There are basically two types of theories regarding the origin of Persian rugs.  First, nomadic peoples who were trying to provide means of protection between themselves and the elements of nature crafted rugs.  However, rugs were not crafted just for protection; they were used for decoration and artistic purposes.  A good proof of that is the Pazyrk carpet.

In the Summer of 1949 a team of Russian archeologists, led by Sergei Rudenko, opened an ice tomb in a highland valley in the Altai Mountains in Siberia.  There they discovered what was to become the worlds most famous pile rug.  Today, this rug is kept in the State Hermitage museum in St. Petesburg.

There are basically two types of theories regarding the origin of Persian rugs.  First, nomadic peoples who were trying to provide means of protection between themselves and the elements of nature crafted rugs.  However, rugs were not crafted just for protection; they were used for decoration and artistic purposes.  A good proof of that is the Pazyrk carpet.

In the Summer of 1949 a team of Russian archeologists, led by Sergei Rudenko, opened an ice tomb in a highland valley in the Altai Mountains in Siberia.  There they discovered what was to become the worlds most famous pile rug.  Today, this rug is kept in the State Hermitage museum in St. Petesburg.

Basically we can categorize weavers into three groups.

Nomadic people of those from nomadic origin make nomadic-style rugs.  Typically these rugs are made of wool with few colors, patterns are either geometric or simple, stylized floral design.  Horse hair or goat maybe used on these edges, which are usually irregular.

Those who leave in agricultural communities are usually female weavers who weave a Persian rug as a supplementary income to their families.

City rugs are generally woven in workshops settings with numerous looms, and more than one weaver work per rug.  These rugs are the most intricately designed rug.  Up to 50 colors maybe used in these rugs. 

Persian knots:  In the Persian knots, the supplementary weft yarn passes behind one wrap yarn, and the two ends emerge on either side of a wrap yarn.  The Persian knot is also known as "Senneh" knot.  These knots has an asymmetrical structure.

Turkish knots:  In the Turkish knots, a weft yarn passes around both wrap threads, and the loose ends are drawn tightly.  The Turkish knot is also referred to as the "Giordes" knot.  These knots has a symmetrical structure.

Designs of a Persian rug are named after the city and the local which they were made.  Here are five sections of geographical divisions:

● Northeast

    Khorasan, Turkaman, Balush, Birjand, Mashhad

● Northwest

    Heriz, Tabriz, Serapi  

● Centeral

    Bakhtiar, Isfahan, Kashan, Lilihan

● West

    Bidjar, Kermanshah, Sarouk

● South

    Kerman, Laver, Qashqai, and Khamseh

There are several factors that contribute to price of a Persian rug.

● Knot count:  One way to measure quality of the workmanship on a Persian rug is by counting the number of knots per square inch.  A rug that has 80 knots per square inch and under is to be consider a course type of rug.  Any rug between 80 to 150 is to be considered medium quality.  Any rug above 150 is considered a fine carpet.

● Quality of wool and cost of materials: There are approximately 1000 breeds of sheep, but only few types provide the wool used for carpet weaving.  The shoulder wool is the longest and most expensive.  It provides superior strength, resilience, softness, and durability.  Often the wool from different breeds of sheep is blended together.  This is done to reduce the cost of carpet.

In terms of durability, the type of wool used in the rug is very important.  The drier wool (market wool) tends to wear out faster and absorb stains more readily.  On the other hand wool rich with lanolin, which is oil found naturally in the wool, will last longer, is more resilient, and takes the dye better to produce a wider variety in color.  It also cleans much easier than a drier wool because the lanolin acts as a repellent; the way oil does with water.

● Design: Design has a direct affect on a price of Persian rug.  The more complex the design is, the more time will consume to make it.  It also requires more highly skilled weavers.

● Color: Persian rugs tend to have around 18 to 50 colors.  The more color tomes will likely cost than a rug using a few colors.  There are three types of dyes used for dying wool yarns.  Natural dyes are the oldest and derive from animal or vegetable sources.  Natural dyes are very expensive today and hardly used anymore. Aniline dyes were very acidic and faded in sunlight, and are no longer used.  Chrome dyes are synthetic and were developed to give a wider range of color as well as to produce a colorfast products.  These modern dyes are bonded to the wool with potassium bicarbonate, which makes the wool resist fading and does not harm the wool.

● Cost of Labor: Since Persian rugs are handmade and requires several months to weave, cost of labor is the biggest factor in pricing of the rug.  Village rugs tend to cost less than city rugs due to cost of living.  That is why rugs are made in different countries have different prices.  For instance, a Persian design carpet copied in China is considerably cheaper than the original Persian rug.  

