Rugs coming from a broad geographical region starting from China and Vietnam in the east.

Oriental wool rugs

The group of oriental rugs includes rugs coming from a broad geographical region starting from China and Vietnam in the east, to Turkey and Iran in the west and the Caucasus from the north to India in the south. People from different cultures, countries, racial groups and religions are involved in the production of oriental rugs. By their country of origin the rugs can be divided into Persian rugs, Anatolian (Turkish) rugs, Kurdish rugs, Caucasian rugs, Central Asian rugs, Turkestan rugs, Chinese rugs and Tibetan rugs. The region of Turkey, Iran (Persia) and China are specifically called the “carpet belt”. It is considered that the production of piled carpets via knotting has appeared as a nomadic craft and therefore has been spread with nomads.

The authentic oriental rugs are handmade. As a nomadic craft, they have been primarily made of sheep and goat wool. Furthermore they have developed towards application of finer or shorter yarns. The finest wool fibres come from Turkey and Persia. Khorasan and Kirman are also famous for their fine and velvety wool, used in production of rugs with soft handle. The wool from the Caucasus and Central Asia is stronger, being at the same time suitable for production f wool rugs with lustrous pile.

Oriental wool rugs are either piled carpets with knots or woven carpets without pile. The specialists consider that any other way of production, which includes machines, does not lead to production of authentic oriental carpets. The pile is made from wool, but silk yarns may be used in some knots for highlights. Cotton threads form the most common foundation for knotted rugs.

The Persian weaving traditions influence the wool rug weaving in many countries. Indian patterns, for example, are very similar to the used in Persian rugs, with slight Indian variations. However there is a big difference in the material used: the fibres in the wool spun yarns used in Indian rugs are coarser than that used in Persian rugs. Pakistani rugs have the same origin.

Iran and Turkey are known for the best quality piled oriental wool rugs. The motifs used in the rugs reflect the real life of the particular village where the carpet was woven. The wool rugs from Afghanistan remind the rugs made in Caucasus and Turkey. Caucasian rugs come from the region northwest of Iran and reflect a complex culture and ethnography. Chinese and Tibetan rugs look altogether different due to difference in the wool and types of knots. The motifs are also different due to the influence of Buddhism and Taoism.

The quality of the piled rug depends on the knot density. As greater is the number of knots, as compact is the pile and higher the quality. Usually the knots density is measured in kpsi, which means number of knots in square inch. A very good quality knotted wool rug may have from 330 knots per square inch.

Having such a rug of high quality you need perfect maintenance. Together with the regular vacuum cleaning you have to think about professional care in order to enjoy as much as possible the cosiness of having oriental wool rug at your home.