Reading a Persian rug label or listing

Origin words

'Made in Iran' or a named Iranian town is a claim about origin. 'Persian design', 'Persian style' or 'oriental' is a claim about looks only, and is often used for rugs woven elsewhere.

• Made in Iran: origin claim, ask for proof
• Persian design or style: looks only
• Oriental: a broad trade word, not an origin

Material words

'Kork' means fine under-fleece wool. 'Art silk' or 'bamboo silk' usually means viscose, not silk. 'Silk highlights' means only some areas are silk.

Knot density

KPSI (knots per square inch) or raj counts describe density. Higher density allows finer drawing but does not by itself mean better colour, wool or value.

Questions to ask

Ask the seller where and roughly when it was woven, whether dyes are natural or synthetic, whether it has been repaired and whether they will accept a return after an independent check.