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rug and carpet
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Detail of an Indo-Esfahan carpet, 17th century; in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Detail of a Persian kilim from Senneh (Sanandaj), Iran, 19th century. A tapestry-woven wool rug, it has an allover identical repeat pattern of bōtehs (leaves with curling tips) in rows. In the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Full size 1.65 × 1.19 metres. Detail of a Chinese carpet with an allover floral design framed by several contrasting borders, c. 1900. Persian silk carpet from Kashan, Iran, featuring a large central medallion with intricate floral patterns in red, gold, and green, bordered by ornate cartouches and cornerpieces. knots in handmade carpets Chief design motifs in rugs and carpets. Chief design motifs in rugs and carpets. Political map of Iran showing international boundaries, provincial boundaries, and major cities including Tehran, the national capital. Neighboring countries such as Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are labeled. The map also includes the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the south, with a locator inset highlighting Iran's position in the region. Political map of Turkey showing provincial boundaries, major cities, and neighboring countries including Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan), Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Bodies of water such as the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea are labeled. An inset locator map highlights Turkey's position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Caucasus Mountains
At a Glance
Persian silk carpet from Kashan, Iran, featuring a large central medallion with intricate floral patterns in red, gold, and green, bordered by ornate cartouches and cornerpieces.
rug and carpet summary
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Detail of an Indo-Esfahan carpet, 17th century; in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Detail of an Indo-Esfahan carpet, 17th century; in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

rug and carpet

textiles
Also known as: carpet, rug
Written by
Murray L. Eiland
Authority on Oriental carpets. Author of Oriental Rugs: A Complete Guide; Between the Black Desert and the Red.
Murray L. Eiland
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

rug and carpet, any decorative textile normally made of a thick material and now usually intended as a floor covering. Until the 19th century the word carpet was used for any cover, such as a table cover or wall hanging; since the introduction of machine-made products, however, it has been used almost exclusively for a floor covering. Both in Great Britain and in the United States the word rug is often used for a partial...

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