However, wool for years has been the classic choice for rug making because it offers resiliency with durability and cleanability, along with economy. In fact, all hand-woven rugs initially were made of wool, but later, the use of silk thread became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, which were then used as prayer rugs.
Soon after people learned the art of weaving, they started making floor mats from grasses and other plant materials.
Here, we share interesting evolution stories of rug-making in different parts of the globe.
1. Rug-era started from Egypt: Although the exact account of rug making is not found anywhere in ancient documents, the textile fragments dating back to several thousand years have been discovered across the Asian continent, which confirms that the first fabric floor coverings originated in Asia.
However, it was Egypt which is being credited for starting the rug era around 3000 B.C. Thereafter came improvements in weaving and designs, leading to the evolution of the rug era.
2. The first fabric made with pile: Around 400 BC came the earliest known fabric, which was made with pile. It was named the Pazyryk rug, which had pile fabrics made of materials which consisted of ordinary weave’s backing with extra threads that were knotted to form a raised surface.
3. India and rug making in the 12th century: India witnessed the start of weaving pile rugs somewhere before the 12th century AD, and soon it spread to the Eastern part of the globe. The pile fabrics knotted by hand came up in the Orient (now Sri Lanka). These rugs reached Europe around 1200 AD via crusaders travelling to the Middle East.
4. Hand-knotted rugs in Spain: The 13th century witnessed the making of hand-knotted rugs in Europe by the Arabs of southern Spain. The process of rug-making was quite widespread, as the Moors who conquered France had reportedly set up many rug factories there.
5. Rug making came up as a flourishing business in the 14th and 15th centuries: It was in the 14th and 15th centuries that rug making became a flourishing business in Persia. The business touched new heights in the 16th century. Rich colours and patterns came up in Isfahan, which became the centre of the rug industry in Persia. These rugs and the rugs made in Turkey were then imported to Western Europe.
6. Rug Making in England: The process of rug making entered England in 1500 under the rule of King Henry IV. During his tenure from 1553 to 1610, a group of Persian weavers left Isfahan and went to Paris in the Louvre Palace.
7 Rug Making in France: A carpet industry came up in France in 1628. The location of this factory was a former soap factory situated at Chaillot, France. Here, French weavers learnt the art of creating vibrant, coloured rugs on beautiful motifs. In fact, Tapestry rugs were beautifully crafted in a small town in central France, called Aubusson. Since then, it has become the carpet’s trade name. Later, Brussels emerged as an important centre of tapestry in the 16th century. Later, it became one of the principal sources of floor tapestries by the 18th century.
8. Rug making in England: It was around 1700 when England became a centre of the European rug and carpet industry. The power loomed area rug was developed here in 1780.
9. Flat-woven fabrics preferred in the 19th century: Flat-woven fabrics were preferred in rug making in the 19th century in the West, as they were quite affordable. Eventually, the hand-knotted rugs, which were expensive, could not have been afforded by all segments. However, its demand continued soaring in the 19th century as well, and it was preferred as a floor covering in rooms. Mostly, English, Italian and French furniture was used as floor covering.
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10. Machine-made rugs entered the 20th century: The 20th century era witnessed the emergence of machine-made rugs in single colours or in overall patterns. With this style, it became easier for decorators to merge one carpet colour into a room scheme. It was here that demand for bold and complicated designs went low.
11. Introduction of the tufting machine in the 1950s: The era of the 1950s saw the coming of the tufting machine in carpeting. Initially, the US became a hub of handmade tufted rugs and carpets; however, it eventually spread to other parts of the world as well.
Presently, rugs come in varying styles and are made up of varying processes, too. As the flooring styles of the houses are changing, so are carpet styles changing. Wood, laminate, stone, marble and tiles in our rooms and offices are decorated with these varying kinds of rugs, either hand-knotted or hand-tufted. Many buyers begin their search online with terms like Oriental Rugs Store Near Me to find the perfect match. Now, they come in diverse shapes and sizes to fit into the diverse needs and decorating styles of consumers.
From ancient nomadic weaves to refined regional masterpieces, the story of rugs reflects culture, artistry, and human history across continents. Each knot and pattern carries traditions passed through generations, shaping the timeless appeal we admire today. Understanding this evolution helps us appreciate rugs not just as décor, but as living heritage. To explore designs inspired by this global legacy, collections from Amer Rug offer a beautiful connection to the past while fitting seamlessly into modern spaces.
