FAQs

For sofas, an 8×10 or 9×12 Islimi rug typically anchors seating with front legs on the rug. Leave 8–18 inches of floor around the perimeter.

Quality varies, but many city Islimi rugs exceed \~120 KPSI; Nain grades (6-La/9-La) and Isfahan pieces can reach several hundred KPSI.

Flip it—hand-knotted Islimi rugs show clear knots and the design on the back with no glued mesh. Tufted versions have fabric backings.

Islimi is curvilinear scrollwork; Herati (mahi) is a repeating diamond with “fish” leaves; boteh (paisley) is a droplet-shaped sprout. All can appear in Persian rugs.

Expect ivory, indigo/navy, rich reds, and soft turquoise; Nain-style Islimi rugs often use cream, light blue, and navy.

Wool piles with silk highlights are typical; some fine Islimi rugs are all silk. Cotton or silk foundations are common in city weaves.

Both. The curvilinear Islimi motif reads classic, but in tonal palettes or large scale it suits contemporary rooms beautifully.

In Islimi rugs, rumi are split-leaf forms and hatayi/khataei are stylized blossoms. They often intertwine with palmettes inside the scrolling vine system.

Spot continuous S- and C-curves of vines with stylized leaves, buds, and palmettes. The scrolls feel “infinite,” with no obvious start or end.

Isfahan, Nain, and Mashhad frequently showcase Islimi rugs. Classic palettes include ivory, navy, and red with silk highlights in fine city pieces.

Islimi motifs run through fields, borders, spandrels, and around central medallions. Look for unbroken spiral stems linking rosettes and palmettes across the design.

Largely yes—Islimi is the Islamic arabesque rendered as biomorphic scrollwork. In Persian contexts it often pairs with Shah Abbasi (palmette) flowers and medallions for an elegant curvilinear look.