If you like to decorate your home with exotic and attractive pieces, Oriental rugs are just the thing for you. These rugs are a far cry from the modern rugs or contemporary rugs that you come across. They are magical and yet practical pieces of furniture for the modern home that needs a little bit of jazzing up.

What are Oriental rugs exactly?

As a broad classification, any hand woven rug that is made of wool, cotton or silk can be called Oriental rugs. Some of the most beautiful rugs are woven in Egypt, Uzbekistan, China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and India. They have a tradition of weaving rugs that dates back to thousand of years.

Interesting facts about Oriental rugs

The oldest existing rug is over 2500 years old. It has been found frozen in permafrost for all these years. It is known as the Pazyrk Carpet and is on permanent display at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

Persian rugs are also Oriental rugs, but they have been specifically woven in Iran. Persian rugs are the leaders in the category of rugs.

Most Oriental rugs have an average size of 9 x 12. Weaving them by hand would take the artist a minimum of 3000 hours, leaving aside the time that is required to prepare the dye, design, loom and so on.

What should you consider while buying Oriental rugs?

The things that you should consider while buying the Oriental rugs are color and the combination of colors in the rug. Apart from these, you should consider the design of the rug. The quality of wool that has been used in the rug is also very important as this will determine how long the rug will last you.

You should avoid rugs that are woven out of dead wool, or wool that has been taken from the body of butchered sheep. You can identify this wool by touching it. It is very dry to touch and has a hard, rough feel that makes it worth almost nothing.

On the other hand, Oriental rugs that are made from good quality wool with actually develop a special sheen when it is walked on for a long period of time this makes the rug even more precious. Pick up the side of the rug and see how much it weights. A rug that is hard wearing will have a good body. Silk rugs on the other hand are much lighter. It is cold to touch and had a shine that makes it worth a lot.

If you are buying an old Oriental rug, you should check the rug thoroughly for any sign of repairs and patches that have been sewn back. Check the rug in a lighted space and make sure that there is no lax restoration done. Some restorer will just color up a part of the rug to make it look new, but after a few days the patches will show.

Oriental rugs are intricate works of art and their patterns have the ability to surprise you even after a long time. Enjoy the beauty of these magical carpets at your own leisure.