Traditional Rugs

Many people own all sorts of floor rugs at home. One type of rug that you may own or have seen is the traditional rugs. Traditional rugs of today are actually based on traditional designs which are synonymous with the Oriental and European designs and that were made centuries ago. These designs are adapted from the Indian, Turkish and Persian rugs, as well as the Aubusson and Savonnerie rugs.

The history of these rugs seems to span many centuries. For Oriental rugs, it can be said that they evolved from the court carpets that were woven in both the Persian Safavid period, which is between the periods of 1490 to 1720, and the Mogul court weaving tradition between the years 1550 to 1750. The origins of the Oriental rug designs come from these art historical carpets. Those days, court carpets were actually very fine rugs that had complex curvilinear designs. These designs were layered on top of each other which resulted in the illusion of space.

Rugs with the medallion layouts made their appearance in the 15th and 16th century. One important design theme in these area rugs then was the metaphor of the garden and subsequently its association with the gardens of paradise. Back then Oriental rugs also used designs that had some mystical and religious themes. Today, many of the designs that we find on traditional oriental rugs still use designs that were once popular in 16th century Western Asia palaces, mosques and churches.

In the case of the European rugs, right up till the 17th century, the rug and carpet weaving centers were found mainly in England, Spain and France. These centers produced mainly commissioned Coats of Arms rugs for the Kings, Lords and Noblemen of that time. The centers also produced decorative rugs which were inspired by the Persian and Turkish rugs.

It was during the French Renaissance that the most significant change in these European designs took place, where the Savonnerie and Aubusson design houses produced complex and ornate floral designs. It was also the Savonnerie and the Aubusson design houses that introduced carpets with designs that were a reflection of the elegant ceilings of the Chateau that they were specially made for. Today we are lucky to be able to find rugs with these similar design influences, using the medallions and florals of the Savonnerie and the Aubusson to make our homes more beautiful.

Today, we can effortlessly enjoy these traditional rugs with their geometrical shapes and curvilinear designs, bright and contrasting colors, as well as elaborate and intricate designs. These rugs make a great complement in any home. Regardless of your existing furniture and current décor theme, you will surely be able to get the best looking traditional rug to suit your tastes.

These days you can easily find and purchase these traditional rugs in many different styles. You can make your decision and choose from a wide selection of Persian rugs, Turkish rugs, Tibetan rugs, Indian rugs, Kurdish rugs, Central Asian rugs, Chinese rugs and many more.

These traditional rugs can also be found in many materials, sizes, shapes and types, like the large area rugs, small accent rugs, runner rugs and even prayer rugs. The beauty of an authentic traditional rug is that it is normally hand woven or hand knotted and is made of wool, and sometimes use cotton or even silk. The dyes are also natural where plant-based dyes are often used. These rugs are woven by skilled craftsmen using weaving techniques and traditional patterns and designs that have been passed down from one generation to the next over the centuries. This is why you will find the authentic traditional rugs being sold at a much higher price than other rugs.

However, today, you can still enjoy the beauty of these traditional rugs without spending a lot of money, which is with synthetic rugs that are made using the traditional designs. These rugs are often made using polypropylene, acrylic or nylon and are mostly machine woven. They are sold at a much more affordable price compared to the hand knotted rugs.

Traditional rugs can instantly transform the look of your home and make it more beautiful and stunning.