The history of the Oriental carpet

The history of the oriental carpet goes back a long way and spans centuries. Oriental carpets are handmade carpets produced in various countries in the Middle East and Asia. The origins of the oriental carpet can be traced back to antiquity. The oldest known oriental carpets date back to the 5th century BC and were woven in Persia (today's Iran). These carpets often had geometric patterns and were used for functional and decorative purposes. Persia became one of the most important centres for the production of oriental carpets. The city of Isfahan in Iran became a major production centre in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Ottoman Empire, especially Anatolia (present-day Turkey), was another centre for carpet production. Here, carpets with floral and geometric patterns were produced, which are known today as Ottoman carpets. The trade in oriental carpets flourished throughout history. European countries, including Britain and France, imported oriental carpets in the 16th and 17th centuries. This led to a rise in the popularity of oriental carpets in Europe. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the tradition of carpet making continued in the Middle East and Asia. Manufacturing methods modernised and new designs were developed. Today, oriental carpets are valued and traded worldwide. Famous carpet producing countries continue to be Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Oriental carpets are not only works of art, but also important cultural symbols in their countries of origin. They have evolved over time and are now in great demand both as decorative objects and as collectors' items.