The craft of making Oriental and Persian rugs is only part of a world-wide industry featuring beautiful design, detailed workmanship and a rich, vibrant history.

Evidence suggests that thousands of years ago, nomadic tribesmen between Eurasia and Mongolia were the first to create pile carpets, weaving them to add warmth and comfort to their simple tent homes. Slowly their skills transformed into an art as more and more tribes mastered the techniques and incorporated their creativity into the designs. Rugs became common among these people, adding personality and beauty to their sparse surroundings.

Today's rug designs may be more sophisticated, but they serve much the same purpose, lending beauty, warmth and personality to enhance a home. That's why many interior designers recommend hand-made Oriental and Persian area rugs to their clients as a final touch of elegance to the decor.

When considering a rug for your home, there are a number of reasons why you might decide upon handmade Oriental or Persian rugs instead of machine-made ones. Quality is the most important consideration. Handmade rugs are much more durable than mass-produced machine made rugs. Handmade rugs are usually made with natural materials such as cotton, wool or silk. These natural fibers last longer and release no harmful gasses into the environment over time. And since each rug is hand-knotted, each strand has been tied individually for greater combined strength and consistency.