Traditional Rug Basics – Rug Themes 101

If you’ve not yet reached the rank of rug connoisseur, you’ll quickly find there is much to learn about the various rug classifications on the market. For instance, what’s a traditional rug? What type of weave makes for a fine rug design? What colors are trademarks of this particular style of rug?

RugSmart provides rugs in 12 different categories, and understanding what you will find in each designation will make it easier to snag the perfect new edition for your space.

Take this moment to soak in some new knowledge, and let us help you begin your journey to connoisseur by quickly clarifying a few reasons why a rug design would be classified as traditional.

The origin of traditional rugs

A rug’s origin is a big part of what places it in any given category. A true traditional rug will have originated in the area of the world including Asia and the Middle East called “The Rug Belt”. “The Rug Belt”  extends to North Africa and Morocco into the Middle East, India, and Central Asia.

It’s also important to know that the label “traditional” is an umbrella term. For example, Persian and Oriental rugs are found under the umbrella of “traditional” in the rug world. As the label might suggest, traditional designs stem back to the very beginning of rug history. In fact, the oldest surviving traditional style rug to date was found in ancient Persia around the year 500 B.C.

Materials and dyes found in traditional rugs

The quality of the materials used to compose a traditional-style rug is important. Commonly, this type of rug is made from natural materials like wool, silk, cotton, and various animal skins. 

The dyes used in the making of a traditional rug are often made from natural vegetables, contributing to the distinct color palate you’ll find in the genre. Deep reds, dark navy, and rich gold hues are trademarks of the style. 

The high-quality materials and craftsmanship of a rug also have an impact on the price. A truly, well-crafted traditional rug is not cheap.

Traditional knotting and design

The knotting of any rug will tell you a lot about what kind of rug it is and how it was made. Traditional rugs are known for their symmetrical patterned designs (not to be confused with a bordered rug), featuring motifs, flowers, and medallions. 

However, when a rug is hand-knotted, it is never truly symmetrical. Weavers sometimes take months to finish crafting a rug, and the small intricacies of one knot are difficult to recreate throughout. If a rug is manufactured by a machine, the symmetry of the design will be much more consistent.

The pile height of the rug also makes an impact on its value. Masters of the art of hand-knotting can weave very thin rugs, creating a more rare and more expensive end product. 

Conclusion

Now that you know some surface-level information about traditional rugs, feel free to start scrolling through RugSmart’s traditional section to find something that suits your design flavor. If you’re interested in learning more about rug design, check out what our blog has to offer.