Today’s rugs are made from a mix of cultural variations, artistic designs, and religious connotations. In reality, carpets and rugs have been passed down through the generations as heirlooms purely for their artistic compositions. This guide will show you how carpets and rugs have evolved over the years. Continue reading to find out the history of the carpet or rug that is currently adorning your living space.
Rugs in their earliest forms.
One of the earliest inventions of man was the rug. Rugs were widely used in the Persian, Oriental, and South Western regions. These pioneer rugs were made mostly from animal hides and lacked any artistic or stylistic touch that is present in today’s floor coverings. Modern rugs were born from these poor floorings.
King of Persia Spring Carpet
The Persian king owned the Spring Carpet of Chosroes around 550 BC. Hand-knotted carpets were made from fine wool, silk, silver, gold, and an assortment of precious stones. It measured over 400 feet in length and 100 feet wide. However, the Persian kingdom attacked the Arabs and destroyed the artistic carpet. The rug is still in existence in several museums worldwide.
5th-century Siberian rugs.
Pazyryk Carpet was found at a Siberia Pazyryk burial ground. It is one of the oldest forms of modern-day rugs. Pazyryk carpets were first made in the 5th century. Hand-knotted carpets featured rich colors and artistic designs. Pazyryk carpets, unlike earlier forms of rugs, were made from fiber and featured exceptional Scythian art.
Carpets with Egyptian inspiration
Egypt was one of the first civilizations that produce hand-woven carpets. Their unique design featured geometric patterns over Ghiordes or asymmetrical knots, making them world-famous. Egyptian carpets are a result of Anatolian and Persian designs, which are the origins of modern-day carpet design.
Pile rug weaving is on the rise in Europe.
Although rugs were invented by the Asian and North African nations around 900 AD, European nations didn’t take their cue until after 1000 AD. However, Europeans living in areas like Spain, Venice, and Germany use rugs for special occasions, such as weddings and community gatherings, which is not the case with Asians who use rugs as cold protective clothing. Because of their proximity, the Spanish rugs were heavily influenced by Mesopotamia, Persia, and Egyptian designs. The vast majority of European countries were producing their own rugs in the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the European royalty and landlords were known to have their rugs replaced daily.
Modern-day carpets.
The inspiration for modern carpet designs is still from traditional carpet designs. Although the impact of early man’s craftsmanship has diminished, striking designs from the past still inspire the mass production of carpets today. The current focus is on creating rugs that enhance the aesthetic appeal of any home. You can expect to see more beautiful carpets in your neighborhood as the rug-making industry grows.
Bottom line
The art of rug weaving has been around for a long time. Even so, the original carpet designs of early carpets will inspire more carpet products in the future. You will find the history of rugs amusing as you wait to get the next amazing carpet.
