Mir Rugs

A wonder of elegance: the timeless appeal of Mir rugs

Immerse yourself in the world of Mir rugs and discover the masterpieces of the Orient. Every pattern is like a painting and is unique in itself. The pattern is the most important feature of a Mir rug: it unites the tradition of the knotting region with the passion of the knotter. A rug from the Orient thus embodies the soul of the knotter and the traditions of their region.

A knotter can spend up to four years on a single piece. The knotters work from a design template typical of the region. This template is usually used only once and then varied. In the countryside, village and nomad families knot Mir rugs without a template, yet the designs of neighbouring villages resemble each other in colour and pattern.

Why choose Mir rugs?

Classic Mir rugs are hand-knotted and originally come from the Saraband region south of Arak in western Iran. Indian reproductions based on the Persian model are known as Indo-Mir. In many knotting regions, Mir rug production is the livelihood of the knotters and the other craftspeople involved. Short distances between suppliers and workshops allow efficient production. This regional network is passed down from generation to generation.

Materials

Classic Mir rugs are made from natural fibres. Natural fibres are divided into plant and animal fibres. In the vast majority of cases the pile is new wool, while the warp and weft are cotton.

The new wool used often comes from the region itself, which benefits the local businesses involved. It is odour-neutral and has a high lanolin content. This makes the rugs hard-wearing and durable.

The natural fibres used help create a balanced indoor climate and can also be combined with underfloor heating. Besides new wool, other natural yarns such as kork wool, cotton or silk are used.

Colours

A Mir rug is rich in colours and nuances. A warm red is typical as the ground colour, together with blue, ivory and dark brown. Multicoloured rugs suit almost any interior, whether classic and oriental or modern and minimalist.

After they are made, hand-made rugs need to lie in the sun for more than a month so that the colours can fade sufficiently. This time is often not allowed in the supply chain, which is why it is no wonder that a rug may still fade a little in your home.

To make sure it fades evenly, the rug should be turned every two years. In some cases it only reaches its final colour after ten years.

Suitable for every interior

Hand-made rugs come in all common shapes. Rectangular rugs are the most common. Two special forms of rectangular rugs are square rugs and long, narrow rugs, known as runners. Round and oval rugs, on the other hand, are much rarer.

Mir rugs look good in any room. Their timeless oriental design outlasts every trend. They can be laid in almost any room, whether a bright living room or a cosy bedroom. Even stains are hardly noticeable: the finely drawn patterns make small stains almost invisible. Unlike high-pile rugs such as shaggy rugs, Mir rugs are fine and short-piled. This is why they can also be displayed as wall hangings. Bring oriental culture into your home and appreciate the creativity and years of hard work of the knotters.

Mir rugs are an investment in the future. Don't be put off by a higher purchase price. Classic Mir rugs pay for themselves through their long lifespan. With regular care and cleaning, they can be handed down for generations. They are also relatively stable in price and lose little value.

Unique patterns

The patterns reveal the precise work of the rug knotters. The careful handwork is what makes a Mir rug so valuable. Typical is the Mir-e-Boteh: small, teardrop-shaped paisley motifs that fill the entire field in staggered rows. Every pattern is unique in itself, and yet there are family resemblances within a group of rugs. With their colours and patterns, Mir rugs bring plain, modern interiors to life and create a cosier atmosphere.

Our quality promise

Every one of our rugs undergoes a careful quality check. Only once it has passed do we offer it for sale. So you can buy your rug with confidence.

FAQ about Mir rugs

What makes Mir rugs so special?

Mir rugs originally come from the Saraband region south of Arak in western Iran and are famous for a single pattern: the boteh repeated across the entire field. They are knotted in new wool on cotton using the asymmetrical Persian knot. Indian reproductions of this model are called Indo-Mir and are knotted in northern India.

How are the colours of Mir rugs achieved?

Traditionally, Mir rugs are dyed with natural dyes such as madder for red and indigo for blue. Newer pieces and Indian Indo-Mir rugs are often dyed with lightfast synthetic dyes, which give an even, rich colour. The ground is usually a warm red, and the botehs have dark outlines.

What are the features of a genuine Mir rug?

A genuine Mir shows a continuous boteh pattern without a central medallion and a main border that often repeats the boteh on a light ground. The pattern is clearly visible on the back, and the fringes are the extended warp threads. Persian Mir rugs have around 120,000 to 300,000 knots per square metre, Indo-Mir rugs around 100,000 to 250,000.

Which patterns characterise the Mir style?

The hallmark is the Mir-e-Boteh: small almond- or teardrop-shaped motifs with a curved tip, known in the West as paisley, which fill the entire field in staggered rows. They usually sit on a red ground and are framed by a border that takes up the boteh again.

What shapes and sizes do Mir rugs come in?

Besides standard rectangular sizes, Mir rugs also come in other shapes, for example round, as runners or oval. Square formats are rarer.