Traditional area rugs exude an air of mystique. Their origin is often debated but not precisely known. It is undisputed that they have been crafted for thousands of years by skilled tribes devoted to weaving. Since that time, their beauty and superb craftsmanship have been demanded by royalty from east and west. Certainly, the fact that area rugs have been fixtures in palaces contributed to their demand and their association with wealth and class. It also contributes to their lure. Likewise, the use of traditional area rugs as a source of magic, transportation and even teleportation in literature certainly has added to their intrigue. Considering this context, it is understandable the popularity of these rugs throughout the world and why traditional area rug designs are emulated by rug manufactures.

This article will introduce the basics of traditional area rugs. A complete analysis of the topic is ambitious, cumbersome, and beyond the scope of this article. Part I will address area rug semantics; specifically, the distinctions between oriental and Persian area rugs. These differences will be highlighted throughout the article. Part II will provide a brief history of traditional rugs. Part III will explain traditional area rugs knots and construction methods and Part IV will discuss the types and qualities of fibers used to weave them.


If you are trying to buy a Persian oriental rug you have a decision to make and should consider reading this article. You may also be wondering: is there a difference between Persian rugs and oriental rugs. The easiest and most brief answer is yes and it starts with geography. Persian rugs are made in Iran, formally Persia, and oriental rugs are those made in the orient or east (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China). Obviously, the term Persian rug is more frequently misused because it is a more specific term. Technically, all Persian area rugs are also oriental; of course, the inversion is not accurate.

Where is Persia?

As noted, Persia is now Iran so the term Persian area rug can only be correctly applied to antique rugs made prior to 1945, when the country’s name changed. In other words, true “Persian” rugs cannot be made today. It is a fine distinction, but worthy of noting for the sake of precision. 
 

Distinctions Beyond Geography

The semantics of geography, however, only tells a small part of the truth in defining a traditional area rug. Imagine asking “what is the difference between a German and Korean car?” and getting a purely geographic analysis. Surely, where the product is made is important but is only the start of the discussion. Examining how and even why traditional area rugs are made there is more telling. Indeed, fiber, knot construction, and an area rug’s design separate a Persian and other oriental rugs on issues beyond mere geography.

 
This section will briefly examine the history of traditional area rugs and begin the discussion of how they are different. As noted, it is unknown where area rugs were first made.  In fact, the issue is complex and disputed among scholars, as evidenced in the debate surrounding the origins of the Pazyryk Rug. Regardless of where rug making began it is widely believed that Persia perfected rug weaving and transformed them from pragmatic floor coverings to works of art.

The Pazyryk Rug: The Worlds Oldest Area Rug

The Pazyryk Rug, considered the worlds oldest area rug in existence, dates to the fifth century B.C. It was found in 1949 by Russian archeologist, Sergei Rudenko. Rudenko discovered the rug preserved in ice at a Scythian burial site in the Altay Mountains of Siberia, which are near the northeastern border of Mongolia. The find's controversial issue involves its origin: Was the rug made where it was found or was it imported from Persia? The evidence supporting the argument it was imported is the Persian Achaemenian design. The fact that it was found buried with a Scythian prince supports the possibility that it was imported from Persia.
 
Regardless of the debate of its origin, the Pazyryk Rug proves beyond doubt that pile weaving area rugs existed at least as early as the fifth century. It is important to note the possibility it existed elsewhere and that it was from Persia. Obvious, the fact that ancient area rugs were made of all natural fibers that deteriorated over the centuries must be considered. The point is that pile woven rugs may have existed elsewhere and earlier than the fifth century; however, evidence is unlikely to exist considering deterioration and Persia’s climate. Consider the weather of Persia and its likely effect on a rug over the period of hundreds of years. It is likely that the Pazyryk Rug only survived where it was found because it was preserved in ice.

 From Simple Floor Coverings to Works of Art

Area rugs were first woven as a matter of necessity. They were used to cover the dirt floors of crude nomadic homes and to provide added warmth. Certainly, as the craft developed they were used to add color and style to the structures they occupied.  Eventually, they became a medium for the artistic expressions of their weavers.

