Oriental Rugs – A Brief History

If you’re thinking of buying an Oriental rug, you may find the brief history of Oriental rugs below a good starting point:

What are Oriental Rugs?
Any rugs produced in Asia can be referred to as Oriental rugs, and include:
• Persian rugs – made in Iran (formerly Persia), the country that produces more handmade rugs than all other rug-making countries combined, and are considered by many to be the finest
• Afghanistan rugs – still woven mainly by nomadic tribes
• Indian rugs – mostly imitation of Persian designs, but of coarser wool
• Pakistan rugs – from the country that is the fourth largest rug producer in the world
• Caucasian rugs – from the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, and characterized by bright red, rust, or burgundy colors, bold geometric designs, and narrow borders

A Brief History of Oriental Rugs
During the past century, Oriental rugs have become valued throughout the world as a work of art. With their rich history and colour, Oriental rugs are often referred to as the aristocrat of all carpets and it has been said that they have, “the ability to transform interior spaces into extraordinary spaces”. Collectors often justify their attraction to these handcrafted Oriental rugs by explaining that they wish to own a small piece of the rich history and beauty behind this art form.

It remains unknown exactly what point in time the first Oriental rugs were woven, but historians are certain of one thing - that the technique of knotting carpets was begun by the nomadic tribes of Central Asia. The rearing of sheep, the prime source of carpet wool, is a traditional nomad occupation as people of this period had to endure extreme cold. Therefore, it's likely that the craft of weaving developed to replace the use of rough animal skins for warmth. The nomadic tribes produced small rugs typically decorated with geometric motifs which were inspired by plant and animal forms. For the nomad, the Oriental rugs were both decorative and practical, serving as floor covers and wall hangings, but also as curtains and saddlebags.
It was primarily through Italian merchants that Oriental rugs became recognized and valued in Europe. Venice early established itself as a major trading trader with the East. Venetians spread Oriental rugs along their narrow streets, hung the rugs from windows and used them to decorate their gondolas.
By the early 16th century, Oriental rugs could be found in the great courts of Europe, including those of Catherine de Medici and Charles V. The Lord Chancellor of England, Cardinal Wolsey, is reported to have purchased 60 Turkish carpets from a Venetian dealer to furnish his palace at Hampton Court.
After the great exhibition of 1891 in Vienna, Western interest in Oriental rugs began to increase, and the Americans soon followed suit. Western importers began asking the carpet-makers to modify dimensions, colour and design, to satisfy the tastes of Europe and the Americans.
Today, almost all of the Oriental rugs of the world are made in Asia.  Other countries either don't have the skill to weave such carpets or higher wages for workers make it almost impossible to compete with the prices of Oriental rugs. It's important to note that any handmade rug is completely superior in quality to a machine made rug because each knot has been individually tightened by the hand of a master weaver.
If you would like to order an Oriental rug or find out any further information about Oriental rugs, please contact Karel Weijand on 01252 726215 or email: carpets@karelweijand.com