Growing up I always heard these two rug types spoken of with a certain reverence. What makes them better than say a ‘French’ rug or an ‘Occidental’ rug?
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Antique Persian rugs have a lot of personality. You can identify them, sometimes to the exact village, from the wool; from the weave; and from the colors. Village and tribal rugs at least were woven from memory within a local tradition. The weaver improvised variations of color and shape within her traditional structures. They’re like jazz in that sense: they have a form (like a chord progression in jazz), but a talented weaver could express herself within her tradition (like an improvising soloist). A pattern that looks regular isn’t really regular at all. It’s in perfect balance, however. They’re fine art that you can walk on.
I’m referring to old rugs here. Especially after WW2, many regions started to use machine-processed wools and cheap synthetic dyes that ran when washed. And the patterns became stereotyped. They became tourist goods. Still labor-intensive, but usually not at the same level of pride in craft and individual personality.
That said, some of the natural-dye productions starting in the mid 1980s were a true return to tradition. Some modern rugs are as good as any ever made.
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