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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

Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Oushak Runner
Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

an early 20th Century Colorful Antique Turkish Oushak Runner Details rug no. j4073 size 3' 2" x 11' 9" (97 x 358 cm)

Category

Early 20th Century Country Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Bessarabian Runner
Early 20th Century Antique Bessarabian Runner

Early 20th Century Antique Bessarabian Runner

Located in Los Angeles, US

Antique Bessarabian Rugs / Kilims in both pile and tapestry weaving technique are some of the more beautiful carpets to have been produced in Europe. Many of the Bessarabian Kilims w...

Category

Early 1900s Asian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Zabihi Collection Antique Ghiordes Small Floral Runner
Zabihi Collection Antique Ghiordes Small Floral Runner

Zabihi Collection Antique Ghiordes Small Floral Runner

Located in New York, NY

An authentic small late 19th centuryTurkish Ghiordes runner with a floral motif. Measures: 3'6'' x 7'.  

Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Art Nouveau Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Chinese Peking Runner Carpet
Early 20th Century Chinese Peking Runner Carpet

Early 20th Century Chinese Peking Runner Carpet

Located in New York, NY

Early 20th Century Chinese Peking Runner Carpet 2' 8"x 11' 6"

Category

1910s Chinese Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Kurdish Runner with Memling Gul Design
Antique Kurdish Runner with Memling Gul Design

Antique Kurdish Runner with Memling Gul Design

Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, GB

Antique Kurdish runner with Memling gul design. A good Kurdish runner with eight large Memling guls in soft pastel colours.

Category

19th Century Caucasian 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 all-over multicolored diamond pattern on a natural wool background surrounded by a complementary diamond border.

Category

Early 20th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Turkish Oushak Pigeon Small Runner
Zabihi Collection Turkish Oushak Pigeon Small Runner

Zabihi Collection Turkish Oushak Pigeon Small Runner

Located in New York, NY

an early 20th-century Turkish Oushak Runner in soft coral red with a geometric design.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Adirondack Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Central Asian Khotan Runner
Early 20th Century Central Asian Khotan Runner

Early 20th Century Central Asian Khotan Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A charming petite early 20th century Central Asian Khotan runner with a mirrored floral pattern containing three flora medallions in a field of even more stylized flowers, surrounded...

Category

1920s Central Asian Khotan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Antique Kilim Runner
Early 20th Century Antique Kilim Runner

Early 20th Century Antique Kilim Runner

Located in Los Angeles, US

Antique rugs that are called “Kilim rugs”, primarily refer to a type of flat weave rug that was produced without knotted pile. Because these antique rugs are found across the globe, ...

Category

Early 1900s Asian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner Rug, 19th Century
Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner Rug, 19th Century

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner Rug, 19th Century

Located in Dublin, NH

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner Rug, 19th Century (4th Quarter) Additional Information: Dimensions: 3'8" W x 13'1" L Origin: Caucasus Period: 19th Century (4th Quarter) Rug ID: 12256

Category

19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Authentic Antique Hand Knotted Azarbayjan Tribal Runner Rug
Authentic Antique Hand Knotted Azarbayjan Tribal Runner Rug

Authentic Antique Hand Knotted Azarbayjan Tribal Runner Rug

Located in San Diego, CA

Measuring approximately 4 feet wide by 10 feet 8 inches long, this rug is an ideal statement runner for hallways, entryways, galleries, or large living spaces.

Category

Early 1900s Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Turkish Runner , c- 1900 AS IS
Antique Turkish Runner , c- 1900 AS IS

Antique Turkish Runner , c- 1900 AS IS

Located in Evanston, IL

Antique Anatolian Turkish runner, Unusual. This charming runner rug features a natural color scheme that would be perfect for a space that reflects the natural world.

Category

19th Century Turkish Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Persian Shirvan Kilim Runner
Late 19th Century Persian Shirvan Kilim Runner

Late 19th Century Persian Shirvan Kilim Runner

Located in Chicago, IL

A late 19th century Persian Shirvan kilim runner with a central crimson field surrounded by a wonderful geometric border.

Category

19th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Turkish Khotan Handmade Red Wool Runner
Antique Turkish Khotan Handmade Red Wool Runner

Antique Turkish Khotan Handmade Red Wool Runner

Located in Norwalk, CT

This runner measures 4'1" x 8'6".

