These Countries Help Craft the Most Elegant Rugs in the World

Time and time again, the world has proven that it’s filled with different wonders—including the magical hands of artisans. Evident in the pieces they make, artisans from different cultures promote diversity that provide plentiful options for connoisseurs and novices alike. 

A product of this diversity is elegant rugs that are well-celebrated all over the world. Culture and personal style are crafted into these luxurious pieces that make them ultimately unique and valuable. 

With that being said, let’s take a look into the different countries that produce elegant rugs. 

Afghanistan

Due to events that transpired in Afghanistan, several civilians sought refuge in Pakistan and Iran. This contributed to the difficulty in identifying rugs authentically made in Afghanistan and ones that were made by refugees in Pakistan and Iran. 

However, distinguishable characteristics of Afghan rugs are their color and patterns. Rugs from this country come in the usual red color, designed with octagon geometric patterns. On several occasions, Afghan rugs can be blue in color. 

Iran

Perhaps the most valuable rugs were made from this region, with Iran being the present-day Persia. The 2,500-year old practice of hand-weaving rugs has gone through the several generations of war and trade which influenced the techniques and patterns each rug has. 

Traditional Persian rugs are usually dense, with more than 160 knots per square inch. Rich colors and distinct knots separate these rugs from other traditional rugs. 

India 

Carpet weaving wasn’t introduced in India until the mid-1500s, when the great mogul Akbar brought in Persian weavers to impart their precious skills to Indians—to initially create rugs for his palace. 

The distinct colors of pink, green, yellow, and light blue characterize these Indian rugs from other traditional rugs. More so, Indian weavers hand-weave hunting scenes, floral patterns, and animal figures onto their rugs. 

China

A bit younger than their Persian counterparts, the art of weaving Chinese rugs is estimated to be around 2,000 years old. These rugs were often used in imperial courts. 

Traditionally, these rugs are made from thin warp threads of cotton and thick, large knots. Patterns on these rugs were often influenced by porcelain and silk pieces—sometimes, religious symbols distinguished by dragon patterns. 

Morocco

This Northern African country has taken over the world in raves, especially when connoisseurs sought earth-toned, minimalist rugs to style their homes. 

Rugs were often weaved to withstand the cold climates of the Atlas Mountains and the harsh heat of the Sahara desert. A common characteristic for Moroccan rugs are its earth-tones and unique patterns. 

No two rugs are alike given that weavers of such rugs tell their stories through the patterns. Famous rugs, such as the Beni Ourain rugs, are often made with cream-colored wool and unique patterns and symbols. 

America

Unlike other countries, the United States has but a brief history of hand-woven rugs. It was only during the colonial times that carpet weaving was introduced in the country—with the first factory in Philadelphia in 1791. 

Encountering problems in imports, rugs were often made from scraps of cloth. Styles such as the Karnak Wilton, later known as Mohawk carpet, became popular in the 1920s. It was followed closely by the Karastan rugs that employed similar techniques to how oriental rugs were made. 

In the 1930s, the tufting technique known as the chenille was developed along with the first mechanical machine.