Odds are you do not know that you are able to tell the country from which an Oriental rug originated just by looking at the style and design. Many people view Oriental area rugs as having a defining style, when really they have many different styles depending on the traditional patterns and materials common to one area.

I am unable to tell you in depth about Oriental rugs as experts study the rugs for years learning about the materials, the colors, the patterns, and the weaves that are characteristic of the different areas, but here is a little rundown.

Indian Rugs

If you have looked to buy an Oriental rug in the United States, chances are you were looking at a rug made in India. Indian rug producers are able to make rugs in designs that originate in almost every other country.

You are able to generally buy an Indian rug pretty cheap compared to other countries. However, just because they make rugs from all over the world does not mean they do not make rugs for their culture. The Indian dhurrie rug, which is a flat-weave rug of either wool, cotton, or other natural fibers, is created in a variety of traditional and contemporary patterns, and is one of the rugs that originated in the country.

Persian Rugs

When you hear the words 'Oriental rug' this is the type of rug you think of. Persian rugs are easily the most recognized style of any of the Oriental rugs. Persia is now Iran but they still have a reputation for making some of the highest quality and most beautiful rugs. The traditional designs have the name of the tribal region where they were made, such as Tabriz, Kerman, Sarouk, and many others. The intricate geometric patterns and floral designs are a hallmark of Persian Oriental area rugs, and because of that they are among the most sought after and valuable of all Oriental rugs.

Turkish Rugs

Turkish rugs are very prized not only for their beauty but because most of the Turkish Oriental rugs are between 50-75 years old. During WWI the Turkish rug industry was disrupted and it took nearly 50 years for the industry to regain its footing in the country. The Turkish government is now encouraging Oriental rug weaving as an industry and the rugs that are now being produced are striking in their rich use of traditional design and color.

These are just three of the many countries that make Oriental area rugs. You should now see how complex Oriental rugs are but how if you study just a little bit of your rug you are able to pretty much tell from what country, and sometimes area, the rug was made.