Authentic Persian and Oriental rugs add sophistication and warmth to any room. While they are expensive, they can last for years if you choose the correct one for your home and ensure that it is well taken care of. These beautiful rugs are handwoven and knotted using ancient techniques and color dyes to create products that are unique and eye-catching. Use this guide to select from the most popular types of Oriental and Persian carpets.

Guide to Oriental Rugs

Bokhara

These carpets are woven in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other central Asian locations. They present detailed, stylized patterns that repeat over the surface of the rug, set against a solid background color. This rug style originated in Bukhara, a historic rug-producing area in what is now  Uzbekistan. 

Chobi Ziegler/Peshawar

These rugs feature earthy, warm-toned colors and symmetrical borders with floral designs over the surface of the carpet. They are traditionally made in Pakistan. Chobi is a Persian word meaning “wood,” in reference to the earthy colors, and Ziegler refers to the German company who first manufactured and exported the rugs in the late 1800s. Peshawar is a city in Pakistan where the carpets are produced.

Khotan 

These long and narrow rugs are produced in China, originating from the city of Khotan in Xinjiang, or Chinese Turkistan. They range from warm colors of gold and red to lighter pastels. Designs draw from traditional Chinese geometric and floral patterns.

Oushak/Ushak

Woven in Turkey, these medium to large rugs feature large geometric and floral patterns in silky wool. The effect is a slightly shiny, elegant surface. Typical colors are rusts, reds, grays, and pastels. 

Persian Rugs

Gabbeh

The word Gabbeh is Farsi (Persian) for “raw or natural.” These rugs made in the southwest part of Iran feature several bright colors woven into stripes or geometric designs, and they are typically medium to large in size.

Kashan

These delicate, prized, silk rugs originated in the Iranian city of Kashan. Designs date back to the 16^th or 17^th centuries and include a central medallion with elaborate floral and arabesque motifs extending towards the edges of the rug. The surface is incredibly detailed, utilizing navy, red, ivory, and indigo, subtly mixed with pastels. They are typically found in 4’x6’ or 8’x10’ sizes.

Qashqai

Qashqai tribal rugs, made by Qashqai women, come from the Fars region of Iran and feature tribal symbols woven in wool. The style is characterized by a red weft, asymmetrical knots, and a “barber pole” selvage edge. Other popular colors were yellow and blue. Designs often included a central medallion interspersed with the tribal symbols. The rugs are quite distinctive in appearance and extremely hard-wearing.

Beautiful carpets are an investment in elegance and quality. Persian Rug Gallery, in Miamisburg, OH, stocks authentic Persian and Oriental rugs from Iran, Turkey, China, India, and Pakistan. Choose from handwoven or machine-made in a variety of sizes and colors to give your home a rustic or polished look. They offer professional rug cleaning and have skilled experts who can maintain rugs and ensure that they last for years. Browse their exquisite collection online or call (937) 436-3655 to inquire about selecting the perfect carpet for your space.