Post war production of Romanian rugs and carpets increased with the construction of large workshops. These rugs and carpets were constructed with a cotton warp and weft with a robust wool pile. The Persian Herati designs closely resembled Tabriz and Bidjar rugs and carpets, but used a softer colour pallet of beige and gold’s with soft blues, pinks and greens. these softer colours were favoured by the western interior designers, and coupled with a cheaper price tag than the equivalent Persian rug or carpet they proved very popular. Romanian rug and carpet production came to an abrupt end soon after the execution of Nicolae Ceausescu, Romania’s last communist leader on the 25th December 1989.

The Jewish arts and crafts movement was founded in Jerusalem Palestine in 1906 and flourished until around 1929. One of the aims was to bring together rug and carpet manufacturing skills from all the main handmade rug and carpet producing countries. By weaving their own distinct designs including various Jewish temples and iconic images of Mount Sinai and the Menorah (Jewish candelabra), it was thought that it would begin a Jewish art movement. Today Betzalel rugs and carpets are scarce and very collectable.

The famous carpets and rugs of Feraghan have been produced since the mid eighteenth century. Their designs are usually a fine version of the Herati pattern. The Feraghan name is also used for carpets and rugs produced in and around the city of Sultanabad (Arak). The medium and lower quality carpets and rugs from this region are generally known as Mahal’s.

Kelim rugs are produced through out the Oriental rug weaving world. These rugs are woven flat similar to a tapestry. They have no pile and are usually reversible. Their designs are mostly geometric in nature and the colouring is similar to piled Oriental rugs but usually with a smaller pallet. Kelim rugs are designed to be used for tent hangings, curtains, grain and food bags and decoration. They are also used to decorate horse and camel harnesses and saddlebags. In the west the Kelim rug has become a essential item in both the traditional and modern home.

The Caucasian town of Akstafa lies approximately 7 miles north east of Kazakh Azerbaijan. despite being close to the Kazak rug weaving area, these rugs are far closer to Shirvan rugs in structure. The Akstafa rugs are very distinctive in design and are highly desired by Caucasian rug collector’s.

London is one of the worlds premier centres for old and antique Oriental rugs and carpets. Mainly due to her important ties with Persia and her outposts during the time of the British Empire, in particular India, London soon became known throughout the world as the place to purchase fine oriental rugs and carpets. Take a look inside any of Britain’s grand houses or stately homes and you will find an eclectic mix of Oriental rugs and carpets from many parts of the rug and carpet producing world. Today London’s Oriental rug and carpet warehouses are still an important centre and a tour around them is a wonder to behold.

Originally all dyes used in Oriental rug and carpet weaving were made from animal and vegetable substances. The wild madder root is most often used in rug and carpet production resulting in various shades of red. Blues are obtained from the Indigo plant, and yellow dyes from Milkwort (Isperek) or Saffron Crocus and vine leaves. Black colours are made from mixing henna with Indigo or by using logwood (brazilwood) combined with ferrous sulphate. unfortunately ferrous sulphate is corrosive resulting in the wool being eaten away, which is why many old and antique rugs and carpets have an embossed look.

The Holy Persian city of Qum lies 97 miles south west of Tehran. Qum has been an important theological centre for Shia Islam since the early sixteenth century. Despite not having a long history of weaving, Qum has secured its position as Iran’s premier producer of silk rugs and carpets. Famous for their soft pastel colours and fine weaving, Qum’s rugs and carpets are now world famous and highly prized.

These rugs are made by a section of the tribe which lives a semi-nomadic life between Shiraz and Kerman. There are two other smaller Afshar groups, one near Bijar and the other near lake Urmia. The Afshar tribe was among those listed as the clans of Turkoman Oghuz in the eleventh century by Mahmud Kashghari. Nadir Shar who was Shar of Iran from 1736 to 1747 was an Afshar. Afshar rugs are highly respected and collectable, and are distinctive in both design and weave.

David Wilkins has been guiding his clients around London’s oriental rug warehouses for over 35 years. Now run by his son Alex, who has been in the business for more than 20 years, we escort our customers around the maze of London’s wholesale oriental rug warehouses. London is still one of the worlds  biggest centres for oriental rug and carpets from Persia (Iran), India, Pakistan and many other rug producing country’s. So why not make an appointment to view the huge selection in London’s wholesale oriental rug and carpet warehouses.