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Antique Oriental RugsThe accepted definition of an Antique rug is a rug that is over 100 years old, and they can come from anyplace in the world. The most common antique rugs are Persian or Oriental. The most expensive rugs today are antique Persian rugs. Very few have remained in Iran and it's rare to find one for sale, but you can still admire their beauty in museums around the world. One of the most famous Persian rugs was the "Spring Carpet of Chosroes", found in the palace of Chosroes II at Ctesiphon. Most of the antique rugs that still exist are from the Safavid dynasty, which lasted from 1501-1722. This period was the golden age of Persian art, and carpet weaving had evolved to a great art form. The government of Iran in this era would seize and destroy low quality carpets to keep the integrity of the art. By the 16th century, carpets were being woven in Iran on commission for the European nobility. The rugs of Safavid, Persia were divided into several categories. The main categories are: medallion, vase, garden, hunting, figure, and compartment. There were also prayer rugs, but they did not form as important a part of Persian weaving as they do of Turkish. In 1722 Afghanistan invaded Iran and brought the precious rug industry to its knees. The art was almost lost but when the Persians regained control of their country, the art of weaving was born again. Aubusson rugs woven in Aubusson are also highly-acclaimed carpets. They were first based on Persian models when a center of French carpet production began in the mid 17th century. From the mid 19th century, Aubusson rug designs began competing with those of the English. The Savonnerie carpets were woven by the royal manufacturer for Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Only the king was able to own or occasionally sell a Savonnerie carpet, leading to the development of the Aubusson. These flat woven carpets copied the designs of the Savonnerie carpets. Aubusson rugs graced the floors throughout all of Europe in the 17th and the 18th century. Savonnerie workshops were founded in Paris in 1628 and the designs by court artisans were only used for royal palaces, state gifts and important commissions. The greatest period of Savonnerie rug production was between 1650 - 1789. Today, most 17th and 18th century Savonnerie rugs are found only in some of the world's greatest museums. |
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