History of Antique Persian Rugs

Antique rugs can add a look of warmth and elegance to a home’s décor.  The beautiful, rich colors and patterns of an antique Persian rug makes these items among the most well known floor coverings available.  As wonderfully detailed as these woven masterpieces tend to be, so is the history of their existence. 

The art of carpet weaving can be traced through recorded history.  The first written documentation of antique Persian rugs appeared in Chinese writings from over 1500 years ago.  An unusual archeological find in 1949 of remnants of what is called the Pazyryk carpet was found to be over two thousand years old.  Though examination of this carpet indicated a long history of developing advanced weaving techniques, such ancient finds are unusual due to the properties of natural fiber, which degrades over time.  In what remnants that have been found from so long ago, it is often difficult to tell much about the weaving techniques or patterns because of their worn out nature.  As techniques and trends changed over time, little is known about the true origins of these old rugs.  As time progressed, wool and silk antique Persian rugs were valued by royalty and sometimes cut into fragments to distribute among victorious soldiers as spoils of war. These carpets were not only floor coverings, but used as wall decorations and status symbols.

Though historians believe that most aspects of the creation of these carpets has been altered slightly over time, the most common materials for the rugs has stayed the same.  Wool and silk are the desired materials in the newer as well as the antique rugs.  Wool carpets are the most common, as silk is not as durable.  The rich history surrounding the creation of these floor coverings are a large part of the surprising variety and complexity of the patterns available on the old rugs.  The decorative representations of a multitude of cultural and historical elements make antique Persian rugs a desirable home accent.  Common motifs present include architecture, plant life, geometric patterns, and other all-over patterns that make each rug special.

Antique rugs have traditionally been woven by hand, which is a part of why they have been considered so valuable.  Depending on the skill and experience of the weaver, rugs can have a wide range of complexity and quality.  The highest quality rugs, of course, would require more time to complete.  The increased time taken to make the rug by hand meant that each work of art would take months to complete.  When looking for the perfect rug, research and contact with an antique rug dealer online or in person can help find the right accent for the home.