Skip to main content

Antique Runners

to
287
1,587
320
1,129
1,129
814
560
248
163
104
81
79
76
74
47
38
38
27
25
20
15
15
11
8
7
5
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
21
2
2
2
1
Gorgeous Floral Turkish Melas Antique Runner
Gorgeous Floral Turkish Melas Antique Runner

Gorgeous Floral Turkish Melas Antique Runner

Located in New York, NY

A fine quality Early 20th-century wide Turkish runner with a floral motif in warm colors Measures: 4'5” x 10'10”.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Romantic Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Kazak Runner 3'6'' x 10'9''
Antique Kazak Runner 3'6'' x 10'9''

Antique Kazak Runner 3'6'' x 10'9''

Located in New York, NY

East rather than west Caucasian, this sapphire blue ground Kenare (runner) displays four red pinched oval medallions, with secondary Kufesque squares and tertiary geometric ivory flo...

Category

1890s Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Chinese Runner (Size Adjusted) Doris Leslie Blau
Chinese Runner (Size Adjusted) Doris Leslie Blau

Chinese Runner (Size Adjusted) Doris Leslie Blau

Located in New York, NY

Chinese Runner (Size Adjusted) Size: 2'7" × 11'7" (78 × 353 cm) This exquisite antique Chinese runner, size-adjusted for versatility, embodies the timeless elegance of traditional Ch...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Sage Green Narrow Antique Oushak Runner
Sage Green Narrow Antique Oushak Runner

Sage Green Narrow Antique Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

A rare size early 20th century antique Oushak runner in sage green and warm terracotta accents.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Adirondack Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Amazing Early 20th Century Shirvan Runner
Amazing Early 20th Century Shirvan Runner

Amazing Early 20th Century Shirvan Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An amazing early 20th century Azerbaijani Shirvan runner with several stylized flower medallions woven in crimson, white, and indigo, on an abrash indigo background amidst a field of...

Category

Early 1900s Azerbaijani Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Turn-of-the-Century Yalameh Runner
Turn-of-the-Century Yalameh Runner

Turn-of-the-Century Yalameh Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

Truly a beautiful runner!

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kuba Runner
Late 19th Century Caucasian Kuba Runner

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kuba Runner

Located in Closter, NJ

These rugs are often woven on indigo fields. This runner has a repeat pattern of polychrome latch-hook medallions within a Kufic border.

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Kazak Antique runner - 4'5" x 9'3"
Kazak Antique runner - 4'5" x 9'3"

Kazak Antique runner - 4'5" x 9'3"

Located in New York, NY

Introducing the Kazak Cornflower Blue Diamond Medallion Runner - a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and design.

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Turkish Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Turkish Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Turkish Kilim Runner

Located in New York, NY

Turkish, circa 1920 Handwoven.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Kilim Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Fine Antique Camel Ground Bakshaish Runner Rug
Fine Antique Camel Ground Bakshaish Runner Rug

Fine Antique Camel Ground Bakshaish Runner Rug

Located in Milan, IT

The overall warm palette, with soft colour contrasts, makes this runner an ideal complement for a range of interiors, from traditional to modern.

Category

1880s Azerbaijani Bakshaish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Pretty distressed antique Turkish runner
Bobyrug’s Pretty distressed antique Turkish runner

Bobyrug’s Pretty distressed antique Turkish runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Despite its well-worn appearance due to age and use, the runner exhibits the timeless charm of Oushak designs.

Category

Mid-19th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Genje Runner 3'2'' x 14'1''
Antique Genje Runner 3'2'' x 14'1''

Antique Genje Runner 3'2'' x 14'1''

$4,320Sale Price|23% Off

Antique Genje Runner 3'2'' x 14'1''

Located in New York, NY

Antique Genje Runner 3'2'' x 14'1''. Not a Caucasian Gendje, but something from a village south of the bordering Arax river.

Category

1920s Asian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner, circa 1870s
Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner, circa 1870s

Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner, circa 1870s

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This beautiful Kazak runner is exemplary of its style.

