Oriental Carpets

Oriental
Carpets refers to carpets and rugs manufactured anywhere in Asia and that
too, knotted carpets. The region of Turkey, Iran (Persia) and China are
specifically called the carpet belt as the knotted carpets apparently
originated hare amongst the nomadic tribes and spread with them.
The development of the art of handmade rugs in these countries may be seen
basically as an interaction between religious and ethnic structures. The
most famous designs found in rugs today include the numerous Persian
designs, the Turkoman allover designs, the geometric and plain tribal
designs.
Rug weaving was introduced in India by the mughals who had been exposed to
the craft in Persia. Indian Patterns are greatly influenced by the Persian
arts with slight Indian variations. The wool used in Indian rugs is coarser
than that used in Persian rugs. Pakistani rugs have the same foundation.
Afghanistan rugs usually resemble Caucasian style rugs and are similar to
those made in Turkey.
Caucasian rugs come from the region northwest of Iran. They reflect the
complex ethnography. They are very similar to Turkoman rugs. Iran and Turkey
are known for the best quality knotted oriental rugs. The patterns and
designs reflect the life and style of the tribes and villages where the rugs
originate. Chinese and Tibetan rugs look altogether different due to
difference in the wool and knotting. The motifs also differ and are
influenced by Budhiam and Taoism.
The origin of all these styles is purely nomadic. The pile is often of wool
and at times silk may be used for highlights. Silk carpets are rare projects
as they taker longer to finish. The most common foundation is of cotton.