Style Guide
Persian, Oushak and Moroccan get used loosely in rug marketing — often as shorthand for “nice traditional rug” rather than anything specific. Here is what actually separates them, using real pieces from our current catalog.
Fine Rug Store by Wahi · 8 min read
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01
Persian: defined by region and formal structure
“Persian” isn't one style. It's a category of rugs from historical weaving centres within Iran — and from India and Pakistan, where the same design traditions are woven — each centre with its own signature look. The common thread is a structured pattern grammar: a central medallion, a defined border, corner pieces that echo the medallion, all built from centuries-old regional templates.
Tabriz
Tight, formal medallion-and-corner compositions. Same tradition, wildly different scale depending on the piece.
Persian Tabriz in Black & Red — 6' Round
SKU W459 · 100% wool · $1,050
The classic dense central medallion, here on a round format.
Fine Persian Tabriz in Blue & Ivory — 12' x 18' Palatial
SKU W1148 · fine wool · $10,140
The same design tradition at a scale that takes a genuinely long time to hand-knot — the price gap is weaving hours, not a different style.
Kashan
Known for fine wool-silk blends and detailed floral work.
Fine Persian Kashan in Beige & Green — 3' x 5'
SKU W123 · wool-silk blend · $950
A compact example of the wool-silk construction Kashan is known for.
Heriz
Bolder, more geometric medallion work, sometimes reinterpreted in tribal colour palettes.
Tribal Persian Heriz in Red — 2' x 4'
SKU W532 · 100% wool · $259
Heriz geometry rendered in a tribal palette, at accent-rug scale.
Our full Persian rug guide goes deeper on how Tabriz, Heriz and Kashan differ from one another.
02
Oushak: open fields, softer colour, less formal symmetry
Oushak — also called Anatolian or Turkish Oushak — comes from a design tradition centred in western Turkey. Instead of dense, tightly structured medallions, Oushak patterns spread across the field with more negative space and softer, often oxidised or naturally-dyed colour transitions.
Turkish Oushak in Gray & Beige — 8' x 10'
SKU W11362 · wool-silk blend · $2,700
An oxidised silver wash mutes the palette toward a faded antique rather than a bright new rug.
Oushak Chobie Runner in Beige & Rust — 2'6" x 8'
SKU W437 · wool, natural dyes · $700
Woven in Afghanistan — the Chobie sub-style, with natural dyes, a soft wash and an intentionally worn-in look.
Colorful Turkish Oushak in Blue & Ivory — 8' x 10'
SKU W11233 · 100% wool · $950
Not every Oushak is muted. Same open layout, brighter and more tribal-influenced palette.
If a “Persian” looks dense and symmetrical and an “Oushak” looks airier and more weathered, that isn't a coincidence — it's two different regional design vocabularies.
03
Moroccan: a different construction entirely
Moroccan rugs, rooted in Berber tribal weaving from the Atlas Mountains, differ from both Persian and Oushak in construction, not just pattern. Traditional Beni Ourain and Tulu-style rugs use a looser knot and a longer, thicker pile — built for warmth and durability in mountain homes, not for displaying fine detail.
Moroccan Tulu Thick Pile in Beige & Brown — 8' x 10'
SKU W1023 · 100% wool · $1,200
A direct example of the looser-knot, longer-pile Tulu construction.
Moroccan in Beige & Gold — 3' x 5'
SKU W175 · 100% wool · $182
The same bold, asymmetrical Berber geometry at accent-rug scale.
Where Persian and Oushak patterns are about detail work, Moroccan rugs are about texture and boldness — fewer, larger shapes, and a pile you feel underfoot before you notice the pattern.
04
Telling them apart at a glance
| Persian | Oushak | Moroccan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Dense medallion, defined border | Open field, looser composition | Bold geometric shapes |
| Colour | Rich, saturated | Softer, often faded or washed | Neutral grounds, high contrast |
| Knot & pile | Fine knot, low pile | Fine knot, low-medium pile | Looser knot, thick pile |
| Feels right in | Formal, traditional rooms | Transitional spaces | Modern, casual rooms |
05
Which one for your room
All three are hand-knotted and all three can be genuinely excellent pieces. The right choice is less about which style is “best” and more about what the room is doing.
- Want a formal anchor for a traditional living or dining room? A Persian medallion piece — Tabriz or Kashan — does that job.
- Working in a transitional space that leans neither fully traditional nor fully modern? An Oushak's softer palette and open field bridges the two without fighting either.
- Furnishing a modern or casual room where texture matters more than intricate pattern? A Moroccan's thick pile and bold geometry is built for exactly that.
Not sure a listing's style label is accurate? Our guide on spotting a genuine hand-knotted rug covers how to verify construction before you buy.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between a Persian and an Oushak rug?
Persian rugs follow a structured pattern grammar — a central medallion, defined border and corner pieces — in rich, saturated colour. Oushak rugs, from western Turkey, use more open fields, looser composition and softer, often washed or oxidised colour. Persian looks dense and formal; Oushak looks airier and more weathered.
Are Moroccan rugs hand-knotted like Persian rugs?
Yes, but with a different construction. Traditional Moroccan Beni Ourain and Tulu rugs are hand-knotted with a looser knot and a longer, thicker pile, built for warmth and texture rather than the fine detail of a Persian weave. Both are genuine hand-knotted rugs serving different purposes.
Does an Oushak rug have to be made in Turkey?
The Oushak tradition originates in western Turkey, but rugs in the Oushak style are also woven elsewhere. The Chobie sub-style, for example, is often woven in Afghanistan with natural dyes and a soft wash. As with Persian rugs, the style name describes the design tradition, and the country of weaving is a separate fact.
Which rug style is best for a modern home?
Moroccan rugs suit modern and casual rooms well, since their bold geometry and thick pile add texture without competing with clean lines. Oushak rugs work in transitional spaces thanks to their softer palette. A washed or muted Oushak and a neutral Moroccan both sit comfortably in contemporary interiors.
Why do two rugs in the same style vary so much in price?
Mostly size and knot density. Two Tabriz rugs can span from around a thousand dollars to over ten thousand purely on scale and weaving time — a palatial 12x18 represents vastly more hours than a small round. Fibre content, such as a wool-silk blend, adds to the cost on top of that.
Three traditions, one collection
Every piece is hand-knotted, with the design tradition and weaving origin listed separately. Browse Persian, Oushak and Moroccan rugs side by side.
Browse the full collectionShop at finerugstore.com