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The details

Origin of the first rug

The oldest rug ever found is about 2,500 years old. It was part of a grave in the Altai Mountains and opened in the year 1949. This discovery shows that handmade rugs were knotted even for longer 2,500 years by now. It is believed that the very first rugs were crafted by Asian nomads from their own sheep wool. They probably made rugs for various uses, e.g. as cover for their beds. They started crafting motifs of animals and plants from their environment in the rugs creating the first designs and ornaments. Nowadays, Gabbeh rugs and kilims still have these design elements in their most basic elaboration.

Relatively late, in the 19th century, oriental rugs became highly popular in the Western World and triggered a boom as luxury objects for wealthy families. In mid of 1900 prices fell due to an economic crisis in the Iran and especially Persian rugs became more affordable for the middle class. Today, prices are still very low compared to the manual effort put into each unique handmade rug. Medium sized Persian rugs for example often require more than 1,600 hours of skilled handicraft.