Contemporary Area Rugs: A Brief Historical Prospective

Floor coverings were first used in prehistoric times when grass, leaves and branches were strewn over bare rock and dirt. The first definable area rugs comprised reed matting and animal skins early in the Paleolithic Age, commonly known as the Stone Age, the longest and developmentally the most important era in human history. Over time, materials changed; durability improved, and the quality, beauty and variety of rugs virtually exploded into the kaleidoscope of choices available today.

Historical Overview

Segei Ivanovich Rudenko discovered the earliest area rug to date in 1949 during a Russian archeological expedition in Siberia. Because it lay completely encased in ice for 2,500 years, the condition and color of the Pazyryk rug were exquisitely preserved for its age. The wool rug was hand-knotted, a technique still used in creating area rugs today.

A slightly younger area rug, called Spring of Khosrau, was owned by the king of Persia and spans 400,000 square feet. Nearly priceless in any age, this hand-knotted area rug incorporated wool, silk, gold, silver, and precious gems into its weave.

Area rug manufacture spread from Persia and very slowly made its way onto the European continent. Dated within the 14th century, the earliest European rugs that still exist pre-date the Muslim invasion.

By the 17th century, techniques used to manufacture area or throw rugs found its way to England and from there, to America where its first area rug was made in 1791, compliments of the first woven carpet mill owned by William Sprague in Philadelphia. In 1839, Erastus Bigelow invented the first powered loom, and mass manufacture of rugs and carpet was born.

Contemporary Impact

As you imagine and plan redecorating your home and consider what area rugs you might like, that braided oval under the dining room table may be a hand-knotted creation made of both natural and synthetic fibers.

The diamond shapes decorating the area rug in the hallway has its roots in ancient Persia, now Iran, and the tufted area rugs on the bathroom floor may be descendent from a weaving method invented by Catherine Evan Whitener in Dalton, GA. Her method of making bedspreads became extremely popular and made Dalton the Bedspread Capital of the World.

The Oriental and silk rugs have always been in great demand from its European introduction to current times. The meticulous craftsmanship and rich coloring have stood well the test of time, and while most Oriental rugs purchased today are no longer used as wall art, the high-end creations are still hung in an honorable tradition. Silk is a tender fabric that is strengthened by interwoven cotton strands that soak up and hold dyes and inks every well, lending a beauty that lasts with proper care for generations.

Time's Continuing Cycle

With the 20th century advent of vintage patina, finishing processes of various goods, commonly seen on photographs, artificial aging found its way into area rug manufacture. Today, one popular tangent of rug manufacture incorporates an aging process that lends and old world charm to new products. The area rug in front of the cast iron, pot-bellied stove could well be a product of the trend from 2010 in interior decorating—the one that proves that everything old becomes new once again.

Enjoy the area rugs in your home. Made for comfort, aesthetics, and longevity, what you purchase today may be rediscovered generations from now.

By: Charlie A Dima

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Charlie Dima writes out of Earth City, MO about home improvement tips and DIY projects, including the installation of carpet and area rugs. Always looking for the most affordable prices and well-known brands, she tends to end up shopping at www.carpetone.com more often than not.