oriental rugs
Handwoven Asian textiles
Oriental rugs are handwoven carpets from Asia, traditionally from regions like Persia, Turkey, China, and the Caucasus.
They're characterized by intricate patterns, rich colors, and natural fibers—typically wool or silk knotted by hand.
The term covers a vast range of styles named for their region of origin: Persian rugs, Turkish kilims, Bokhara carpets.
Fine antique pieces command high prices as collectibles.
The adjective oriental, once standard, is now sometimes avoided as dated when applied to people, though it remains common for rugs and other objects.
Fabric-making frame
- handwovenMade manually on looms
- knotsSecured loops in rope
- knottingForming fixed interlacements
- warpBend from true form
weft · pile · wool · silk · cotton · fibers · textile · artisans
Of or from Iran
- kilimTapestry rug without pile
- TurkmenPerson from Turkmenistan
- AnatolianOf Asia Minor
- CaucasianPerson of European ancestry
nomadic · tribal · medallion · prayer rug
Large decorative disk pendant
- borderOuter edge or limit
- geometricRelating to mathematical shapes
- floralOf or like blooms
- paisleyCurved teardrop textile motif
arabesque · scrollwork · lattice · motif · symmetry · tree of life · vine · rosette
Decorative woven wall cloth
- wallhangingDecorative piece for walls
- layeringForming successive strata
- runnerOne who sprints
- accentRegional speech pattern
gallery · underlay · fringe · tassel · color palette · aesthetic · warmth · heirloom
Open-air merchant district
- caravanTraveling group with goods
- merchantOne who sells wares
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- marketplaceVenue for commerce
import · dealer · showroom · wholesale · commissioning · Istanbul · Marrakech
Old valued collectible
- vintageQuality from past eras
- patinaSurface film from aging
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- provenanceRecord of ownership
auction · appraisal · restoration · museum · rarity · investment · estate · signed
loom
Fabric-making frame
warp · weft · pile · wool · silk · cotton · fibers · textile · artisans · dyers
Persian
Of or from Iran
Caucasian · nomadic · tribal · medallion · prayer rug
medallion
Large decorative disk pendant
paisley · arabesque · scrollwork · lattice · motif · symmetry · tree of life · vine · rosette · cartouche
tapestry
Decorative woven wall cloth
- wallhangingDecorative piece for walls
- layeringForming successive strata
- runnerOne who sprints
accent · gallery · underlay · fringe · tassel · color palette · aesthetic · warmth · heirloom · statement piece
bazaar
Open-air merchant district
marketplace · import · dealer · showroom · wholesale · commissioning · Istanbul · Marrakech
antique
Old valued collectible
provenance · auction · appraisal · restoration · museum · rarity · investment · estate · signed · dated
- Orientalismodalisque, Egyptology, snake charmer, harems, Turkish bath
- Victorian decorVictorian design, parlour, drawing room, fainting couch, ornate patterns
- antiquesantiques, antique furniture, antique, antique coins, Greek vases
- carpet shopping
- still lifefruit bowl, bouquet, floral arrangement, grapes, apples
- Colonial Decorwainscoting, Windsor chairs, fireplace mantels, four-poster beds, grandfather clocks
oriental rugsshag carpet
orient, orientation, Orient Express, oriented, disorient, reorient, oriental, orienting, disorientation