Rug and carpet production began in Ushak around the fifteenth century. The rugs and carpets woven from this period and up to the seventeenth century have been greatly valued in the grand houses of Europe. Rugs and carpets from Ushak have also been immortalized in paintings by Lotto and Hans Holbein, these names are now used to describe particular types of Ushaks. The production of rugs and carpets in Ushak began to decline in quality through the nineteenth century, with huge numbers being woven up until the early twentieth century. these later rugs and carpets are commonly known as Turkey carpets and are widely available.

The people of the Persian Kashkuli tribe are close kin to the more famous Qashqai tribe. These people of south west Iran are Turkic in origin and still speak a dialect of Turkish today. The Kashkuli people still lead a semi-nomadic life, mainly based in and around the Iranian town of Shiraz, and migrating into the mountains of the Fars province during the summer months. The rugs and carpets produced by the Kashkuli tribes are renowned as the finest available from the nomadic community and production is very limited.

The Persian Safavid dynasty (1501-1722) is considered the beginning of modern Persia and established the school of Shia Islam as the official religion. The Safavids transformed the rug and carpet production into the status of a national industry. Many fine rugs and carpets were produced in Isfahan, Kashan and Kerman. Not only did their adorn the Palaces and Mosques of Persia but they were also presented to Monarchs and dignitaries of the known world. The most famous of these carpets still in existence is the Ardabil carpet in the V & A Museum London, and a world record price for a carpet of £21.8 million has just been achieved at Sotheby's New York for a Safavid dynasty rug.

The town of Hereke some 50 miles east of Istanbul became a court appointed weaving centre in 1844. Master weavers from the Persian Town of Kerman were imported to train the local people. The designs used are reminiscent of Persian Kerman's but Hereke also borrowed designs from other Persian cities. Although Hereke produced fine wool rugs and carpets its the very fine silk rugs and carpets that brought it to the worlds attention. Unfortunately due to the economic situation in Turkey with increasing wages the fine silk rugs and carpets have all but ceased production.

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.