Category

1870s Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Lezgi Shirvan Runner - Late 19th Century
Antique Lezgi Shirvan Runner - Late 19th Century

Antique Lezgi Shirvan Runner - Late 19th Century

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

This rare late 19th century Caucasian Shirvan Lezgi runner highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition featuring a vertical arrangement of five iconic “Lesghi star” meda...

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Worn Out Antique Turkish Oushak Runner
Worn Out Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Worn Out Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

Rug Number 25728 Size 3' 3" X 7' 8" Design Oushak Collection Antique/Vintage Material Wool Texture Pile Weave Origin Turkey Age Antique/Vintage

Category

Early 1900s Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Rustic 19th Century Caucasian Talish Runner
Rustic 19th Century Caucasian Talish Runner

Rustic 19th Century Caucasian Talish Runner

Located in New York, NY

Lovely Caucasian Talish runner from the late 19th century in earth red, blue ivory red and yellow accents.

Category

Late 19th Century Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century, circa 1920, Persian Qazvin Kilim runner with intricately woven multicolored pattern surrounded by multiple complementary borders.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century Persian Qazvin Kilim runner with all-over tree-of-life pattern surrounded by a complementary geometric border.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A wonderful early 20th century Persian Qazvin Kilim runner with an intricately woven multicolored floral pattern on a brown ground, surrounded by a complementary geometric border.

Category

Early 1900s Asian Kilim Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Caucasian Antique runner - 3'9" x 9'7"
Caucasian Antique runner - 3'9" x 9'7"

Caucasian Antique runner - 3'9" x 9'7"

Located in New York, NY

In conclusion, our Caucasian runner is a work of art that captures the essence of tradition, elegance, and nature's beauty.

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Beshir Long Runner, Dynamic and Collectible, Rare
Beshir Long Runner, Dynamic and Collectible, Rare

Beshir Long Runner, Dynamic and Collectible, Rare

Located in WYNNUM, QLD

Rare and superb example of 19th century Beshir long rug. Investment collectible, especially at this 50% discount price. Excellent condition. The Beshir were an off-shoot tribe of th...

Category

Early 19th Century Turkmen Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Ersari Runner
Early 20th Century Persian Ersari Runner

Early 20th Century Persian Ersari Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century Persian Ersari runner with a brilliant alternating multicolored zigzag diamond pattern surrounded by a simple contrasting border.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Russian Karabakh Rug Runner
Antique Caucasian Russian Karabakh Rug Runner

Antique Caucasian Russian Karabakh Rug Runner

Located in Dallas, TX

78186 antique Caucasian Rose Karabakh Hallway Runner, 03'10 x 16'00. This hand-knotted wool antique Caucasian Karabakh carpet runner is poised to impress with its effortless beauty a...

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Bohemian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner circa 1900
Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner circa 1900

Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner circa 1900

Located in Morton Grove, IL

All dyes used to make this runner are of organic nature. There are no restorations on this rug and it is found to be in excellent condition.

Category

Early 1900s Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection 19th century Antique Talish Runner
Zabihi Collection 19th century Antique Talish Runner

Zabihi Collection 19th century Antique Talish Runner

Located in New York, NY

Description a fine late 19th Century Talish Runner Details rug no. j4557 size 3' 4" x 8' 10" (102 x 269 cm)

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Red Oushak Runner
Early 20th Century Red Oushak Runner

Early 20th Century Red Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

The blood red field of this western Anatolian workshop runner displays a comfortably situated Yaprak (Leaf) pattern accented in powder blue, pale green, light rust and ivory.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Wonderful Early 20th Century Karabakh Runner
Wonderful Early 20th Century Karabakh Runner

Wonderful Early 20th Century Karabakh Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A wonderful early 20th century Karabakh runner with an all-over tree-of-life floral pattern woven in pink, gold, green, and pale indigo on a dark fuchsia background.

Category

1910s Azerbaijani Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Floral Design Runner - Late 19th Century
Antique Floral Design Runner - Late 19th Century

Antique Floral Design Runner - Late 19th Century

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

The central field is framed by a sophisticated border system that provides a robust contrast to the delicate interior lattice. The main border, set against a vibrant terracotta red g...

