rug 101

How to Know the Evolution of Rugs in Different Parts of the Globe?

• 26 August 2021
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• 5 Min Read
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• By Jaipur Rugs

Earlier people from different tribes used grasses and plant fibers to weave together to form a comfortable and warmer sitting in colder times. A few thousand years later, there were nomads who made use of animal skins to lay beneath as a source of warmth and comfort.

It is extremely difficult to zero down the journey of rugs but going back in history a few things can be traced.

From the times when cave dwellers used to live in caves till the modern-day, humans have always wanted to center themselves around comfort. Earlier people from different tribes used grasses and plant fibers to weave together to form a comfortable and warmer sitting in colder times. A few thousand years later, there were nomads who made use of animal skins to lay beneath as a source of warmth and comfort.

During the Mesopotamian and Egyptian eras, it is believed that there was a large-scale use of carpets. The oldest carpet that was made is known as pazyryk. It is believed that the first carpets originated in Iran or Turkey however, in reality, they were first made in the 7th century in Armenia. This was during 400 BC. The Pazyryk rug was the first rug to be made with a pile. The fibers were left loose and were tied together to enhance the pile height of the rug.

12th Century:

In India, the journey of rug making began only in the 12th century. From there it took shape and escalated towards the east. Eventually, the art of rug making slowly cascaded towards Sri Lanka. Later on, those rugs were taken to Europe by a few crusaders who were on their journey towards the Middle East.

13th Century:

It was the Arabs in the southern part of Spain who initiated making hand-knotted rugs in Europe during the 13th century. This art then spread to France as several factories were made to function there.

14th to 15th Century:

It took the shape of a business only during the 14th and 15th centuries in Persia. For these Persian rugs, the craftsmen took inspiration from life in Persia, the richness of their culture and heritage and that is what is showcased in most of these rugs. These rugs were extremely durable and were passed on in the family as an heirloom for generations. The rug patterns and hues evolved more and more in the Isfahan in Persia which later became the hub of the rug industry.

16th Century:

Towards the 16th century, it started flourishing. This was the time when both Persian and Turkish rugs made their way to Europe. It was during 1628 that a rug industry was formed in France. It was located in Chaillot. From here, the French weavers understood the art of weaving. This was the time when motifs and rich colors became a part of the rug. Tapestries were in full bloom in a small town of France called Aubusson. These were handmade and mostly used wool as the raw material to make the best quality products. 

17th to 18th Century:

Gradually in the 1700s, England became the center of the rug making industry in Europe. It flourished even further with the beginning of power looms in 1780. Initially, it was only wool that was used as a raw material in rug making due to its strength, fiber length, and durability. It was later around the 18th century that the usage of silk came into the picture. Silk rugs being extremely soft in texture were brought into use as meditation mats.

19th Century:

In the 19th century, rugs were mostly flat woven as these were affordable to be used by the masses. While hand-knotted rugs were not something that all sections of the society could afford in their spaces. With a surge in demand for hand-knotted rugs, its production kept on increasing as more and more people wanted to adorn their floors with hand-knotted rugs. Vibrant colors and rich textures were what persuaded people. With these hand-knotted and oriental rugs, the demand for English and Italian Furniture also kept coming in to set up the interior decor within homes.

20th Century:

During the 20th century, machine-made rugs were more in demand to align with the desires of the people. These rugs majorly ran similar patterns across the entire rug which were essentially monotone in color. With this simplicity in color and patterns, it became easier to blend the rug in any kind of room for home decorators. Intricate patterns and complexities of the designs went a little low in preference.

Therefore, making it effortless and easy going for most of the users. The most preferred colors during this time were beige and eggplant. The reason being that these colors gel well with any kind of room setting making it further easy to set the interiors.

Moreover, in the 1950s tufting guns came into the picture. It gained more popularity than handcrafted rugs during those times. The US became the center for tufting rugs and from there it spread its arms towards other parts of the globe.

21st Century:

During the 21st century, more permutations and combinations have been added to rug making with the kinds of colors, patterns, designs, styles, materials, weaving techniques and the list goes on. This meets the requirements of various customers and their aesthetics. Every day the process of rug making is evolving in sync with the kind of decor people want for their houses.

Nowadays, rugs are thought of as a worthy investment. People have enhanced their knowledge about rugs more and more. Right from the procurement of raw material to the cleaning hacks that makes the treasured rug last with them for years to come.

Modern day rugs are available in all shapes and sizes to suit a simple space like a living room to a grand hotel lobby. There are rugs that can match the creative skills of your child and even add a neutral vibe to an extremely vibrant space.

The good thing is that handmade rugs add a realm of sustainability to your life. You take a step ahead with these rugs towards a better environment which is the need of the hour. Moreover, when it comes to the prices, rugs are available in all ranges, to suit your budget, such that going sustainable is not expensive anymore.