Persian Rugs Stand The Test Of Time

Persia - modern day Iran - was once the most powerful empire in the Middle East, standing at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations. It is known as the home of the original oriental carpet, and they are often generically referred to as "Persian rugs". Having originally been created out of need by nomadic tribes, Persian carpets became treasured heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next. The oldest surviving carpet, the well documented Pazyryk carpet, is over 2000 years old. This carpet was discovered in a Scythian tomb in southern Siberia in the 1940s and has been dated between the fourth and fifth centuries BC. Its weave is of such exceptional quality that carpet weaving of the period must have been a well engineered and highly efficient art.

Weaving flourished to exceptional heights through the Safavid Dynasty (1502-1736), and exports of Persian carpets began in the 16th century. Royal factories were set up, using the finest materials and manufacturing methods. Soon Persian carpets became the envy of the world, and western royal households sought to possess some of the finest examples. Production of carpets in Iran continues today, but whereas there use to be large city workshops, much production these days is more like a cottage industry from smaller villages and towns. The critical thing about a genuine Persian carpet is that it is hand-made. Even with a team working on a carpet, a single item can still take many months, even years, to complete.

Persian carpets are famous for the tremendous variety in design, colour, size, and weave, and as each one is hand-made, for uniqueness. Plants, roots and other natural substances are used to create the dyes used in the carpets, meaning there are subtle variations of the same colour, particularly those woven by nomadic tribes or in older carpets. Carpets have been made from the same materials for centuries: wool, cotton or silk. Sheep's wool is the most common, but goat's wool can also be used. In tribal weaving wool is traditionally used for the foundation, but sometimes cotton or even silk can be used to enable smaller knots to be tied, which allows the manufacturer to create a finer carpet with more intricate designs. In general terms rugs are named after the village, town or district where they are made, or by tribe that weaved them if by nomads. The particular pattern, palette, and weave attributes of each rug are uniquely linked with weaving techniques and culture of its makers.

Tags:History of Persian Rug Design Oriental Rugs Antique Persian Rugs Persian Rug Dealers Persian Carpet Area Rugs Tabriz Rugs Types of Persian Rugs Persian Rug Cleaning Pakistan Rugs Price Persian Carpets Persian Rug Appraisers How to Make Persian Rugs Tribal Rugs Timur the Lame