A Brief History of Oriental Rugs

It’s not exactly known when the weaving of rugs first began, however some indication can be sought in the oldest rug found to date which is the Pazyryk carpet found frozen in a burial tomb in Central Asia. This has been dated to around the fourth century BC. Judging by the quality of the weave and materials used it can be reasonably assumed the craft and art of rug weaving was established some considerable time before Pazyryk carpet.

Pazyryk Carpet

Little other factual evidence of rug weaving exists between the Pazyryk carpet and the 14th century, albeit some small remains and fragments of rugs dated around 3rd 6th and 11th century do exist. Some continuity of history to rug production originates in the Anatolian regions from around the 14th century and later in the 16th century becoming well established in Persia, modern day Iran.

Interests in oriental carpets from Western nations stems back several hundred years where there is good evidence to suggest a popular interest in oriental rugs, one early painting from 15th century depicts the Virgin Mary seated upon a throne above a rug. Several other paintings, particularly of royalty from this period onwards show a similar use of rugs.

As trade links with the Middle East became more established increasing numbers of rugs found their way over to the western market. The Dutch in particular had a strong interest in rugs and often used the rugs in paintings this in turn has helped in our current understanding of rug history.

Prior to the 17th century most rugs entering western countries derived from the Anatolian regions of Asia or modern day Turkey. A gradual increase in Persian rugs started to emerge around this period and as trade links between Britain and the Persian Safavid Empire developed more Persian rugs entered Britain. Following the establishment of the Silk Route which connected Persia to Britain via the Silk Road, a predominance of Persian rugs found their way into Britain. With the expansion of the middle classes in the 17th to 19th century oriental rugs prospered as luxury items which trigged the production of rugs for the western market across the Caucasus, Anatolian, India and China.