A Meshad rug, also spelled Mashad, is a Persian carpet associated with Mashad in the Khorassan region of Iran. These rugs are often hand-knotted in wool and known for floral patterns, medallion compositions, formal borders, and large room-size formats suited to refined interiors.

Many Meshad rugs on the antique market are considered antique Persian rugs when they are typically 100+ years old. Later Mashad carpets may be vintage or semi-antique depending on age. Buyers should review each rug’s stated period, materials, construction, condition, and provenance details rather than relying on the regional name alone.

Meshad rugs share Persian workshop refinement with Tabriz and Kirman carpets, but they often have a strong Khorassan character: generous scale, formal floral drawing, layered borders, and distinctive medallion or allover layouts. Tabriz can be more architectural and finely drafted, while Kirman is often associated with curvilinear floral elegance and varied color effects.

Meshad rugs work well in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, libraries, galleries, and formal entry spaces. Large and oversized examples can organize expansive rooms, while runners suit long halls. Softer beige, tan, ivory, and pale blue palettes are especially useful in contemporary interiors that need an antique Persian foundation without heavy color.

Important factors include size, age, weave quality, wool, foundation, pile condition, restoration, palette, design type, and how the rug will be used. A collector may prioritize rarity, workshop attribution, or signature, while an interior designer may focus on scale, color harmony, durability, and whether the pattern works beneath furniture.