How Oriental Rugs are Classified
From the questions I hear in our shop, I can tell that there is a great deal of interest in oriental rugs, but also a great deal of confusion. A little information can help you understand the styles we carry and their differences.
One way of classifying rugs is whether they are tribal rugs, woven by small nomadic communities, village rugs woven by a settled tribe making rugs for resale to support the community, or city rugs woven by skilled weavers who reproduce historically popular designs.
Tribal rugs are the simplest form of design, often using bold colors and simple geometric shapes. Tribal rugs tend to be smaller in size, incorporate lots of straight lines, and tend to have a lower knot count. Tribal rugs have become highly sought-after among collectors, and they are increasingly rare due to the relatively small numbers made.
Village rugs are woven in a wider range of sizes, from small to large, and they often have bold geometric designs with central medallions. They feature a heavy nap and low knot count. Village rugs tend to be among the most durable.
City rugs tend to have highly ornate designs, sometimes with floral sprays and extremely high knot counts. The designs often reflect 16th and 17th century patterns from the royal workshops. The finest of these rugs use silk and uncommon colors.
When you select your rug, what matters most is finding a quality item that suits your taste, decor, and budget. At The Rug Gallery, we carry a wide range of designs, both traditional and contemporary, because the best rug is the one that is right for you.
One way of classifying rugs is whether they are tribal rugs, woven by small nomadic communities, village rugs woven by a settled tribe making rugs for resale to support the community, or city rugs woven by skilled weavers who reproduce historically popular designs.
Tribal rugs are the simplest form of design, often using bold colors and simple geometric shapes. Tribal rugs tend to be smaller in size, incorporate lots of straight lines, and tend to have a lower knot count. Tribal rugs have become highly sought-after among collectors, and they are increasingly rare due to the relatively small numbers made.
Village rugs are woven in a wider range of sizes, from small to large, and they often have bold geometric designs with central medallions. They feature a heavy nap and low knot count. Village rugs tend to be among the most durable.
City rugs tend to have highly ornate designs, sometimes with floral sprays and extremely high knot counts. The designs often reflect 16th and 17th century patterns from the royal workshops. The finest of these rugs use silk and uncommon colors.
When you select your rug, what matters most is finding a quality item that suits your taste, decor, and budget. At The Rug Gallery, we carry a wide range of designs, both traditional and contemporary, because the best rug is the one that is right for you.