Carpets made in Iran (Persian carpets) are liked all over the world for their intricate patterns and the natural threads used in them and are in great demand in India too. During the Mughal period, the tradition of Iranian carpets also started in India and gradually Indian art also got mixed into it. Iranian carpets are intricately hand-woven by skilled artisans, with unique dense knots. Because of this, these carpets do not spoil for many years, but many times people sell fake carpets to you at expensive prices, calling them genuine. Know how to identify it.
Iranian carpets are also considered a symbol of luxury interiors. For art lovers, it is no less than a priceless heritage. That’s why people buy these carpets even at high prices. Apart from Bhadohi, Mirzapur of UP, you can find Iranian carpets in the markets of Delhi like Daryaganj, Handicraft Markets, etc., but it is important to know how to identify them correctly.
check the side fringes
In genuine Iranian i.e. Persian carpets, you will definitely find fringes on the edges, which are its base i.e. they are made from the threads left during weaving. Check it carefully while shopping. If the edge fringe is glued or stitched then it is a fake carpet.
check the back side
Authentic Persian carpets are woven by hand. Because of this, unevenness can be seen in its rear part, which means it will not be very finishing. In this you will see unique knots of thread and there may be slight flaws in the design at the back, whereas if the carpet has been woven by machine then it will look like finishing work from the back also and the layer may feel a little hard like plastic.
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Check its material
The identity of genuine Iranian carpet is that it is woven from wool, silk and cotton threads. Whereas if the carpet is fake then you will see synthetic fibers like polypropylene and nylon threads in it. When you touch real carpets, they feel very flexible and soft, because natural threads are used, whereas carpets with synthetic threads are less flexible and they appear more shiny and will also feel cold.
check the patterns
Real Persian carpets are made by hand and that is why you will see changes in small things in them. Like there may be a difference in color (unbrushed). Apart from this, look at the patterns carefully. There is a slight difference in these also, because these are completely hand woven. Actually, the patterns made on carpet are very fine, even if a very skilled artisan makes it, there is no guarantee of 100 percent identical pattern. In machine made carpet, you will see the patterns completely uniform.
Also read: From Uttarakhand to Rajasthan, the chutneys of 16 states of India are amazing.
try burning fiber
You can also identify Persian rugs by burn test. You try burning a small fiber of it. If it burns quickly and the smell of smoke is normal smoky, then it is made of natural cotton and wool, but if it starts melting and smells like plastic, then it could be a fake carpet made of synthetic threads.