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Khotan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner
Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner

By Mehraban Rugs

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

Festive diamond lattice pattern with a pile of ribbon-like recycled textiles. The palette features rich oranges and browns, blues, pale yellow, white, green, and pink. A vivid vintag...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner, Heraty Motif, Circa 1900
Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner, Heraty Motif, Circa 1900

Antique Caucasian Karabagh Runner, Heraty Motif, Circa 1900

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

Elegant beautiful Caucasic runner with motif "heraty", red and hivory on a black background: typical in the Karabagh (or Garebagh) carpets.

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Handwoven Antique Brown Floral Vine Karabagh Runner
Handwoven Antique Brown Floral Vine Karabagh Runner

Handwoven Antique Brown Floral Vine Karabagh Runner

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This handwoven antique Karabagh runner has a chocolate-brown field with and overall buff-brown angular floral and leaf vine, in a chocolate-brown border of buff-brown meandering flor...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Mehraban Vintage Turkish Anatolian Konya Runner
Mehraban Vintage Turkish Anatolian Konya Runner

Mehraban Vintage Turkish Anatolian Konya Runner

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

Konya is a noteworthy masterpiece that brings sophistication to any room. Three grandiose sets consisting of motifs and elements work well with the remarkable borders. Turkish Anatol...

Category

1920s Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Handwoven Long Wool Charcoal-Brown Caucasian Runner
Handwoven Long Wool Charcoal-Brown Caucasian Runner

Handwoven Long Wool Charcoal-Brown Caucasian Runner

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This antique Karabagh runner has a charcoal-brown field with diagonal rows of buff-brown and shaded fox-brown angular palmettes, in a charcoal-brown border of buff-brown angular vine...

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Sivas Runner - 3rd quarter of 19th century
Antique Sivas Runner - 3rd quarter of 19th century

Antique Sivas Runner - 3rd quarter of 19th century

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

This antique Sivas runner is an elegant example of traditional Turkish weaving.

Category

Mid-19th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner
Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner

By Mehraban Rugs

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

The variegated, red-inclined field features a central column of three stepped diamonds with internal diamond shapes and sawtooth border along the bottom edge. Primary colors include ...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner
Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner

Vintage Moroccan Boujad Tribe Berber Runner

By Mehraban Rugs

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

Alternating chevron stripes of rosy pinks and mottled brown run the width of the field. A column of irregular diamonds with nested contours in matching coloration runs through the ce...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Charming Antique Turquoise Floral Irish Donegal Runner
Charming Antique Turquoise Floral Irish Donegal Runner

Charming Antique Turquoise Floral Irish Donegal Runner

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This antique Irish Donegal runner has a shaded turquoise field with a dusty-pink, tomato-red, lime-green scrolling flowerhead and leafy vine around a column of four bold similarly co...

Category

Late 19th Century Irish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique French Aubusson Runner Rug Doris Leslie Blau
Antique French Aubusson Runner Rug Doris Leslie Blau

Antique French Aubusson Runner Rug Doris Leslie Blau

Located in New York, NY

Antique French Aubusson Runner Rug Doris Leslie Blau Size: 3'8" × 11'5" (111 × 347 cm) refined aesthetic and masterful craftsmanship of 19th-century French textile art.

Category

Early 20th Century French Aubusson Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

American Victorian Green Silk and Velvet Table Runner

American Victorian Green Silk and Velvet Table Runner

Located in Queens, NY

American Victorian green silk and velvet embroidered table runner

Category

19th Century American Victorian Antique Runners

Antique Saraband Runner Rug 5'4'' X 2'2''
Antique Saraband Runner Rug 5'4'' X 2'2''

Antique Saraband Runner Rug 5'4'' X 2'2''

Located in Los Angeles, US

Antique Saraband Runner Rug 5'4'' X 2'2''

Category

1920s Unknown Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Kilim Runner Rug 14'4'' X 4'10''
Antique Kilim Runner Rug 14'4'' X 4'10''

Antique Kilim Runner Rug 14'4'' X 4'10''

Located in Los Angeles, US

Antique Kilim Runner Rug 14'4'' X 4'10''

Category

Early 1900s Asian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Doris Leslie Blau Antique Indian Runner Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Indian Runner Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Antique Indian Runner Rug

Located in New York, NY

Antique Indian Runner Rug Size: 2'6" × 16'0" (76 × 487 cm) This exquisite antique Indian runner from the early 20th century is a rare textile treasure, handwoven with remarkable atte...