Royal Luxuries & Popularization

 
Eventually, royalty and the wealthy coveted area rugs and owning one became a status symbol to display in their palaces.  As travel, war, and resulting conquests unfolded the process of rug making spread with cultural diffusion and further popularized the craft of rug weaving.
 

Constructing early traditional area rugs was a discipline of attrition and perseverance. Making a hand-knotted Persian rug could take a team of craftsmen months and even years to finish. This is still true today; however, work conditions and tools have improved. Construction also marks an important point of divergence between Persian and other oriental area rugs.

Types of Knots

There are two types of knots used to make traditional area rugs. First, there is the Persian Senneh single knot. Second is the Turkish Ghiorder knot, which produces a double looped knot rug.
 

Persian Senneh Single Knot

Weavers constructing a traditional hand-knotted Persian area rug by use the Persian Senneh knot. In this process the weaver threads a strand of wool under one warp and then over and around the next warp, which divides the two ends of the strand. In this method a knot occupies less space. The importance of this is that it allows for more knots per square inch and a more detailed area rug. There is a direct relationship with the number of knots in an area rug and its quality. Of course, the more knots a rug has, the more time and effort it also took to make it.  The Persian Senneh knot also provides for a more accurate and symmetrical area rug since the knot can open in either direction.

Ghiorder / Turkish Double Knot

 
The other type of knot traditionally used to weave a hand-knotted area rug is the Turkish knot. Also known as a Ghiorder knot, it is double looped. A rug weaver using this method passes the strands of wool yarn between two warps and then back under one. The yarn is then wrapped around both warps, which forms a collar. Finally the weaver pulls the wool though the center causing both ends to surface between the warps forming the area rug pile. The result of this method is less knots per square inch and blocking effect of the rugs design. This reduced number of notes is especially noteworthy since it is a general rule that the higher the knot count, the higher quality the rug.

 
The basis for any fine area rug is the fibers used to construct it. Even the most skilled rug craftsman is dependent on having quality materials to weave. A traditional area rug made with poor quality fibers will always reveal its flaw to a keen eye or hand and to time no matter how well it was constructed.  Indeed, the worth of an area rug starts with the quality of its materials. Fiber is also a major point of divergence between a Persian and all other oriental area rugs.  
 
Wool is the most frequently used natural fiber in rug making. There are many reasons for this including its durability, aversion to crushing, and its natural stain resistance.  Generally speaking, Wool is the perfect fiber for weaving quality area rugs.

Persian Wool Area Rugs

This is especially true in Persian wool rugs. The climate of Persia (modern Iran) is extremely advantageous to wool production. The areas near the cooler mountain regains of Iran produce the finest Persian wool. There, sheep grow longer and finer wool than from sheep in warmer climates. The result is a rich luxurious feel in Persian wool rugs and a pile that never feels dried out or stiff.

Because of this, Persian wool area rugs are among the worlds finest. As noted, they have been woven in Persian for thousands of years and have been a central part of Iranian culture. For this reason, the historic quality of Persian wool, and their unparalleled skilled craftsmanship, many rug experts hold that no competition can rival the superiority of a Persian wool rug. Moreover, Iran (modern day Persia) constructs more hand-knotted Persian wool rugs than the pooled production of the entire world.
 

Oriental Wool Area Rugs

While other producers of traditional area rugs use wool, it is rarely on par with what is produced in Persia. Rugs crafted in India are an example of this. Their wool is coarser and somewhat stiff compared to Persian wool. This is apparent when attempting to fold an Indian made rug. Conversely, some areas of Pakistan make oriental area rugs with wool that is very lush and soft. These Bokhara rugs use a limited color range but are very well constructed. It is important to note that the techniques used to make these rugs were learned during the Persian empires rule of Pakistan.  These rugs are the closest to being comparable to traditional Persian wool area rugs. However, Pakistan and India does not share the long tradition of rug weaving that is apparent in the quality and majesty of those made in Persia.

Chinese Silk Area Rugs

Traditional area rugs produced in China were usually made using natural silk. The primary reason for this is China’s immense silk production and expertise. At some points in time, China viewed wool use as a barbaric practice and avoided working with it. Chinese silk area rugs are beautiful works of art. Accordingly, they are very expensive.  They are also less durable and delicate when compared to a well-made traditional wool area rug.