Guide to Buying Area Rugs

Editor: therugguy

This guide will give the reader a better understanding of the different styles and contructions of area rugs.

Introduction

Types of Rugs

While most people associate oriental rugs with traditional pile rugs, there are actually many styles of rugs that are produced and sold as oriental rugs. The style of rug generally refers to the type of construction that is employed to make the rug. One broad distinction is flat-weave rugs versus pile rugs. Within these two categories, there are several further divisions. (In fact, there are many, many small variations, but we will focus only on some of the major categories.) When selecting a rug, keep in mind that flat-weave rugs tend to be thinner, while pile rugs are usually thicker and lusher.

Abusson

First produced during the 17th century in France, Aubussons are flat-weave rugs, similar to kilims. The colors are usually soft and delicate with detailed floral and architectural designs. While antique Aubussons are quite rare and expensive, manufacturers today create beautiful Aubussons using the same techniques developed by their predecessors.

Hooked

A hooked rug is a cross between a needlepoint and a pile rug. The weaver starts with a piece of burlap fabric and sews the design through the material, leaving a short loop on the finished side. By varying the height of the loops, a sculptured effect can be produced.

Kilim

Kilims are flat-weave rugs originally produced in a village or tribal environment. The designs tend to be geometric, often incorporating various symbolic motifs. A prominent characteristic of kilim rugs is the slits along the warp of the rug wherever there is a change of color. Since older kilims were usually woven on smaller, portable looms, it is difficult to find them in large sizes. Today, new kilims are produced in a full range of sizes at very affordable prices.

Needlepoint

A needlepoint rug is a flat-weave rug produced by sewing the design into a large piece of fabric. Various stitches can be used to produce different patterns and appearances. When the artisan changes thread color, the excess is left hanging long on the back side.

Sumak

These rugs are produced using a flat-weave technique where the weft (horizontal) threads are wrapped on the warp (vertical) threads, creating a chain stitch brocade look. This process creates a rug which is reversible and which has no dark or light side. The Sumak name is taken from the Caucasian rugs that were made using this technique. Today numerous designs have been copied from original Caucasian rugs and are produced with a worn or antique look.

Tapestry

A tapestry is a flat-weave rug or wall hanging that generally incorporates a very detailed design or picture. Many different colored threads are woven into the piece requiring an inordinate amount of time and skill. A light fabric backing is often sewn to the back of a tapestry to cover the loose ends of the threads.

Traditional Pile

We have created this category to describe knotted pile rugs. These rugs are produced by tying the pile to the warp threads and then trimming the final rug to produce an even surface. As each knot must be hand tied, these rugs take a lot of time and effort to produce. Some rug designs, such as a Tabriz, utilize very fine wool or silk pile, and contain hundreds of knots per square inch. Tribal or village pile rugs may employ thicker yarn and fewer knots, but still have a charm all their own.

Tufted

A tufted rug is a pile rug where the pile yarn is wrapped around the warp threads, but is not tied. Rather, the pile is secured in place by coating the back of the rug with a latex type adhesive. This greatly reduces the time and expense of creating a rug that often looks very similar to a traditional knotted rug.

Types of Rugs

Aubusson

First produced during the 17th century in France, Aubussons are flat-weave rugs, similar to kilims. The colors are usually soft and delicate with detailed floral and architectural designs. While antique Aubussons are quite rare and expensive, manufacturers today create beautiful Aubussons using the same techniques developed by their predecessors. Hooked

A hooked rug is a cross between a needlepoint and a pile rug. The weaver starts with a piece of burlap fabric and sews the design through the material, leaving a short loop on the finished side. By varying the height of the loops, a sculptured effect can be produced.

Kilim

Kilims are flat-weave rugs originally produced in a village or tribal environment. The designs tend to be geometric, often incorporating various symbolic motifs. A prominent characteristic of kilim rugs is the slits along the warp of the rug wherever there is a change of color. Since older kilims were usually woven on smaller, portable looms, it is difficult to find them in large sizes. Today, new kilims are produced in a full range of sizes at very affordable prices.

Needlepoint

A needlepoint rug is a flat-weave rug produced by sewing the design into a large piece of fabric. Various stitches can be used to produce different patterns and appearances. When the artisan changes thread color, the excess is left hanging long on the back side.

Sumak

These rugs are produced using a flat-weave technique where the weft (horizontal) threads are wrapped on the warp (vertical) threads, creating a chain stitch brocade look. This process creates a rug which is reversible and which has no dark or light side. The Sumak name is taken from the Caucasian rugs that were made using this technique. Today numerous designs have been copied from original Caucasian rugs and are produced with a worn or antique look.

Tapestry

A tapestry is a flat-weave rug or wall hanging that generally incorporates a very detailed design or picture. Many different colored threads are woven into the piece requiring an inordinate amount of time and skill. A light fabric backing is often sewn to the back of a tapestry to cover the loose ends of the threads.

