Fewer and fewer Iranians are opting for a job in one of the oldest trades in the country. Carpet knotting requires a high degree of patience and a great deal of experience. In addition, the filigree work on the looms is not uncommon. An Iranian proverb says "May your hands never hurt".
Fewer and fewer new recruits in the field of knotting also means rising wages in this trade, because the smaller the supply, the higher the price. And this is having an effect on the historical market of Persian rugs. Prices have doubled in the last decade. A square metre of the highest quality in production costs up to €4,000. Even if this may represent an extreme, the price shows: Persian carpets are not cheap, but always a piece of hand-knotted art. In only few countries of the world the century-old handicraft can be found. In Iran, it is one of the most significant in the country. But also in Nepal, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, craftsmen knot high-quality carpets, some of which take months.
In the past, oriental carpets decorated the palaces and homes of wealthy citizens. They simply served as a status symbol. Everyone wanted a real Persian in their living room. Only genuine with certificate and high knot density. It was not until 1873 that Sheik Naser ad-Din helped the Persians to fame. His opulent lifestyle and carpets left a lasting impression on his contemporaries. A 19th century influencer, you might say. But after about 100 years of success, demand slumped, including a slightly dusty image. The young generation wanted to get away from their parents' furniture and try something completely new.
What lasts a long time also retains its value. Persian carpets have been making a great comeback in recent years and this is now affecting the entire Western world. Even delivery bottlenecks are not uncommon, according to dealers. Moreover, the more expensive rial - due to the lifting of trade restrictions in the nuclear dispute with Iran - could also lead to more expensive prices on the carpet market in the future.
Whether as a curtain in front of a concrete wall or floor decorations on parquet - the design possibilities and variations are endless. As are the designs of modern Persians. From Instagram to beautiful living and a wide variety of furniture stores: all want to place oriental design as a floral contrast to the cool living atmosphere of minimalism.
And the distant future? As with any product, uncertain. But it is the paradoxical situation of turning away from the carpet that gives the Persian carpet new wings. Hardly anyone still lays carpet from wall to wall as a solid floor covering. Parquet, stone and vinyl won the flooring competition. But many a person's feet freeze on the couch in the evening when they stand on natural stone for too long. And then the longing for a soft, warm and cosy Persian comes again.
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