Oushak, Persian And Turkish, Oh My! Important Questions To Keep In Mind When Shopping For Antique Rugs

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Having been officially living in Germany for exactly one week now, I am starting to settle in with a plethora of suitcases and Ikea furniture cardboard boxes littering the floor as evidence. Thankfully, Charlie already had several pieces put together when I arrived which has prevented total chaos, however some items are really better suited for the help of two people. Ikea is a furniture store favorite over here in Munich and while they do have many great items that we have added to our home as well, I haven’t wanted our house to feel as though we simply picked up the Ikea showroom and set it in our house. Seeing this, just days after my arrival, Charlie and I went scouring antique stores and flea markets to find pieces full of character. While these can be hit or miss, one of the most exciting purchases of the weekend was an approximately 9 foot long antique runner that now sits proudly in our hallway. We might still have boxes and suitcases galore, but this first fabulous rug find gives such a personal touch that instantly makes our apartment feel more like a home. See, that is the power of rugs, and in particular, patterned Oushak, Persian and Turkish rugs full of character. Varying from very traditional to eclectically modern, these rugs have such personality and there are so many important questions to keep in mind when shopping for antique rugs (or antique looking rugs). Having been inspired by my own recent find, I thought we might dive into those questions a little more together. 

What is the difference between Oushak, Persian & Turkish rugs? 

So what exactly are Oushak, Persian & Turkish rugs? More broadly described as “oriental rugs”, these rugs are generally hand knotted rugs made of wool, silk or a mixture of both that have been made throughout the Middle East. Much of the Middle East and parts of Asia, including Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, India and other countries, are known for their various techniques for rug weaves, materials and construction methods. That being said however, the Persian (from Iran) and Turkish rugs are two of the most common. It is this variety of heirloom woven art that lends to the different names and categories of oriental rugs. 

Oushak Rugs –

Oushak rugs are actually a Turkish rug variant that arose from the area of Usak, Turkey. Typically, they are characterized by larger, less intricate patterns (using organic shapes), a low to medium knot count and generally, a less colorful palette (although some modern variations have very bright colors). In comparison to Persian rugs, they are much more subtle and organically simplistic, however it is this particular quality that has made them a favorite with designers and modern consumers today. 

Persian Rugs –

In contrast to Oushak rugs, the Persian rugs of Iran are often very traditional with elaborate floral, animal and scrolling motifs in medallion shapes. Created in bright jewel toned colors (frequently reds, golds, greens and navys), Persian rugs normally have a very high knot count due to the small single loop knot structure. These rugs are complex and frequently considered very “fine” and expensive due to the higher knot counts and wool and silk materials used. 

Turkish Rugs –

Similarly, Turkish rugs use a low to medium symmetrical knot count to create bright geometric tribal designs and patterns in wool. While Turkish rugs do still pull in various motifs that are (normally!) special to the weaver, most of the pattern is much more geometric and tribal in comparison to the scrolling floral medallion work of the Persian rugs or the subtle organic free flowing nature of the Oushak rugs. 

As a subsection of Turkish rugs that is also a popular type in Afghanistan, Kilim rugs are great examples of the strong geometric and tribal patterns. While Kilim rugs have a much thinner flatweave construction that is woven by hand on a loom instead of hand knotted, they still are created with wool and are marked by the Turkish or Afghani tribal designs. 

How can you tell if a rug is handmade or machine made? 

Whether shopping online, in flea markets, rug shops or antique stores, it is important to be able to determine whether or not a rug is handmade or machine made, as this will largely affect the price. Traditionally, oriental rugs were handmade (primarily hand knotted, but also hand loomed or hooked for the Kilim variety), however today, many rug companies also machine make rugs in the Persian or Turkish style. To tell the difference, look at two key characteristics. First, look to see if the knots on the back of the rug are identical, or if they vary in size and shape. Even the most skilled artisan will have some variety in their knot size, so this can be a good indicator that the rug is handmade. Similarly, also check whether the fringe / tassels at the end of the rug are sewed on separately or are created from the yarns actually woven throughout the rug itself. Machine made rugs frequently do come with end tassels, however they are commonly added after the weaving process. 

How can you tell if a rug is high quality / what does knots per square inch mean?