Traditional Pile

We have created this category to describe knotted pile rugs. These rugs are produced by tying the pile to the warp threads and then trimming the final rug to produce an even surface. As each knot must be hand tied, these rugs take a lot of time and effort to produce. Some rug designs, such as a Tabriz, utilize very fine wool or silk pile, and contain hundreds of knots per square inch. Tribal or village pile rugs may employ thicker yarn and fewer knots, but still have a charm all their own.

Tufted

A tufted rug is a pile rug where the pile yarn is wrapped around the warp threads, but is not tied. Rather, the pile is secured in place by coating the back of the rug with a latex type adhesive. This greatly reduces the time and expense of creating a rug that often looks very similar to a traditional knotted rug.

Common Terminology in Rugs

Abrash

This refers to the hue or color change found on many older rugs, particularly those woven by nomad tribes. The variations in color are usually the result of inconsistent dyeing of the wool, or through the introduction of a new wool batch while weaving the carpet.

All-Over

This is a term used to describe the pattern of a rug whose field has no central medallion

Arabesque

An ornate linear design of intertwined floral and geometrical figures.

Ashik

This is a diamond-shaped figure with serrated edges found primarily on Turkeman pieces and some Asian pile weaves.

Boarder

The frame for the field of a rug. It is generally the widest element in the framing located next to the guard bands or stripes.

Boteh

This is a motif in stylized form representing either a pine cone, a palmetto, or the sacred flame of Zoroaster

Cartoon

This is a complete picture of the rug design from which weavers construct a rug.

Cartouch

An ornamental tablet containing an inscription.

Classical

A vague term referring to court carpets produced prior to the 19th century.

Cloudband

A stylized depiction of a cloud resembling a band knotted at its collar.

Dragon

A classis motif symbolizing good fortune. The dragon is often rendered as a geometrical form with only the head portrayed realistically.

Embroidery

The use of a variety of different needle-worked stitches to decorate fabrics.

Field

The main section of the rug that is surrounded by the boarder and contains the central medallion or other motifs.

Fringe

The excess warp threads extending from the end of the rug.

Guard

These are decorated bands which surround and enhance the main border.

Guard Stripe

A thin stripe used to highlight guards and to separate them from the beginning of the field.

Gul

This is an octagonal motif, usually elongated and divided into four. The word means "rose or flower".

Herati

This is a design feature often found in carpets from Persia. Usually four fish head or leaves are woven around a well-defined diamond. This is also referred to as the "Fish Design"

Kilim

A common flat weave rug, usually produced by tribal weavers.

Lobe

A rounded division frequently found in medallions and in border ornaments.

Loom

Frame or machine used for interlacing two or more sets of threads or yarns to form a rug.

Lozenge

A diamond shaped parallelogram or rhombus.

Medallion

Large design found in the center in some rugs.

Mihrab

Typical design of a prayer rug derived from the niche or chamber in a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca.

Motifs

Single or repeated design or color that can be found throughout the rug.

Pile

Refers to the raised tufts formed from the strands of knotted wool that have been cut at the carpet's surface.

Pileweave

A term used to refer to the structure of knotted carpets and rugs. Wool, silk, or sometimes cotton is knotted around the warp in a variety of techniques, depending on the traditions of the carpet weaver.

Prayer Rug

A small Oriental rug used by Moslems to kneel on when saying their daily prayers.

Quaterfoil

Round symmetrical ornaments with four lobes.

Reciprocal

A motif in contrasting colors but a consistent pattern.

Rosette

A motif resembling an open rose consisting of a circular arrangement of parts around a center.

Runner

A long, narrow rug used mostly for hallways and staircases.

Saf

A prayer rug containing multiple rows and/or columns of niches.

Shirazi

A process in which wool or cotton is wrapped around the lateral warp threads to form a firm edge.

Slit Tapestry

A technique commonly used on Kilims where the weft threads turn back at the meeting of different color areas. It is easily recognizable by the small gaps which appear where there are color changes.

Spandrel

An ornamental treatment located at the corners of the field.

Strapwork

An interlacing design meant to resemble straps.

Sumak

A type of flat-weave rug characterized by a clearly defined rectangular pattern.

Tapestry

A hand-woven wall hanging with a flat weave, usually characterized by complicated pictorial designs.

Tea Wash

A procedure used to soften the colors of a rug and give it the appearance of age.

Village Rug

Rugs made in villages or by nomads, usually smaller with simpler patterns. The designs are usually created from memory.

Warp

Threads of yarn that extend over the entire length of the rug, on which the weaver ties the knots.

Weft

Threads of yarn that run across the width of the rug between the warp threads to hold the knots in place.

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