Category

Early 20th Century Indian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Bessarabian Tribal Runner - 12' X 4'1''
Antique Bessarabian Tribal Runner - 12' X 4'1''

Antique Bessarabian Tribal Runner - 12' X 4'1''

Located in Los Angeles, US

Antique Bessarabian Tribal Runner Rug 12' X 4'1''

Category

Early 1900s Asian Other Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique South Caucasian Kurdish Runner R-1578
Antique South Caucasian Kurdish Runner R-1578

Antique South Caucasian Kurdish Runner R-1578

Located in Moreton-In-Marsh, GB

The runner is suitable for normal domestic use. The runner has been hand washed and is ready for use or display.

Category

19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Zabihi Collection Narrow Antique Turkish Melas Runner
Zabihi Collection Narrow Antique Turkish Melas Runner

Zabihi Collection Narrow Antique Turkish Melas Runner

Located in New York, NY

A rich colored narrow size antique Turkish Melas runner. 2'3'' x 11'9''

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Mehraban Overdyed Vintage Turkish Anatolian Runner
Mehraban Overdyed Vintage Turkish Anatolian Runner

Mehraban Overdyed Vintage Turkish Anatolian Runner

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

The vibrant elegance and cool colour scheme bring harmony to this Vintage Turkish Anatolian rug. It embodies lavish Anatolian style that features the searies of three concentric octo...

Category

1920s Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner, circa 1890
Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner, circa 1890

Antique Caucasian Kazak Runner, circa 1890

Located in Morton Grove, IL

This rug is hand woven in the Caucasus in the Kazak region. The distressed condition of the rug with all organic dyes and muted colors throughout makes it a perfect compliment for an...

Category

1890s Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Yellow Gold Antique Oushak Runner
Zabihi Collection Yellow Gold Antique Oushak Runner

Zabihi Collection Yellow Gold Antique Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

An antique Oushak runner in saffron and chartreuse with shades of lavender. 2'6'' x 11'

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Agra Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

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

Distressed Late 19th Century Caucasian Kuba Runner

Located in Closter, NJ

These rugs are often woven on indigo fields. This runner, woven exclusively in vegetal dyes, has a repeat pattern of polychrome rosettes in a saffron diamond lattice on an indigo fie...

Category

Late 19th Century Armenian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Red Worn Antique Khotan Runner
Zabihi Collection Red Worn Antique Khotan Runner

Zabihi Collection Red Worn Antique Khotan Runner

Located in New York, NY

a late 19th century one-of-a-kind worn Antique Khotan runner. 2'5'' x 9'

Category

Late 19th Century East Turkestani Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Blue Antique Talish Runner
Late 19th Century Blue Antique Talish Runner

Late 19th Century Blue Antique Talish Runner

Located in New York, NY

A late 19th-century Caucasian Tribal Talish Runner Measures: 2'11" x 7'3''

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique 19th Century Akstafa Runner Dated 1876
Antique 19th Century Akstafa Runner Dated 1876

Antique 19th Century Akstafa Runner Dated 1876

Located in San Francisco, CA

19th Century Akstafa runner dated 1876. All natural dyes, beautifully oxidized dark brown, good colors.

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Lesghi Kuba Runner Rug, Late 19th century
Lesghi Kuba Runner Rug, Late 19th century

Lesghi Kuba Runner Rug, Late 19th century

Located in Dublin, NH

Lesghi Kuba Runner Rug, Late 19th century The Collection of Dr.

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Bobyrug’s Antique Kurdish Kazak Style Runner
Bobyrug’s Antique Kurdish Kazak Style Runner

Bobyrug’s Antique Kurdish Kazak Style Runner

Located in Saint Ouen, FR

Beautiful early 20th century Kurdish rug with beautiful tribal and geometrical design and nice natural colors with cream, yellow, red and purple, entirely hand knotted with wool velv...

Category

Early 20th Century Kazakhstani Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Zabihi Collection Moghan Antique Caucasian Kazak runner
Zabihi Collection Moghan Antique Caucasian Kazak runner

Zabihi Collection Moghan Antique Caucasian Kazak runner

Located in New York, NY

An early 20th century Kazak Moghan small Runner Details rug no. 8986 size 3' 6" x 7' 7" (107 x 231 cm)

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Nude Handmade Wool Runner
Vintage Turkish Nude Handmade Wool Runner

Vintage Turkish Nude Handmade Wool Runner

Located in Norwalk, CT

Beautiful vintage Turkish hand-knotted wool rug with a beige field. This rug has tan accents in a gorgeous all-over geometric tribal design, This rug measures: 3' x 10'10".

