Who were the ‘tribes’ behind today’s tribal rugs?
“Tribal rugs” are often defined quite broadly, as rugs that were woven by the nomadic or semi-nomadic weavers of such tribes as the Belouch, Turkmen, Qashqai and Turks. These rugs can also be distinguished by their appearance, as they tend to have quite geometric motifs compared to the more floral and curvilinear motifs used on […]
How to remove a stain from your Persian carpet
The above question is one that all too many of us only ask ourselves once a stain has actually occurred – at which point, we are furiously looking up instructions that we may be liable to misinterpret, with potentially devastating consequences for our carpet’s condition. This is why we offer our own Persian carpet cleaning […]
Sharafi & Co sponsors Anne Marie K’s Central Saint Martins’ exhibition
We have always taken pride in stocking some of the most stylish oriental rugs in London here at Sharafi & Co, so we are delighted by any opportunity to further affirm our fashion credentials. That has been the case with the new exhibition at Central Saint Martins by one of the legendary art and design […]
What are the most expensive oriental carpets ever sold?
While you are browsing the many highly affordable Persian rugs in our clearance range, it may interest you to learn more about some of the oriental carpets that have previously changed hands for much more generous sums. Persian rugs have consistently been purchased for staggering amounts For the first example of an oriental rug that sold for […]
What is a kilim rug?
Among the many terms that you may encounter when you are perusing oriental and Persian rugs is ‘kilim’, which refers to a flat tapestry-woven carpet or rug. These items are produced from the Balkans to Pakistan and have been found to date back to at least the fourth or fifth century CE in Hotan, China. […]
5 interesting ways to use your oriental style rug
Such is the reassuringly traditional exotica that the finest oriental rugs exude, when you acquire your own oriental style rug, it may be tempting to simply use it in a very traditional way. However, oriental rugs are also works of art that tantalise and reward the imagination. It may therefore make sense to use yours […]
Are Persian Rugs A Good Investment?
Persian rugs can be good investments if you make the right choices. Those who own an antique Persian rug passed on from previous generations will vouch for its durability. While Oriental rug antique collectors will tell you, a diligently chosen Persian rug is unlikely to decrease in value. Persian rugs offer the buyer a resale value that a mass-produced modern rug does not. Even […]
Some of the problems that may lead you to enquire about oriental rug repair
Whether or not you have previously used our oriental rug repair and restoration service here at Sharafi & Co, you might be interested to know of some of the problems that are commonly presented to us and how we can tackle them to bring a rug back to the best condition. Damaged fringes It is […]
The Ardabil Carpet – the most prestigious of all oriental rugs in London
The oriental carpets and bespoke rugs that Sharafi & Co offers for the delectation of admirers of such works of art in London may be – if we dare say so – exquisite in their own right, but they are also part of one of the world’s noblest carpet-making traditions. For an even deeper sense […]
A short history of antique Persian rugs
While, here in the UK, there are undoubtedly many admirers of the aesthetic of antique Persian rugs, there is not always much thought given by many buyers to such pieces’ rich heritage and broader cultural associations. Indeed, the Persian rug is inextricably bound with the fascinating history of what is now Iran. For more than 2,500 […]
