Oriental Rugs

An Oriental or Persian rug is also famous as an Iranian rug. These originated from the heavy textile, made for a wide variety of uses in the old days. They were also used for symbolic purposes and were handmade in Persia (the present day Iran). Carpet weaving is still considered a major part of the culture and art in Iran. The Oriental Rug produced in the well known rug belt stands out because of the intricate designs and elaborateness. Oriental rugs and carpets of different types were hand-woven by the village tribes and by the royal court weavers and the art is kept alive even today

The Pazyryk Valley in Siberia’s Altai Mountains was the site of a remarkable archaeological discovery in 1949. At the time, archaeological excavations have been ongoing since the 1920’s, and many historical items belonging to the nomadic peoples of the ancient times in this valley were already being unearthed.But what was even more intriguing in 1949 was the discovery of burial mounds (or kurgans) in remarkably well-preserved state, as they had been buried in ice since approximately 5 BC. There were mummies, burial chariots, figurines, and cloth saddles. Also found in this treasure trove was the Pazyryk Carpet, now regarded as the oldest carpet still in existence today.

Now being kept at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, this 2500-year-old carpet remains mostly intact, and provides an important glimpse into the art of carpet weaving as it was practice thousands of years ago. A description of the Pazyryk Carpet in the Hermitage Museum goes:

“Its decoration is rich and varied: the central field is occupied by 24 cross-shaped figures, each of which consists of four stylized lotus buds. This composition is framed by a border of griffins, followed by a border of twenty-four fallow deer. The widest border contains representations of workhorses and men.”

The exact origins of the Pazyryk Carpet remain ambiguous to researchers. More than likely, it came from Central Asia, possibly Persia or Armenia. The design and sophisticated workmanship of the carpet indicate that it came from a highly civilized and cosmopolitan culture, and the long history of carpet production spanning thousands of years in Persia or Armenia make them the most likely candidates as the producer of the Pazyryk Carpet.