Discover everything about Oriental rugs!

Is it a plane? Is it a bird? No, it's Aladdin! On a flying Oriental rug. Completely relaxed, he flutters into the Tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Do you dream of that at night too? Flying on your Oriental rug past motorway junction Moordrecht or overtaking the delayed train? Discover the special qualities of different Oriental rugs, dream away with our blog and you'll see that these rugs are real high-flyers!

First of all, a brief history of the rug. In prehistoric times, rugs were used primarily for practical reasons to keep living spaces warm and less damp. What it looked like was secondary. But over time, it became increasingly important to please the eye and to spruce up the living space. The rugs themselves underwent a real metamorphosis. New knotting and weaving techniques made it possible to create different patterns, prints and decorations, causing rugs to evolve into increasingly large works of art.

Exclusive rugs

Especially in the Middle East, there was enthusiastic development of increasingly sophisticated designs, causing the weaving of rugs to develop into a true art form. When trade picked up, Oriental rugs were seen as the crème de la crème in artistic terms and were mostly laid (or hung!) in the palaces of the wealthy. And to this day, Oriental rugs are top notch when it comes to rug art. However, the production has changed drastically. Where previously the nomads took on the knotting and used centuries-old traditions and techniques, nowadays only professional workshops are used for the production of genuine Oriental rugs, or 'the real thing'.

The differences between Oriental rugs

There's quite a difference between genuine 'old' Oriental rugs and the vintage rugs being made nowadays. Genuine valuable specimens date from before 1700 and are unique in their kind. Hand-woven rugs produced today can also cost quite a bit. The more man-hours, the higher the price. It also takes a long time, as often no more than 2 hours per day can be spent on a rug. The 'budget' rugs made for the Western world are machine-made, allowing prices to be kept low. Here's a brief explanation of Oriental rugs, Persian rugs, kilim rugs and Berber rugs, so you'll know exactly what you're getting.

Oriental rugs

The collective name for hand-woven and hand-knotted rugs with a pile (with one exception, see 'kilim rug'!) that originally came from the Middle East, but later were also produced in areas spread across Asia. The rugs are roughly divided into six groups, each of which has its own colours, prints, motifs and knotting techniques per region. Characteristics of Oriental rugs are:

• What makes Oriental rugs so special is the so-called 'knot density', i.e. the number of knots per dm². The more knots, the more valuable. Oriental rugs with more than 10,000 knots per dm² are not uncommon;
• The method of production varies in the use of one or two 'warp threads' and the difference between whole or half knots woven and knotted around them;
• Wool (in various forms; camel wool, sheep's wool) forms the basic material, but materials such as silk, hemp, cotton, linen and jute are also processed into Oriental rugs.

Persian rugs

Officially, only rugs made in Iran/Persia can be called 'Persian rugs'.

• However, in common parlance, the terms Persian rugs and Oriental rugs are often used interchangeably, since rugs are also produced in other regions that are based on these Persian examples;
• Persian rugs more often use a single warp thread, around which the knots are woven.

Kilim rug

What makes kilim rugs an exception to the rule when it comes to Oriental rugs is the fact that they have a flat pile.

• Due to the flat pile, Oriental patterns, motifs, colours and prints show up even better on kilims;
• Because of the flat pile, kilim rugs are relatively thin, airy and easy to roll up;
• Kilim rugs can be used not only as a floor rug but also as a wall hanging;
• Kilim rugs often have a summery look & feel and do well on dry days on the patio in the garden or on the balcony;
• Kilim rugs are sometimes used by Muslims as prayer rugs.

Berber rug

These woolly rugs have their origins in the mountains of Morocco. But because the weaving and knotting techniques are based on Oriental traditions, Berber rugs also fall under the category of Oriental rugs.

• The pile of a Berber rug is cut through, creating a woolly pile;
• The cut pile gives the prints and patterns a playful effect;
• Berber rugs are exceptionally soft and create a warm, cosy atmosphere;
• Due to the dirt-repellent properties of the wool material, Berber rugs are easy to keep clean;
• Different wool types from various regions give Berber rugs their own unique characteristics.

Et voilà, roughly the biggest differences within the spectrum of Oriental rugs. Are you already convinced of the magic of them? And do you see yourself sitting, just like Aladdin, on your new rug? Then find a matching lamp with a bit of spirit and your fairy-tale home is complete!