Carpets have been a part of homes and other human edifices for thousands of years. As an industry, carpet making traces its roots thousands of years ago to the plains of Central Asia, where nomads faced long, bitter winters and needed additional warmth and insulation. Aside from their practical use, carpets also became decorative and often reflected local cultures and practices.

All over the world, Persian carpets are the best-known and most recognizable. Centered around modern-day Iran, the Persian carpet industry makes up more than 30% of the global market for carpets. About 5 million square meters of Persian carpets are produced every year, and the Persian carpet industry in Iran employs close to 5 million people.

Persian carpets are commonly made of wool or cotton. Silk is rarely used because of higher cost and lack of durability as a floor covering; instead, silk is more common as a decorative tapestry.

Aside from the Persian carpets which are produced in Iran, many other countries across Asia are also large-scale producers of what is known as Oriental carpets. You will find large selections of carpets and rugs that are Persian, Pakistani, East Indian, Oriental, Kurdish, Torkemen and Afghan in origin, among many others.