Rugs and carpets have been produced in the city of Agra since the early 16th century. Agra was the Mughal capital from 1566 to 1569 and again from 1601 to 1658. Many fabulous rugs and carpets were made during the Mughal Empire and can still be seen in the great museums through out the world. The rugs and carpets manufactured in Agra today are still a great product, being hard wearing and available in very large sizes. Most tourists who venture to the city of Agra will visit the world famous Taj Mahal mausoleum which is still a sight to behold.

The Persian town of Nain located 100 miles north east of Isfahan has only been producing rugs and carpets since the 1930s, despite this short history the weavers of Nain are among the best in the world, and are now famous for producing rugs and carpets with traditional cream or white grounds with intricate blue design which is often inlaid with silk.

Meshed is the capital city of the Iran's largest province Khorasan (land of the rising sun). It has been the third holiest Shia Muslim site since 818AD when Ali ar-Rida was interred near the tomb of Harun-ar-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid caliph (AD 786-809). The rugs and carpets of Meshed are finely woven, with a distinctive burgundy red colouration. Other well known rug producing villages with in the Khorasan province are Asghand, Birjand, Dorosch, Kashmar and Moud.

The Persian city of Hamadan was once the capital of Darius the Great. This celebrated old Persian King ruled during the Achaemenid empire from 522BC-486BC. Rug weaving in Hamadan has only been notable since around 1900, but the city soon became the commercial centre for over seven hundred villages in the area, some of which have been weaving rug and carpets for many centuries. The majority of rugs produced in these villages are woven with a single weft technique which results in a distinctive weave pattern.

The historically important Persia city of Isfahan has been designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Isfahan has many beautiful historic monuments being the former Persian capital during the Safavid dynasty in the sixteenth century. Rug production during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries has produced many valuable examples which can now be seen in the great museums of the world. Around the end of the seventeenth century the production of rugs and carpets woven in Isfahan ceased and wasn't revived until the 1920's. Great master weavers such as Serafian have achieved great acclaim within the rug world and examples of his work can achieve very great prices.    

The city of Kashan in central Iran has been renowned for its fine rugs and carpets for centuries. Similar to many other important Persian city's, the production of rugs and carpets virtually ceased after the Afghan invasion in the early eighteenth century. The late nineteenth century saw a revival of the craft led by the governor of Kashan Zufilkhar Ed Din Mochtashem. The fine carpets of that era were produced using fine merino wool and are often referred to as Motashem Kashans these carpets are among the best ever produced in Iran.

The Persian city of Tabriz was recorded by Arab historians as an important centre for weaving as early as 800AD. But it was at the end of the nineteenth century, inspired by an increasing western market that Persian weavers revived the industry. Hajji Jalil was probably the most famous master weaver and his carpets are renowned for their soft colours. You can see a great example in gallery three of a mahi design Tabriz carpet size 2.50m x 2.02m.

Have a look in gallery three at this fabulous old Persian Qashqai rug circa 1920 size 1.94m x 1.18m. The Qashqai tribes live in the mountains around the historically important city of Shiraz, being the birth place and burial for two of Iran's greatest poets Sadi and Hafez. Also being close to the ancient Persian capital Persepolis makes Shiraz a great city to visit.

I was lucky to find this very fine antique Persian Senneh rug circa 1900 size 1.92m x 1.28m. The design of stripes of cream and terracotta inlaid with small repeating leaves is very unusal, and is often referred to as the shawl design. Senneh rugs are produced in the Persian Kurdistan area of Iran, in the town now known as Sanandaj. You will find a photo of this rug in gallery three.

I have recently acquired this beautiful old Persian Sarouk carpet. Dating from around 1920 this type of Sarouk was produced with the western market in mind, and are known in the trade as American Sarouks. This example has particularly soft tones and is presented in exceptional condition. The size is 4.00m x 3.20m, great proportions for your dining or living room. Please view this wonderful carpet on gallery three.