Oriental rugs and textiles

Antique and semi-antique Afghan rugs are mostly made by Turkmens of the Ersari tribe. The rugs are often with large Turkmen guls in shades of red.

The war rug tradition of Afghanistan has its origins because of Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in 1979.

Anatolia is the Asiatic part of Turkey and carpets and rug weaving is a traditional ancient craft dating back to at least the 13th century.

The Balouch (Baluch, Beluch) pile rugs are usually small and in dark colours.

Carpet weaving in India can be traced to the beginning of the Mughal Dynasty in the early sixteenth century where Indian craftsmen adopted Persian techniques and designs.

Caucasian rugs are primarily village rugs and normally display geometric designs in primary colours. The Caucasus is the area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

The carpet production in China were probably introduced between the 15th and 17th centuries and the patterns inspired from Chinese porcelain and other art. These Chinese carpets were popular in the imperial courts during this time.

The historical East Turkestan is a part of the Xinjiang Region of China. Khotan and Kashgar are oase cities in Xinjiang and Khotan is the source of most rugs labelled East Turkestan rugs.

Ancient Egyptian carpets include Cairene carpets and Mamluk carpets. Damascus carpets, attributed to Syria, is connected to the rug art of the Mamluk rulers.

Carpet production in Europe has especially taken place in France, England, Spain and Ireland. The earliest Spanish carpets are dated back to the 14th century.

Explore iconic rugs from history in our photo gallery. Learn about their significance and unique artistry.

The most well-known Jewish rugs are Bezalel rugs and Marbediah (Marvadiah) rugs made by Jewish weavers in the first quarter of the 20th century in Jerusalem.

Kurdish Rugs are rugs woven by Kurds.  Kurdish groups populate the eastern part of Turkey, northern Iraq, western Persia and areas near Persia’s eastern borders. Many rugs labelled “Kurdish” are from the eastern part of Anatolia.

The Kyrgyz inhabits primarily Kyrgyzstan but are also found in other parts of Central Asia.

Traditionally, Moroccan rugs have been woven for their domestic purposes rather than for decorative purposes. Moroccan rugs may be thick with a heavy pile, making them useful for the snow-capped Atlas mountains.

Present days handmade rugs from Pakistan are often knotted by Afghan refugees and carpet production is an important export product. The Bokhara design is often seen in contemporary Pakistani rugs.

Explore Persian rugs with an introduction and photo gallery. Carpet making in Persia is an ancient art and craft. Persian rugs and carpets are woven by nomadic tribes, in villages and in town work-shops as well as in royal court manufactories in former times.

The Shahsavan are a nomadic pastoralist tribe located in northwest Iran and in the southern part of Azerbaijan. They migrate between their winter quarters in the Mughan steppe and their summer quarters around Mount Sabalan in the Ardebil province.

The photo-gallery with Textiles includes collectable and tribal textiles from around the world. Suzanis, Ikats, Swedish weavings, African textiles, Ottoman embroidery and more.

Making Tibetan rugs is an very old traditional craft. Tibetan rugs are most often made from Tibetan highland sheep’s wool. They are often made for domestic use as sitting mats, floor coverings, wall hangings and saddles.

Turkmen rugs are made by Turkmen tribes who are the main ethnic group in Turkmenistan in Central Asia. Turkmens are also living in Afghanistan and Iran. Their weavings include carpets, door hangings and bags of many different sizes.

Central Asian rugs also include Uzbek rugs made in Uzbekistan. The most well known Uzbek rugs are the Julkhurs, long coarse sleeping rugs, and rugs made by Uzbek Karakalpaks.