subject: Importance of Regional Carpets [print this page] Carpet making is a popular industry and spread worldwide. Each region depicts its own nature and style of carpet making. The cultural, traditional, regional, and even religious colors are visible in the art.
Chinese carpets
Chinese carpets are made utterly for indoor purposes. It started exporting rugs in first half of the 19th century. Chinese rugs are famous for art-deco and being their commercial nature.
Persian and Anatolian carpets
Persian carpets depict the culture of Iran. These carpets date back to the Bronze Age. Instead of pictures of animals and humans, the design and art of carpets includes arabesques, cloud bands, medallions and geometric screened-off area. This was and still because of the religion of Iran, Islam. The pictures of animals and humans are forbidden in this religion. The carpets are of wool mostly, but silk carpets are also being produced. These are termed as the deluxe and the most luxury carpets in the whole world. The designs are copied world wide.
Turkish carpets
Knotted and kilim' (flat woven) designs are a mark of Turkish carpets. Turkish people protected themselves with cold by using these carpets. The carpets used to be hung over walls and doors to keep them warmer. The Turkish carpets are made up of wool and cotton. Sometimes addition of silk is also found. Modern improvements in carpet industry have not reduced the demand of hand woven Turkish rugs and carpets. These carpets have beautiful patterns with cheerful colors.
Pakistani carpets
Ancient Indus valley civilization and the traces of them at Moenjodaro and Harippa has revealed that carpet making was an art in this region. People used to have spindles and hand spun machines which were used to weave and spin the carpets. Carpets were considered to be the pride in Muslims' culture and the elite and honorable persons were regarded with them. Pakistani craftsmen adopted the style and pattern on Persian weavers; therefore, the design may have many similarities. Hand woven carpets of Pakistan are of supreme quality and are exported through out the world. They are famous for their unique abstract and geometrical designs and calligraphy.
French carpets
The French carpets are designed having floral patterns. The designs include flowers, baskets and vases using dark blue and black colors mostly. The finest of the pieces have displays of rosettes, shells, acanthus leaves, and floral swags.
English carpets
Knotted pile carpets were introduced in England in 16th century. As British rules Indo Pak region for several years, the design patterns are greatly under influence of Muslims.
