and moving your furniture occasionally, and your rug can stay beautiful for years.
According to Mr. Sepehr, a good handmade rug can go years without needing professional washing. And when it finally does, traditional hand washing with a gentle soap is more than enough.
One of my favorite things he said during our conversation was:
Wool naturally repels dirt. That’s why you always see sheep so clean
Persian Rug FAQs
Can a Persian rug work in a modern home?
Yes. In fact, Mr. Sepehr believes the contrast between a traditional Persian rug and contemporary furniture can create some of the most beautiful interiors.
Do Persian rugs need to be stored to protect them?
No. According to Mr. Sepehr, handmade rugs are meant to be used. Rugs that are walked on, vacuumed, and exposed to light are actually less likely to develop moth damage than rugs left rolled up in storage.
Are Persian rugs still handmade today?
Yes. Workshops across Iran still produce handmade rugs using traditional knotting techniques, although production has declined as machine-made rugs have become more common.
We live in a world where speed is celebrated. Everything today is optimized to be faster, cheaper, and more efficient. Persian rugs remind us that some things become more valuable precisely because they refuse to be rushed.
I entered Mr. Sepehr’s shop expecting to learn how to choose a Persian rug. Instead, I learned how to see one.
Once you understand the months of labor, generations of tradition, and millions of knots woven into every piece, it becomes difficult to think of a Persian rug as just another home accessory.
That’s why the best homes aren’t built around trends, but around pieces with stories worth telling. It’s an idea I explore more deeply in The Art of the Curated Home.
Maybe that’s what surprised me the most. The greatest value of a Persian rug isn’t what you see—it’s everything you don’t.
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