The craftsmanship behind
Oriental rugs is as
phenomenal as their beauty.

From the inception of Oriental rug-making more than 2,500 years ago in faraway, ancient lands to their arrival in the modern American home, Oriental rugs have stood the test of time. With every year that passes, an Oriental rug gets more beautiful, more valuable and more highly prized as an art form.

Oriental rugs have the most humble of components --- sheep's wool, silk and, occasionally camel or goat hair. The wool is dyed with vegetable dyes and natural colorings from plants, and then woven with the human hand and lots of heart. Creating one of these masterpieces can take a weaver from one month to sometimes more than one year. Oriental rugs are woven on a loom, with the carpet's warp threads attached to the loom's top and bottom, and the carpet's weft threads, which are used to secure the knots, running horizontally. The weaver reaches up to balls of colored, woolen yarn that hangs overhead and swiftly pulls the yarn down, tying and cutting a piece across a pair of warp threads. Upon completing a row of knots, the weaver takes one or more weft threads and knots are then pushed down with a comb to firmly secure them.

Fueled by the nimble fingers, rich cultures and unlimited imagination of their weavers, Oriental rugs may bear the asymmetric, whimsical patterns found in antique Persian tribal rugs, or the intricate floral patters of Chinese and Indian Rugs. Other motifs in Chinese rugs may include serpents, signifying desire; storks, representing longevity; bats, denoting happiness; and a lion and dog together, symbolizing victory, power and energy. Additionally, some Persian, Turkish and Indian rugs often bear ornate Islamic motifs, such as Koranic scripts or a "prayer niche" (Rugs with a symbolic arch on one side are usually prayer rugs).

A weaver's cultural values are also expressed through the colors he or she chooses for a rug design. Ruby red symbolizes happiness; brown represents fertility; brilliant oranges are the colors of devotion; and regal blue is symbolic of truth.

In general, Oriental rugs can sell anywhere from under $100 to $20,000 and higher, depending on size, age, condition, quality and beauty. When examining a rug for these characteristics, it is also important to note the number of knots per square inch, which can range from about 50 to 900 or higher. Usually a very high knot count is preferred and valued. Mike Dabiri, owner of Oriental Rug Bazaar, Clearwater, passionately describes the quality and exquisite beauty of a wool and silk rug from Iran --- once known as Persia --- but emphasizes its practicality. "These rugs can be walked on for more than 100 years and they are still beautiful --- or more beautiful --- than when they first were made," noting the subtle sheen the carpets take on with age.

When shopping for an Oriental rug, be alert for acrylic "imitation Oriental" rugs that have been mass-produced on machines. They are not the soulful Oriental rugs bursting with human vitality --- the skillfully hand-knotted gems.

Once you purchase an Oriental rug, we recommend you take it to a reputable Oriental rug dealer for cleaning, appraising, and any repair that may be needed. Also, be sure to rotate your rug every six to twelve months to prevent uneven wear.