An Abridged History Of Oriental Rugs

Last updated 1 year ago

Today, Oriental rugs adorn homes, businesses, and luxury hotels. These furnishings decorate buildings in the East, the West, and everywhere in between. The history of the Persian rug is as diversified and special as the rugs themselves.

Earliest Known Rugs- Though some Oriental and Persian rugs can last for over one hundred years, the delicate fibers and dyes do not fare well against weather and other conditions over the course of centuries. Unfortunately, the earliest remnants of Persian rugs are tattered pieces. These pieces, however, tell stories of illustrious works of art that hail from the third and fifth centuries. For example in 1949, researchers found the famous Pazyryk carpet protected in a sheet of ice in a Siberian grave of a Scythian prince.

The Pazyryk Carpet- Archaeologists determined this special rug was woven in the fifth century. The rug’s extreme precision and detail led specialists to conclude that rug weaving was an art form which had already existed for at least a thousand years before the Pazyryk rug was made. Although researchers have not found another rug from this time period in such good condition, they believe Persian nomads brought the art of rug making into Sardis and Babylon between 546-539 BC.

Rugs Through the Ages- Persian rugs changed and adapted to new cultures. The Sassanid Dynasty’s (224-641 AD) most powerful people held these beautiful rugs in high esteem, and had many in their collections. When Caliph of Baghdad took over Persia from 661-861 AD, the dynasty did not make carpets, but it is believed that nomads took up the practice. Through wars and changes in dynasties, nomads continued this precious art, which was also eventually influenced by the Turks and the Afghanis.

To maintain the rich history and pristine condition of your Oriental rug, visit East Bay Oriental Rug Cleaning. We specialize in Persian and Oriental rug cleaning and repair. For more information on our services, call us at (925) 231-0918.