Rug History
A To Z of Rugs
Hand made rugs and carpets have existed for nearly 2,500 years. In fact the oldest known surviving rug has been dated to the fifth century BC. Residing in the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad, the Pazyryk Rug, as it is now known was found in the Pazyryk Valley in the Altai mountains. Carpets from this period were probably made by nomadic peoples as floor coverings for their tents and were probably the only furnishings to be found inside.
Rug Making Regions Explained
Iran has a rich tradition of craftsmanship by tribes such as the Qashqai, the Lur and the Bakhtiari as well as from the magnificent Safavid period, when carpets were woven around hunting and garden themes. Both Nomad and village dwellers created rich and varied weavings, featuring stylized shapes and geometric patterns.
Tips on Maintaining Handmade Rugs
It is advisable, and in the long run cost effective, to have your carpet professionally repaired at the first sign of damage. It is the tension in the foundation threads that holds the rug together, if these are broken the carpet can unravel at an alarming rate. Also, never use glue or sticky tape on your carpet. Unfortunately glue is sometimes used on the back of carpets to prevent damage spreading.