Oriental Rugs

A Broad Tradition, Precisely Defined

The word "oriental" gets used loosely in rug shopping, often as a stand-in for any rug with an intricate, traditional pattern. Technically, oriental rugs — sometimes searched as oriental carpets — means something more specific: a hand-knotted rug from the broad weaving tradition spanning Iran, Turkey, the Caucasus, China, and Central Asia.

It helps to see the family tree rather than treating "oriental" as one look. Persian rugs, from Iran's weaving cities, are the most famous branch, known for curving florals and a central medallion. Turkish and Caucasian traditions lean more geometric, with bolder, angular motifs and a symmetrical knot rather than the asymmetrical knot typical of Persian work.

Built to Outlast Generations

Every piece here is hand knotted, often at densities reaching up to 100 knots per inch, tied one at a time by a weaver over months. That density is what gives an oriental rug its crisp pattern definition and its durability — a well-made piece, properly cared for, is genuinely built to outlive the person who bought it.

Most oriental rugs in this collection use pure wool, hand-spun and naturally dyed the way weaving families have done for generations, giving the pattern a depth of color a synthetic dye simply can't replicate.

A smaller selection incorporate silk, either as accent highlighting within the wool pile or as the primary fiber in our finer, more formal pieces, adding a sheen that shifts as you move around the room.

Color and Where Oriental Rugs Shine

Deep, saturated reds, blues, and ivories dominate the traditional palette, built up through natural dyeing rather than a flat pigment. If you're drawn to a warmer, richer look, our Red & Burgundy Rugs collection overlaps heavily with classic oriental design.

For something a shade cooler, several pieces in our Blue Rugs collection carry that same motif language in a different palette.

Living rooms and formal dining rooms are the traditional home for a fine oriental rug — the pattern rewards being seen at a slight distance, letting the eye follow it from the central medallion outward to the border.

A larger size lets an intricate design breathe properly. Smaller oriental pieces work beautifully too, particularly as a formal accent in an entryway or home office.

• 9' x 12'
• 10' x 14'

Character That Deepens With Age

Vintage and antique character matter more in this category than almost any other we sell. A genuinely aged oriental rug develops a soft, uneven patina that no new rug can fake, and that character is a large part of why these pieces hold, and often increase, in value over decades.

Because a piece in this category represents genuinely significant weaving time, our rug care guide is worth reading closely — proper care here is protecting decades of a weaver's skilled work.

If you'd like guidance on which regional style or size suits your room, our Design Studio and rug size guide are both built to help with exactly that kind of decision.