How to tell a real hand-knotted Persian rug

The short answer

Look at the back. A hand-knotted rug shows the design clearly, knot by knot, with small irregularities. The fringe is the end of the warp threads, not sewn on. Machine rugs look perfectly even, often have a stiff backing and a fringe stitched on afterwards.

Quick checks

• Back: clear design, small uneven knots
• Fringe: continues from the rug's body
• Edges: hand-wrapped, slightly uneven
• Shape: slightly irregular is normal
• Pile: fold the rug to see knots at the base of the pile
• Label: 'Persian design' or 'Persian style' is not origin

Hand-knotted vs. hand-tufted

Hand-tufted rugs are made with a tufting gun and usually have a glued cloth or latex backing. They are not knotted and are not Persian rugs in the traditional sense.

Made in Iran?

Iranian-style rugs are woven in many countries. Structure helps, but origin is best supported by the seller's written statement, invoice and knowledgeable identification.

When in doubt

Ask an independent specialist. This guide cannot confirm that a specific rug is genuine.