Category

Late 19th Century Azerbaijani Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Shiraz Style Runner with Diamond Medallion Lattice
Antique Shiraz Style Runner with Diamond Medallion Lattice

Antique Shiraz Style Runner with Diamond Medallion Lattice

Located in New York, NY

This refined antique Shiraz style runner showcases a classic tribal lattice of stepped diamond medallions arranged along a narrow, elongated field.

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Caucasian Rug Lezghi Runner, 19th Century
Caucasian Rug Lezghi Runner, 19th Century

Caucasian Rug Lezghi Runner, 19th Century

Located in Ferrara, IT

An antique Lesghi runner measuring 265 × 121 cm (8' 8" × 3' 11") knotted in the 19th century by the Lesghi populations who live in terraced villages in northwestern Dagestan.

Category

19th Century Caucasian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Late 19th Century Geometric Design Runner
Antique Late 19th Century Geometric Design Runner

Antique Late 19th Century Geometric Design Runner

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

Surrounding the central field is a lively border system featuring stylized geometric motifs, including hooked forms, angular leaves, and symbolic tribal elements. The reciprocal bord...

Category

Late 19th Century Azerbaijani Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Late 19th Century Floral Design Runner
Antique Late 19th Century Floral Design Runner

Antique Late 19th Century Floral Design Runner

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

The color palette is masterfully balanced, featuring a primary cream ground that serves as a serene canvas for the vibrant shifts of madder red, sapphire blue, and soft ochre. These ...

Category

Late 19th Century Azerbaijani Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Rare Caucasian Sumak Runner, 19th Century
Rare Caucasian Sumak Runner, 19th Century

Rare Caucasian Sumak Runner, 19th Century

Located in Dublin, NH

Rare Caucasian Sumak Runner, 19th Century (4th Quarter) This crisp Sumak runner was woven in the villages of the southern Caucasus about 125 years ago.

Category

19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Orange Turkish Oushak Runner, Circa 1920s
Orange Turkish Oushak Runner, Circa 1920s

Orange Turkish Oushak Runner, Circa 1920s

Located in New York, NY

This vintage 1920s Oushak runner has been woven in a village setting by an experienced weaver.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner, circa 1920
Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner, circa 1920

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner, circa 1920

Located in Morton Grove, IL

An outstanding example of Caucasian carpets woven in the European style created by Caucasian artisans, this corridor size runner features a floral composition on a black field surrou...

Category

1920s Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

ON SALE Antique Caucasian Rug Runner
ON SALE Antique Caucasian Rug Runner

ON SALE Antique Caucasian Rug Runner

$2,060Sale Price|20% Off

ON SALE Antique Caucasian Rug Runner

Located in Katonah, NY

Many years of enjoyment to come with this hand knotted Caucasian rug runner made in the Caucasus region circa 1890's vintage.

Category

1890s Caucasian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Karabagh Runner Rug – 18’3” x 6’9”
Antique Karabagh Runner Rug – 18’3” x 6’9”

Antique Karabagh Runner Rug – 18’3” x 6’9”

Located in Los Angeles, US

An exquisite 19th-century Karabagh runner rug, handwoven circa 1850 in the Caucasus region.

Category

19th Century Caucasian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Bessarabian Kilim Runner
Late 19th Century Bessarabian Kilim Runner

Late 19th Century Bessarabian Kilim Runner

Located in Dublin, NH

Like many Bessarabian kilims, this runner shows a synthesis of local folk motifs and designs inspired by 18th century French carpets popular at the Russian Court and in aristocratic ...

Category

19th Century Romanian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Long Antique Turkish Oushak Runner
Zabihi Collection Long Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Zabihi Collection Long Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

An authentic antique oushak runner. Accents in powder blue and mustard on a bone colored field and border. 3'1'' x 17'5''

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Archaistic Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Qazvin Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Persian Qazvin Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Persian Qazvin Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century Persian Qazvin Kilim runner with all-over multicolored geometric crisscrossing diamond pattern surrounded by multiple contrasting borders.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Nice Antique Turkish Oushak Runner
Bobyrug’s Nice Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Bobyrug’s Nice Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Pretty antique Turkish oushak runner with beautiful simple design and nice natural colors with a red field, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on wool foundation. ✨✨✨ "Experienc...

Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Melon Red Floral Turkish Ghiordes Runner
Zabihi Collection Melon Red Floral Turkish Ghiordes Runner

Zabihi Collection Melon Red Floral Turkish Ghiordes Runner

Located in New York, NY

Early 20th century melon red field Turkish Ghiordes runner with an enchanting floral motif Measures: 3'5” x 12'9”.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Romantic Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Pretty Antique North Western Runner
Bobyrug’s Pretty Antique North Western Runner

Bobyrug’s Pretty Antique North Western Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Beautiful late 19th century tribal kurdish runner with beautiful geometrical design and nice natural colors, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on cotton foundation. ✨✨✨ "Experi...

Category

Late 19th Century Asian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Hamadan Persian Wool Area Rug Runner C1920
Antique Hamadan Persian Wool Area Rug Runner C1920

Antique Hamadan Persian Wool Area Rug Runner C1920

Located in Big Flats, NY

This antique Hamadan Persian area rug runner, hand-knotted from wool, dates to approximately 1920.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Long Vintage Moroccan Berbere Runner
Bobyrug’s Long Vintage Moroccan Berbere Runner

Bobyrug’s Long Vintage Moroccan Berbere Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Very beautiful and original vintage Moroccan runner with nice red field color and geometrical tribal design, first half of the 20th century, entirely hand knotted with wool velvet on...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Caucasian Rug Lezghi Runner Geometric Design
Caucasian Rug Lezghi Runner Geometric Design

Caucasian Rug Lezghi Runner Geometric Design

Located in Ferrara, IT

This is a Caucasian rug Lezghi woven in the Caucasus mountains circa 1880. The field design is made up of repeating Lezghi star motifs. The main border is designed with alternating ...

Category

1880s Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Turkish Kars Runner with Stepped Diamond Medallion
Antique Turkish Kars Runner with Stepped Diamond Medallion

Antique Turkish Kars Runner with Stepped Diamond Medallion

Located in New York, NY

This antique Kars runner features a striking vertical arrangement of elongated stepped diamond medallions set against a warm ivory ground.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Shirvan Caucasian Runner, AS IS
Antique Shirvan Caucasian Runner, AS IS

Antique Shirvan Caucasian Runner, AS IS

Located in Evanston, IL

The historic Khanate or administrative district of Shirvan produced many highly decorative antique rugs that have a formality and stylistic complexity that is found in few rugs from ...

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Contemporary Navy and Taupe Vintage Runner
Contemporary Navy and Taupe Vintage Runner

Contemporary Navy and Taupe Vintage Runner

Located in New York, NY

Ref DB13408

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Farm Pastel Runner with Black Field
Farm Pastel Runner with Black Field

Farm Pastel Runner with Black Field

Located in New York, NY

Ref 67328

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Salmon Red Floral Border Oushak Runner
Salmon Red Floral Border Oushak Runner

Salmon Red Floral Border Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

Ref C69321

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Persian Kelardasht Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Persian Kelardasht Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Persian Kelardasht Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

An early 20th century Persian Kelardasht Kilim runner with zigzag woven pattern surrounded by a complementary border.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Runner
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Runner

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

This early 20th-century Chinese Art Deco runner is a stunning blend of elegance and rich color.

Category

1920s Chinese Art Deco Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Wonderful Long Antique Kazak Runner
Bobyrug’s Wonderful Long Antique Kazak Runner

Bobyrug’s Wonderful Long Antique Kazak Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Discover the timeless elegance of our late 19th-century Caucasian runner, a true masterpiece. Immerse yourself in the intricate geometrical design, adorned with vibrant blue, orange,...

Category

Late 19th Century Kazakhstani Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Silk American Rag Runner
Zabihi Collection Silk American Rag Runner

Zabihi Collection Silk American Rag Runner

Located in New York, NY

United States, Early 20th Century A rare silk and wool American Rag rug Runne with a polychrome striated line pattern overall Measures: 3'4'' x 9'4''.