Another element to keep in mind is the quality of a rug. While the quality of an antique rug certainly can be impacted by the wear it has received, there is an inherent difference in quality whether new or antique based on the knots per square inch. By multiplying the vertical knot count by the horizontal knot count in a single inch space on the back of a rug, you can determine the knots per square inch measurement. Normally, anything below 100 KPSI is considered coarse, 100 to 200 KPSI is medium and above 200 (especially up into the 300 to 500 range) KPSI is considered fine or unusually fine. As I mentioned before, Persian rugs can be much more expensive due to their high knot count because of the small single loop knotting style, while Turkish rugs tend to have a lower knot count due to their use of the symmetrical hand knots. That being said, you certainly can find varying knot counts in either style of rug and both will hold up very well over time due to the wool material. 

What to look for when buying a vintage rug? 

Now that you know all about the varying types of rug styles and knot counts, what should you really look for when buying an antique or vintage rug? While much of this comes down to personal preference on what the most valuable aspect is, I typically look for: materials, construction, condition and appearance. 

Materials –

Wool holds up tremendously well over time, is naturally odor resistant (unless gotten very wet), is naturally flame resistant, and has a long color retention life, so if you are looking for a new or vintage rug, I highly recommend sticking with something that is wool or a mixture with wool.

Construction –

Similarly, while either machine woven or hand knot construction can be a good option, I look for the signs that it has been handmade to ensure its character and longevity. I don’t necessarily care the knot count (the other factors are personally more important to me), but if my budget affords it, I prefer to find a rug that has been hand knotted. 

Condition –

If you are buying a new oriental rug, you won’t need to take this factor into much consideration, however if you are buying a vintage or antique rug, I highly recommend surveying its condition. Does it have any stains? Does it lay correctly? Is the fringe still attached or there large threadbare spots indicating thorough use? These are the key items to look for. I typically am ok with a little wear and every handmade rug is going to have character marks or gentle edges, however for your purchase to have longevity, I recommend getting one in the best condition possible. 

Appearance –

Lastly, and possibly most importantly, a big consideration when looking for a rug is the style and color! With such a wide variety of styles and color palettes displayed in Oushak, Kilim, Persian and Turkish designs, finding an option that has the colors and patterns you like is crucial to enjoying your new or vintage rug.

Should you vacuum a hand knotted rug?

Once you have found your hand knotted rug (whether antique or new), how should you clean it? Well, first off, yes, you can vacuum it! Vacuuming the rug and beating out the rug from behind, especially when you first bring it home, is a great idea to ensure that it is fully clean and nothing is trapped between the yarns. That being said, do not vacuum with the beater bar as this will pull the threads too much and eventually harm or pick the knots. 

Similarly, beyond vacuuming, you can easily spot clean should there be any spills or you can have it professionally cleaned to address stains. Thankfully most oriental rug patterns are fairly forgiving when it comes to hiding wear, but it is best to address the issues as soon as possible if something does happen to them. 

Final Thoughts

While many people have moved away from the bright Persian rugs to more muted tones or contemporary patterns, oriental rugs will always be classic and bring a level of sophisticated elegance to any space. Whether opting for geometric Turkish designs, floral Persian medallions, tribal Kilim options or contemporary organic Oushak patterns, oriental rugs can act as statement pieces of art or complementary backdrops. As they can be quite the investment to buy new (or as a very fine antique!), I personally love finding them second hand at flea markets, antique stores or on Facebook marketplace like I did for the one now highlighted in our hallway. So, what do you think? Would you lean towards the traditional Persian patterns or contemporary Oushak motifs? I would love to know in the comment section below and feel free to share these tips with someone searching for a rug!

Happy hunting!

Chloe

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Sources

“Different Types Of Rug Knots and Knots Per Square Inch / KPSI.” Nazmiyal Antique Rugs, https://nazmiyalantiquerugs.com/area-rug-guide/rug-making/rug-knots-types-kpsi-knots-per-square-inch/. Accessed 11 May 2023.

Editor, Rodney Hakim Contributing. “Antique Turkish Oushaks.” Rug Insider Magazine, 29 Apr. 2021, https://www.ruginsider.com/exclusives-stories/in-antiques/577-antique-turkish-oushaks.

Taheri, Vaheed. Top 5 Differences Between Turkish Rugs Vs Persian Rugs – Vaheed Taheri. 3 Mar. 2022, https://www.vaheedtaheri.com/turkish-rugs-vs-persian-rugs/, https://www.vaheedtaheri.com/turkish-rugs-vs-persian-rugs/.

“What Makes a Kilim Different to Other Handmade Rugs?” Lilla Rugs, 22 Aug. 2018, https://lillarugs.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-kilim-rug.