If you've lived in the Middle East for any period of time, odds are you have been surrounded at least once by billions of threads made from wool, cotton and silk. With a glass of steaming tea cupped in your hands, you watch as the salesperson tosses shimmering tassels into the spotlight. Slowly, Iranian carpets form a colourful mound at your feet. Since moving to the UAE more than two years ago, Attif Hellal, the owner of Tabriz Carpet Exhibit, has presented me with hundreds of carpets at his shop in Sharjah's Blue Souk. And every time he describes one, declaring its age, origin and design, I nod my head knowingly, convinced that, this time, I shall finally commit the information to memory.
But in reality, it takes a great deal of experience to identify the finer points of these intricate rugs. With dozens of types and designs, and centuries of history, these Iranian masterpieces are as mysterious as they are beautiful, with the slightest details determining whether they're worth the coins in your pocket or a several months' salary. With the help of Mr Hellal, Personal Finance unravels three hand-made Persian carpets.
Origin Spun in the small town of Nain, in the centre of Iran, this simple carpet is no more than five to 10 years old, and measures 120cm by 200cm. Allure Splashed with dark, earthy colours, the fabric feels rough to the touch. That's because just 25 per cent of the material is silk, while the rest is a blend of wool and cotton. The wool, Mr Hellal explains, has been taken from the back of a larger sheep, making the fibres coarse. "This is the biggest difference between carpets - the material inside," he says. The strands have been woven at just 300 to 350 knots per inch, which partly accounts for the low resolution and unexceptional colour. Also, on this specimen there is no signiture or name stitched along the edge. Premium carpets made by well-known families will always have this detail woven into the fabric.
Unravelled This Nain features the classic medallion motif, a traditional Arabic design inspired by the domes of mosques. With lower grade material and poor detail, it won't serve as your home's showpiece. But this carpet is ideal for hallways, and its tough exterior will pass the test of time.
Origin The city of Qom is located in the north of the country, not far from Tehran, the capital of Iran. This piece is about 30 to 40 years old, and runs 130cm by 220cm. Allure Like sunlight breaking on waves, this Persian carpet shimmers as its unrolled before you. No wonder - it's made of pure silk. "Qom should always be 100 per cent silk, with blind eyes," Mr Hellal says. "But sometimes they put wool or plastic in it. You need to check how smooth and clear it is." With a red-brick border framing whites, blues and greens, the material is so smooth you can literately wrap yourself up for an afternoon snooze.
Meanwhile, unlike the Nain, the back is almost as soft of the front, which is considered one of the hallmarks of premium-grade carpets. Another indicator is the signiture along the edge, certifying that its been expertly spun by a noteable Iranian family. Unravelled As a symbol, the boteh design, named after the Farsi word for immature flower, has a wide interpretation, resembling the flame, pine cone and tear drop. It's shine, colour and smoothness makes it appropriate as a prized wall hanging rather than a floor covering.
Origin Isfahan, Iran's third-largest city, has long been one of the country's foremost centres for Persian rugs. This hand-made masterpiece is at least 50 to 60 years old, and measures an impressive 170cm by 270cm. Allure Every stitch of the carpet pops. While it might feel like you're wearing 3D glasses, the effect is purely natural, with an incredible 1,000 knots or more per inch. Comprising 75 per cent silk and 25 per cent wool, only the finest quality materials were used.
"The wool comes from young lambs," Mr Hellal says. "It's taken from the legs and shoulders, where it rarely rubs against anything or exposed to the sun." Similar to the Qom, the material is extremely smooth and shiny, and the visual display of reds, browns and blues will change depending on your vantage point. The creation is crowned at the top with the name of the city and family, and framed on either side by the Iranian flag.
Unravelled Covered with larger-than-life roses, and interwined with green and blues vines, this work of art would be a dazzling showpiece in any home. The striking combination of both silk and wool lends it more durability, making it destined for your dining room floor.