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.