Persian rugs are frequently absorbed into the generic description “oriental,” a class of fine, patterned rugs woven throughout Asia and the Middle East. Strictly defined, Persian rugs come from Iran, although historic Persian Rugs originated in that entire region, not just within present-day geographic boundaries. The rugs are characterized by dense weaves, unique knots and opulent colors. The oldest known rug in existence is from the 5th century BCE. The 2,500-year-old Pazyryk rug, was found frozen in an icy tomb in Siberia, and still retains its deep red dye. The art of rug weaving is ancient and so too are the color dyeing techniques, symbols, styles, and motifs. The meaning attributed to these are a way to share stories and pass them down from generation to generation. Colors for the dyes are obtained from nature. Colors [...]

The process of hand knotting rugs goes back a few thousand years. The oldest rug in the world is the “Pazyryk” carpet, which dates to the 5th century BCE. The ancient art form and master craft of hand knotting rugs continues today. It starts with a design drawn on graph paper, called a "cartoon". Then the weavers take the design and begin the process of making the rug, one knot at a time. Each color of yarn is chosen according to the graphed design and then tied unto the "warp." Depending on the type of knots made, the size of the wool strands, and how tightly the knots are tied and pounded down, this will determine the density and level of quality of a rug. For fine "oriental" rugs a high [...]

(Durie Kilim Hand Woven Flat Weave Rug) Advantages/Disadvantages of Flatwoven Rugs Advantages ◦Flatwoven rugs are reasonably priced. ◦There are many beautiful colors and patterns available.... ◦Flatwoven rugs are reversible. ◦A flatwoven rug can also be considered a collecting piece if the rug was made by hand in the Middle East. Disadvantages ◦Flatwoven rugs can cause slippage without a proper rug pad. ◦They are not as thick or as durable as hand-knotted or hand-tufted rugs. ◦It's difficult to identify machine-made from hand-woven construction. ◦Flatwoven rugs do not hide stains as well as rugs with a pile. Oriental Rug Salon is a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification and the international Carpet & Rug Institute, CRI.  We are also A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau and [...]

(Heriz Persian Rug - Country) Country rugs have a reputation for using natural dyes and bold and geometric patterns that are unique to each community. Because the dyes are natural, country rug weavers often use less color in each rug. The age-old process started with nomadic tribes in Mongolia and Turkey and continues today to define the cultural heritage of many countries throughout Asia and the Middle East. The process may begin in a pasture where men shear the sheep. The wool is then spun and dyed, preferably using natural plants such as indigo, madder, pomegranates or oak. The wool is then brought into villages where the women of extended families sit together around a loom and weave designs that are integral to their history, religion, and way of life. [...]

(The above is a Persian Tribal rug from Iran) When preserving a client's beautiful area rug we often hear that they have a "Persian" or "Oriental" rug and many clients don't the difference between the two very distinct rug types. Oriental Rugs By the strictest definition, Oriental rugs are rugs hand knotted only in Asia. Iran, China, India, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal are some of the biggest rug exporters. Persian Rugs Persian rugs also are Oriental rugs but they are made only in Iran (formerly known as Persia). An authentic Persian rug or carpet is hand knotted. Persian rug designs were once named after the city in which they were created. As their popularity increased, these patterns became produced elsewhere and kept their original names. Tabriz, Hamadan, Gabbeh, Heriz, [...]

Did you know Rugs and carpets used in mosques often have motifs like the Kaaba (in Mecca), a mosque lamp (symbolic of Allah), a water basin (symbolizing of ritual ablution) and sometimes a mountain (symbolically elevating the worshipper) woven into them. Above is a prime example of an antique Turkish prayer rug with a mosque lamp motif.  (Note the lamps hanging in the background). Oriental Rug Salon is SW Florida's largest and most experienced Oriental, wool and silk area rug cleaning and repair facility.  We are a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the international Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI).  We are also A+ certified with the Better Business Bureau and Angie's List. If we can ever be of service to you or [...]

Ever wonder why "Hand-Knotted Oriental Rugs" cost so much?  Here's why.... An 8X10 hand-knotted wool rug of good quality with 400 knots per square inch (4,608,000 total knots) takes approximately 6,144 hours or 768 eight hour work days to make. Now you know..... Oriental Rug Salon is SW Florida's most experienced and largest Oriental, wool and silk area rug cleaning and repair company serving all of Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Punta Gorda, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples FL. We are a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the international Carpet & Rug Institute.  We are also A+ certified with Angie's List and the Better Business Bureau. At Oriental Rug Salon we do not use automated equipment to "clean" rugs as we [...]

Improper Cleaning Damages Oriental Rugs.... Improper cleaning is a leading cause of damage to Oriental rugs. We advise our clients to wait until they are assured that they have located the right cleaning and restoration service before deciding to clean an Oriental rug, tapestry or textile. It is important to investigate claims, know the difference and obtain reliable references or industry certifications. The danger presented by most commercial companies is due to the harshness of over-the-counter cleaning formulations, hot water, mechanical brushing, and washing machines and - in the case of in-home or steam cleaning - inadequate cleaning and incomplete rinsing. The shortcuts of wall-to-wall carpet steam cleaning companies and traditional commercial cleaning machines are a radical departure from the principles and practices of rug and textile conservation. It is [...]

When purchasing a genuine Oriental rug, don’t fall victim to the following “Sales” advertisements: Don't be fooled by huge markdowns or deep discounts like ”50%”, ”60%“ or even ”90%“ off. Sellers feature high mark-ups to accommodate this kind of discounting at: ◦Fake Custom Auctions ◦Going Out of Business (GOB) Sales ◦Moving Sales ◦Liquidation Sales ◦Lost Lease Sales ◦Closing Forever Sales ◦Bankruptcy Sales ◦Remodeling Sales • Stay away from fake Customs Auctions of seized-rugs advertised in your local newspapers. At these auctions, you bid on rugs supposedly seized by U.S. Customs. These auctions are ALL FRAUDULENT for the simple reason that goods that are seized by Customs must be shipped out of the country; they are not allowed to be sold in the U.S. (That is why they have been seized [...]

What is an Oriental rug? An authentic Oriental rug is a handmade carpet that is either knotted with pile or woven without pile. Oriental-design rugs are made by machine or any method other than hand knotting or hand weaving are not considered authentic Oriental rugs. These rugs normally come from a broad geographical region extending from China in the East to Turkey and Iran in the West and the Caucasus in the North to India in the South. People from different cultures, cou...ntries, racial groups and religious faiths are involved in the production of oriental rugs. Oriental rugs are organized by origin: Persian rugs, Anatolian rugs, Kurdish rugs, Caucasian rugs, Central Asian rugs, Turkestan rugs, Chinese rugs, and Tibetan rugs. Retailers such as Lowes, Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Macys and [...]