Many designers and design publilcations are saying antique rugs are the
hottest thing right now in the home decor market. Fancy resorts, hotels and
other high end destinations are all jumping on the band wagon.

Rugs which many consider a precious investment, due to thier age and value,
are now found in the hippest interior designs.

Why are they so valueable?

Hand woven carpets such as these are a living history, recording memorable
people and events. Passed down from generation to generation as family
hierlooms, these antique rugs are an important part of world culture. Some
consider them their most prized posessions, since these antique carpets are
works of art which have several pratical uses.

Skilled craftsmen and designers
spend hours weaving intricate patterns and images into them. No wonder they have
been used like currency for thousands of years. One of our oldest artforms,
described in writings of the ancient Egyptians and Marco Polo. Hand woven rugs
are made by many different cultures across the globe from South America to Asia.
Although, unlike many art forms, they have stood the test of time, with some
being over two thousand years old.

A Brief History of Antique Rugs from Europe

During the rule of the Muslim Moors between the 8th and 13th centuries,
Europe was introduced to rug weaving primarily through Spain. The travels of
Marco Polo and Spanish embassies to Venice were mainly responsible. The two most
notable styles to originate from Europe are the French Savonnerie and Aubusson
styles of the 17th and 18th centuries.

French Savonnerie, established in Paris(1628), produced ornate rugs primarily
for use in palaces, special order and royal request. Traditional artists were
overseeing the production of rug orders, so their influence is highly visible.
Scenes from the Savonnerie antique rugs depict the glories of the age, floral
garlands, naturalistic flowers and ornamental motifs. Antique rugs with romantic
scenes of medieval times also are typical of the latter part of this era.

Antique rugs of the Abusson style, rumored to have begun in the 8th century,
were formally established in 1743, with the advent of a royal rug and carpet
factory. The initial productions from this factory were reproductions of key
Turkish and Smyrna rugs. Also, designs were less intricate and expensive than
those produced in Savonnerie. Later, a new style was implemented here, based off
of Savonerie, to be less distracting.

A Brief History of Antique Rugs from India

During the 16th century, Humayan, the son of the first Moghul Shah, was
exiled to Persia by an Afgan revolt ten years after the death of his father
Babur. During his nine year stay he developed a taste for Persian art, and upon
his return to India he brought with him two reputable Persian artists. Well
known for their paintings, here these Persian artists established the Moghul
school of painting which blended their styles with that of the Indians.

This was the basis for Humayan's son Akbar to encourage the development of
fine arts and artistic industries. The earliest recorded evidence of rug
production came at this time, praising Akbar for nurturing artistic weaving and
the arts in general.

Early antique Indian carpets and rugs feature free designs, with little
symmetry. Floral and animal designs are a common theme, with some of the animals
having several heads and devouring each other. Pictorial realism and Hindu
mythology are both major characteristics of antique Indian rugs. Abstract
symbols and dense ornamentation also distinguish antique Indian rugs from
others.

Antique Indian rugs, reknown for their vibrant colors, were produced with
their famous dyes. All the colors of the rainbow were extracted from their local
flora. The local fauna produced the wool primarily used for weaving, although
silk was readily available and used often.

In short, it is no wonder these ornate works of art are now on western
designers minds. From beauty to usefullness and floor covering to wall
decoration, antique rugs are here to stay.

Antique rug info and dealer