Rug Identification
Rug Identification
Rug Identification tests whether you can read a rug's origin, weave, and construction before making any cleaning decision. The exam expects you to distinguish hand-knotted from machine-made rugs, recognize knot types, and identify flatweaves and regional styles.
Core rules and concepts
- Hand-knotted rugs are tied to a warp; the fringe is the continuation of the warp ends, the selvage is bound, and the back shows individual knots. Slight irregularity, abrash (natural dye striation), and a dense, flexible hand are normal.
- Machine-made rugs are uniform, often latex-backed, with sewn-on fringe and a straight, rigid edge. Tufted rugs are gun-applied through a primary backing and held by latex, not knotted.
- Knot types: the Ghiordes (Turkish) knot is symmetrical and tied around two warps; the Senneh (Persian) knot is asymmetrical around one warp. Neither is a cleaning instruction by itself.
- Flatweaves: kilim is slit tapestry; soumak is wrapped brocade; sumac and jajim are other flatwoven structures. They have no pile and often unstable dyes.
- Regional tells include palette, border system, medallion layout, knot density, and foundation fiber; use them as clues, not proof.
Worked example
A rug has a cotton warp, wool pile, asymmetrical knots, visible abrash, a bound selvage, and no latex. The pile is flexible and the back shows individual knots. Conclusion: hand-knotted, likely Persian-type. Plan a controlled wet wash with dye testing, not a low-moisture latex-safe method.
Traps
Assuming a fringe proves hand-knotting (machine fringes are sewn on); calling abrash fading; confusing tufted with knotted; and treating a regional attribution as certainty.