Category

Early 20th Century American Steampunk Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Silk

Doris Leslie Blau Antique 17th Century Cairene Runner
Doris Leslie Blau Antique 17th Century Cairene Runner

Doris Leslie Blau Antique 17th Century Cairene Runner

Located in New York, NY

Antique 17th Century Cairene Runner Size: 2'8" × 12'9" (81 × 388 cm) A rare and historically significant textile, this antique 17th-century Cairene runner is a masterwork of Egyptian...

Category

17th Century Egyptian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antique Runners", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antique Runners For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique runners is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique antique runners was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, wool and cotton. Antique runners have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Antique runners made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — are very popular at 1stDibs. Many antique runners are appealing in their simplicity, but Mehraban Rugs, William Morris (English) and Hadji Jalili produced popular antique runners that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Runners?

Prices for antique runners can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique runners begin at $120 and can go as high as $180,000, while the average can fetch as much as $4,987.

Finding the Right Rugs-carpets for You

Good antique rugs and vintage rugs have made their way into homes across the globe, becoming fixtures used for comfort, prayer and self-expression, so choosing the right area rug is officially a universal endeavor.

In modern usage, “carpet” typically denotes a wall-to-wall floor cushioning that is fixed to the floor. Rugs, on the other hand, are designed to cover a specific area and can easily be moved to new locations. However, the terms are interchangeable in many parts of the world, and, in the end, it won’t matter what you decide to call it.

It’s well known that a timeless Persian rug or vintage Turkish rug can warm any interior, but there are lots of other styles of antique rugs to choose from when you're endeavoring to introduce fresh colors and textures to a bedroom or living room.

Moroccan Berber rugs are not all about pattern. In fact, some of the most striking examples are nearly monochrome. But what these rugs lack in complexity, they make up for in brilliant color and subtle variation. Moroccan-style interiors can be mesmerizing — a sitting room of this type might feature a Moroccan rug, carved wooden screens and a tapestry hung behind the sofa.

Handwoven kilim rugs, known for their wealth of rich colors and unique weaving tradition, are pileless: Whereas the Beni Ourain rugs of Morocco can be described as dense with a thick surface or pile, an authentic kilim rug is thin and flat. (The term “kilim” is Turkish in origin, but this type of textile artistry is practiced all across the Balkans, throughout the Arab world and elsewhere.) 

When it comes to eye-catching floor coverings, the distinctive “medallion” pattern of Oushak rugs has two types of rounded shapes alternating against a rich red or blue background created with natural dyes, while the elaborate “star” pattern involves large eight-pointed shapes in diagonal rows alternating with diamonds.  

If you’re looking for something unexpected, find a runner rug that pops in your hallway or on your stairs. Dig for dazzling geometric patterns in our inventory of mid-century modern rugs and carpets, which includes works designed by the likes of Swedish textile masters Märta Måås-Fjetterström, Marianne Richter and other artisans. 

Carpets and rugs have been around for thousands of years. Prehistoric humans turned to animal skin, wool and fur to craft simple fabrics to soften hard terrain. A 2016 study suggests that "cave lions" were hunted for exactly this purpose, and that decorating your cave with their pelts may have conferred strength and prestige. Although many of these early textiles are still in existence, tracing their precise origins is difficult. Carpets quickly became such a valuable trade commodity that the weavings could easily travel far from their places of origin. 

The oldest known carpet was found in southern Siberia. (It may have traveled there from Persepolis in Iran.) For the flat-weave floor rugs crafted by Native Americans, cotton was the primary material before sheep’s wool was introduced in the 16th century. In Europe, carpet-making was fundamental to folk art, and Asian carpets imported to European countries were at one time considered a precious luxury and not intended to remain permanently on the floor. 

With the variety of area rugs and carpets rolled out for you on 1stDibs — a collection that includes traditional, modern, minimalist rugs and other coverings of all kinds — things will be looking up whenever you’re looking down.