A brief history of the ancient craft of rug-making

Although they do not really race through air at breathtaking speeds as ancient legends suggest, Oriental Rugs – a classification that includes all hand-knotted rugs from Asia –have a history that is truly storied.

Although the Oriental rug-making has its roots in Turkey, Persia, the Caucasus and Turkestan, it nomadic tribes spread the distinctive intricate weaving skills to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, India and China, and Spain
No one knows exactly when nomadic tribesmen began weaving carpets to protect them from the harsh desert conditions, but in 1949 archeologists excavated a burial mound in Southern Siberia and discovered a frozen carpet that dated back to the 4th or 5th century B.C.

The earliest rugs covered dirt floors in tents, shielded doorways and windows, and served as decorative wall hangings and as saddles. Because works-in-progress were regularly quickly stowed and transported to new locations, they acquired certain irregularities and inconsistencies, which only added to their intrigue and value.
Here are few historical highlights:

• A rug for the the Persian King Chosroes (531-579) was made of wool, silk, gold and silver and studded with precious stones;
• The "Golden Age" of Persian rug making lasted more than 200 years – through the fist half of the 18th century. The rugs of this era are legendary for the blended colorings and original designs.
• The celebrated world traveler, Marco Polo described Turkey's 13th century rugs as the most beautiful he had ever seen.
• Holbein Rugs were so-named because distinctive Turkish rugs were often features in the paintings of the German artist Hans Holbein.
• Venice spread Oriental rugs to the West. Eventually they were found in all the great courts of Europe.
• As they became popular again in late 19th century, the colors and sizes of the rugs were altered to respond to the tastes of Western customers.
• Demand from the West throughout the 20th Century led many importers to offer an increasing array of traditional, modified traditional and custom-designed rugs.