Oriental Carpet History
The art of carpet-knotting traditionally stretched from China in the East to the important centres of Persia, Turkey and Europe all the way to Spain in the West. One can distinguish between nomadic, village and city carpets. Materials include wool, silk and cotton. Hand-knotted oriental carpets are made on either horizontal or vertical looms. The richness of the art mirrors itself in the myriad of patterns, styles, colours and texture of carpets.
Probably most famous is the Persian carpet, one of the most distinguished manifestations of Persian culture and art dating back to the Bronze Age. In 1947, the oldest existing carpet was discovered in an area of permanent ice in Siberia. The beautiful, well-preserved carpet shows the already very high development of carpet-making in Persia around 500 BC. With a knot density of 360 000 knots per square metre, the famous Pazyryk carpet can rival any of its modern counterparts in fineness and beauty. It is available for viewing at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia
The art of carpet weaving was further developed in the Persian and Indian imperial courts of the 15th and 16th century. One famous example is the large-dimensioned Ardabil carpet, which is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It has since inspired generations of master carpet weavers for its design richness and geometry, and its fine and symmetrical execution. The base of the carpet is silk, the pile fine wool, allowing for a high knot density.
 Extract depicting the border of the Pazyryk carpet (picture from http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/ html_En/03/hm3_2_7d.html) |
 The Ardabil carpet, Iran (detail) |
As of the 15th century, oriental carpets become important objects in the courts of the European Royal families. Oriental carpets – albeit often stylized – are depicted in oil paintings of the era, for example, in the Darmstadt Madonna by Holbein (1528) or Vermeer’s The Music Lesson (1665).
 Darmstadt Madonna by Holbein (1528) |
 Jan Vermeer’s The Music Lesson |
After a short period of stagnation, the Persian carpet achieved new artistic and commercial heights in the 19th century. Companies such as the Manchester-based Ziegler and co. had manufacturers in Persia, producing oriental carpets with a European design touch. This style with its soft beige and red colours is again very popular today and mainly being produced in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The history of the art of carpet making shows the diversity and richness of this craft. Below are a few examples of the many carpet types available today.
