Oriental Rug Types Explained

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The term Oriental rug is actually a very broad one, covering a number of different types of rug that originate from many different places. Once you begin seriously shopping for one you will usually find that you are suddenly faced with lots of different names for what could essentially be called an Oriental rug and it can be very helpful if you actually understand what they mean.

Listing the names and types of every Oriental rug available here would be almost impossible, as there are so many. However, we can highlight some of the most popular 'sub-types' that exist within the world of Oriental rugs:

Chobi Ziegler

“Ziegler” rugs date all the way back to Iran, where production on this intricately hand knotted pieces began in the mid-1800s. The name came from the fact that the rugs were a part of a large, ongoing order placed with the Iranian rug makers by a German company, Ziegler and Co.

The name initially only applied to rugs that were specifically produced for that company but as time passed it came to cover all rugs made in a similar style. What is that style? Usually very intricately patterned and rendered in neutral, almost muted colors they have a medium knot count and are woven from the highest quality wool.

Ikat 

The Ikat design is perhaps one of the oldest known patterns in the world. In addition to being featured on rugs it also appears on all kinds of furniture and even on clothing. The Ikat pattern is one that is almost abstract in nature and almost always very bold and colorful, featuring vibrant shades of blue, green and ochre. Although the term itself is a Malayan word meaning 'to bind or wind around', rug historians are not sure where the use of the Ikat pattern in rugs originally began, as it has been observed on pieces originating from ancient Japan, Peru, Guatemala and in parts of India.

Bokhara

The Bokhara region is located in Uzbekistan and has been an area famed for the quality of its rug production for centuries. The design of these rugs is very detailed, featuring perfectly symmetrical patterns that include prominent oval motifs. A deep rich red is usually a large part of such rugs color palette, although blues and browns are commonly seen as well.

The production of these rugs was once limited to the Bokhara region only, but they are now crafted all over the world, meaning that you may encounter such terms as “Indian Bokhara” or “Afghani Bokhara” as you shop as well as “traditional Bokhara” to refer to rugs actually made in  Uzbekistan.

Persian rugs

Some of the most sought after Oriental rugs in the world, these rugs derive their name from the region from which they originated as well. Persia is the old name for Iran and although few people use it to refer to the country any longer it is still used to describe the rugs.

Persian rugs come in many different styles, patterns and colors but the fact that the craftsmanship is so good and the wool used is of such a high quality even new Persian rugs can still command some of the highest prices in the Oriental rug world.

Kilims.

A Kilim rug derives its name from the knot style used to create it. Kilims are typically lighter, flatter and somewhat rougher in texture than other Oriental rug types and indeed the term itself, derived from the Persian “gelim,” roughly translates as 'spread roughly'. Such rugs are still usually made from wool though and are known for their vibrant colors.

As is the case for Bokhara rugs Kilims are now crafted all over the world and so when shopping for one you are likely to find the name of their country of origin tacked on to the description as well.


Overdyed and Patchwork Rugs

These Oriental rug types are modern 'designer' inventions designed to breathe new life into older Oriental rugs that have seen better days. Overdyed rugs are aptly named as faded colors are literally covered up with new, bright dyes, sometimes in some less usual shades. Patchwork rugs are almost exactly what they sound like as well, with rugmakers taking pieces of old, damaged Oriental rugs and re weaving them together to form something completely new and rather cool and abstract.

As different as they all actually are all of these Oriental rug types have one thing in common; they will only remain beautiful if they are given the proper basic care, including a relatively regular professional cleaning performed by an Oriental rug cleaning in Rhode Island.  Do that and they will remain as beautiful years from now as they are today.


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