Introduction: The Timeless Beauty of Vintage Rugs
Vintage rugs represent a unique category of rugs that blend nostalgia, artistry, and timeless appeal. While the name might conjure up images of old Persian carpets tucked away in antique shops, these rugs have recently gained popularity in contemporary interior design. In this guide, we’ll explore the types of vintage rugs, how to identify them, and what makes each style distinctive. Generally, the term “vintage” refers to objects—especially artistic or fashionable ones—that belong to past decades or are newly produced to reflect old-world charm.
In the rug industry, vintage pieces must evoke a sense of belonging to a previous era while remaining visually compelling and culturally significant. Vintage rug design is characterized by its aged appearance, often featuring faded colors and distressed textures. These features are essential, as vintage designs typically avoid abstract or modern patterns, instead embracing the aesthetics of classic rug-making traditions.
To explore our full collection of wholesale vintage rugs, visit the Shahrokh Carpet vintage category page.
Different Types of Vintage Rugs According to Their Production Methods
Vintage rugs are not always truly old. Their antique-looking appearance could come from the design basically or result from the treatment that is done on a rug. In general, there could be three types of vintage rugs:
- Original Vintage Rugs – Rugs that are half a century or more old. What would they look like? They are already showing signs of wear caused by using them too much. Their colors are not nearly as bright as new rugs. They have faded. This fading effect has probably caused some parts of motifs to disappear. Even it may be covered by a yellowish patina. Surprisingly, not only have all these apparently aging effects not decreased its charm, but also have it enhanced its value as a cultural heritage especially if it is in a Persian rug design or oriental one. This type of vintage rug is priceless because of its authenticity. You will buy something that must be shown in a museum and should be maintained and taken care of carefully and skillfully.
- Artificially Aged Rugs – Hand knotted rugs which are newly woven but in the finishing process, they are washed and trimmed by special techniques and acids to look like antique rugs. These rugs may be intentionally distressed or be under sunlight for days to lose their color brightness. Also, their colors may be over dyed by some other skillful treatments just to make them look softer. This must be the effect that you expect a truly antique rug to have. This type of vintage rug is not as expensive as original vintage rugs, and they are not covered by real patina. However, the treatment techniques have their own real effect on the texture and color of vintage rugs and should be kept properly.
- Rugs in Computerized Vintage Designs – Machine-made rug design created by computers with special effects that illustrate signs of wear, fading, and patina to achieve a vintage appearance. Such rugs are woven by machinery. They are neither old nor treated by special finishing techniques. Just skillful editors spend time revising each pixel of ordinary design to recreate over-dyeing and sun-fading effects on the rugs that are neither over-dyed nor sun-faded. Such rugs are totally new and more affordable. Their pile yarn material is usually chemical and has the advantages and disadvantages of other machine-woven rugs. To explore pictures of such vintage machine-made rugs, you can see wholesale vintage rugs of Shahrokh Company and enjoy the timeless beauty of vintage rugs.
Identification of Types of Vintage Rugs According to Their Design Styles
Regardless of the production methods of vintage rugs (whether they are made by hand or machine), they are usually discussed regarding their design styles. As far as oriental rugs are concerned, Persian rugs and Turkish rugs are more common in vintage appearance. However, vintage style could be discussed in any other subset classifications of oriental rugs.
The identification of types of vintage rugs is not that difficult. When you want to identify a vintage Persian rug, for example, and recognize its difference with a vintage Turkish rug, first you should know the features of Persian rugs basically regarding knotting techniques, designs and patterns, color palettes and weaving regions. Then it would be easier to identify how they are different from Turkish rugs.
Look at the carpet backing and examine the knots. Persian knots are asymmetrical. However, Turkish knots are symmetrical. Then touch the surface of the rug. Persian rugs feel softer, and more like silk rugs while Turkish rugs feel a little thicker and rougher. Finally, you should compare their colors. Persian rug colors are richer and deeper like red. However, the colors of Turkish rugs have more earthy tones such as brown and mute blue. When you can distinguish their styles, you can consider vintage style as a group of effects on them.
Types of Vintage Rugs with Pictures
To enhance your skills for identification of these two vintage rugs designs you can see the types of vintage rugs with pictures. Images of vintage rugs are self-explanatory. Comparison of ordinary rugs with vintage rugs makes everything transparent at the first glance. Aged appearance of You could visit the website of Shahrokh company and see different colors of the vintage Turkish rug called Mamluki in the collection of silk rugs produced by Shahrokh Company. Then you could compare its pictures with the picture of vintage Persian rugs named Janet, Roja and Rastin in the collection of 1200-reed acrylic rugs produced by this company. More vintage designs are available in this rug collection of Shahrokh Company and you could always visit their updated catalog on the website of this company.
Conclusion
Choosing the right vintage rugs could depend on your knowledge of this type of rug and your skill for their type identification. Through this article, you read about the fundamental characteristics of vintage rugs and their definition. Also, some vintage rug production methods were discussed to help you with its types and unique features. For reliable access to high quality wholesale rugs, you could contact Shahrokh Company to see how you can expand your selection and take advantage of their expertise in this context.