● Age: Another big factor on pricing the Persian rugs is the age.  For example in, 1920's the cost of an 8 X 10 Sarouk rug from Persian was between $300 - $400.  The same carpet kept in a good condition today has a value of $15,000 - $20,000.

● Hand-knotted: Obviously, hand-knotted rugs are more expensive than any other types of rugs.

● Padding: It is always good to use padding between floor and rugs.  A good quality pad reduces the wear and tear on the underside of the rug, makes it almost impossible for the rug to slip and slide beneath you feet, also makes the rug much softer to walk on.  When choosing a pad, one must consider several factors such as if furniture will be places on top of the rug.

● Vacuuming: Vacuuming the rug once a week will restore life to the rug fibers.  When vacuuming the rugs, one must be careful no to vacuum against the nap of the rug because this presses dirt back into the foundation. Avoid vacuuming the fringe unless you are using the floor attachment, not the beater bar; continued catching of the fringe in the suction of a vacuum, causes it to break or tear.  For the best results, always vacuum with low-level suction and use a new bag.

● Sweeping and Blotting: Sweeping the Oriental rugs with a broom is the best way to remove loose dirt.  It should be swept at least once a week to help bring out the natural patina in the fiber.  To care for rugs that are displayed on walls, simply brush them lightly once or twice a month.  Blotting is the best way to prevent a spill from turning into the stain.  Always attach spills immediately, using clean towels to blot as much moisture as possible.  Begin at the outer edge of the spill and work inward.  Never rug the spill because that will make it spread.  Solid spills should be scooped up before blotting the area.  Whenever you clean a spill, it is essential that you finish the process by brushing the nap back in the direction of the other pile, otherwise, that area will always be noticeable.

● Stains: Spills of virtually any kind may be removed without permanent stain if they are treated immediately.  Particularly in the case of pet urine, be sure to dilute the spill by saturating the area with water.  Then, use towels to blot the area.  Be sure to use fan to dry the underside of the rug as well as the pile.  

● Washing: An Oriental rug cannot be cleaned effectively in your home.  Because it needs to be vacuumed repeatedly from the back in order to remove the dirt from its foundation.  It also should get wet enough in the washing process that it takes ample space and time to dry.

Depending on the amount of traffic, a professional cleaning is recommended every tow to four years.  The beauty and life of the Oriental rug are dependent on keeping it clean.  Lack of proper maintenance will contribute to a potential loss in the value of you investment.

Never use standard carpet cleaning companies to clean the Oriental rugs.  Commercial methods of cleaning use steam and chemicals that may damage or destroy rugs.  Steam will melt and strip essential lanolin from the wool fibers, and dry chemicals will burn the wool and damage the colors.  In addition, most of the damaging dirt remains deep in dense wool piles because commercial cleaning companies do not vacuum effectively.  The remaining dirt, combined with foot traffic, will causes the rug to wear out from the bottom up.

● Rotating: To insure even wear; the Oriental rug should be rotated about once a year.  Depending on the traffic, the rotation may vary from six months to two years.  You should rotate your rug from sunny areas of the room to the other side of the room to equalize the effect of the sun.  Continual exposure to direct or even indirect sunlight can cause fading of the dyes used in your rug. 

● Moths: Moths can causes permanent damage to the rugs.  Not only do moths eat the pile, but they also eat the knots on the back of the rug.  Moth problems are usually caused when rugs are in damp areas with limited air circulation.  Adequate air circulation, elimination of excess moisture, and proper storage are the best safeguards against moth damage.

● Storage: Before storing an Oriental rug be sure that it is mot-free, otherwise, permanent damage can occur to the stored rug. Then select a dry, cool place where you can store the rug, either rolled or flat.  If you opt to store the rug rolled, don't leave it rolled for more than a couple of weeks because deep creases may result.  If your rug will be stored flat, place it on a piece of plastic large enough to encase the entire rug.  Sprinkle the rug with camphor powder and then seal the edges once the plastic is wrapped around the rug.

● Indentations: From time to time, one may wish to move the rugs to another room.  If furniture leave indentations on your rug, all you need to do is spray the area with water and lift the crushed pile by brushing it upward.  Be sure to end the brushing process in the nap direction of the rug.  Use a brush with coarse bristle instead of a fine, sharp-bristled brush so the ends of the pile will be less likely to fray.