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Late 19th Century Antique Talish Runner
Zabihi Collection Late 19th Century Antique Talish Runner

Zabihi Collection Late 19th Century Antique Talish Runner

Located in New York, NY

late 19th Century Caucasian Talish Runner Details rug no. j2991 size 3' 10" x 9' 9" (117 x 297 cm)

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Kazak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Talish Runner, Mid-19th Century
Antique Caucasian Talish Runner, Mid-19th Century

Antique Caucasian Talish Runner, Mid-19th Century

Located in Dublin, NH

Antique Caucasian Talish Runner Rug, Mid-19th Century A ten-out-of-ten for exceptional color.

Category

Mid-19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Bidjar Style Runner with Dense Herati Allover Design
Antique Bidjar Style Runner with Dense Herati Allover Design

Antique Bidjar Style Runner with Dense Herati Allover Design

Located in New York, NY

This finely woven antique Bidjar style runner exemplifies the workshop precision and extraordinary density for which Bidjar rugs are often known as the “iron rugs of Persia.”

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Runners

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Red Vintage Turkish Geometric Wool Runner
Red Vintage Turkish Geometric Wool Runner

Red Vintage Turkish Geometric Wool Runner

Located in Norwalk, CT

Beautiful vintage Turkish hand knotted wool rug with a red field. This rug has accents of brown and beige in a gorgeous all-over geometric design, This rug measures: 3'2" x 12'10".

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Red Vintage Turkish Geometric Wool Runner
Red Vintage Turkish Geometric Wool Runner

Red Vintage Turkish Geometric Wool Runner

Located in Norwalk, CT

Beautiful vintage Turkish hand knotted wool rug with a red field. This rug has accents of brown and beige in a gorgeous all-over geometric design, This rug measures: 3'1" x 11'.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Caucasian Tribal Shirvan Runner Rug
Antique Caucasian Tribal Shirvan Runner Rug

Antique Caucasian Tribal Shirvan Runner Rug

Located in New York, NY

This antique tribal Caucasian Shirvan rug is from Azerbaijan, a country located in the south Caucasus region. It is constructed of 100% handspun wool and natural dyes. This rug featu...

Category

1920s Caucasian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Wool Antique Caucasian Hand-Woven Karabagh Runner
Wool Antique Caucasian Hand-Woven Karabagh Runner

Wool Antique Caucasian Hand-Woven Karabagh Runner

Located in West Hollywood, CA

This antique Karabagh runner has a buff-brown field with an overall design of diagonal rows of ivory lozenges alternating with palmettes both linked by an angular floral vine, the bu...

Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Melas Runner
Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Melas Runner

Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Melas Runner

Located in New York, NY

A jewel-toned turn of the 20th century Turkish runner. Measures: 3'4'' x 12'3''.

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Anglo-Japanese Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

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

Zabihi Collection 19th century Antique Talish Long Runner

Located in New York, NY

a late 19th-century talish runner Details rug no. 8864 size 3' x 17' 8" (91 x 538 cm)

Category

Late 19th 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

Turkey, circa 1920 Handwoven Measures: 15'8" x 2'7" (478 x 79 cm).

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Kilim Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Large Antique Caucasian Karabagh Carpet / Runner
Large Antique Caucasian Karabagh Carpet / Runner

Large Antique Caucasian Karabagh Carpet / Runner

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Caucasian rug from the Karabagh (Karabakh) region of the southern portion of the Caucasus mountains in present day eastern Armenia and southwestern Azerbaijan, circa 1920. Impressive...

Category

1920s Caucasian Tribal Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Vintage Moroccan Azilal Tribe Berber Runner
Vintage Moroccan Azilal Tribe Berber Runner

Vintage Moroccan Azilal Tribe Berber Runner

By Mehraban Rugs

Located in WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA

Ivory field with natural black imagery including repeat diamond and triangle motifs in banded areas with pictographic forms near center. A charming and graphical, one-of-a-kind vinta...

Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Zabihi Collection Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Runner
Zabihi Collection Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Runner

Zabihi Collection Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Runner

Located in New York, NY

An early 20th-century blue turkish oushak runner Details rug no. j3751 size 3' x 10' 10" (91 x 330 cm)

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Oushak Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

Antique Anatolian Karapinar Runner, Late 19th Century
Antique Anatolian Karapinar Runner, Late 19th Century

Antique Anatolian Karapinar Runner, Late 19th Century

Located in Dublin, NH

Antique Anatolian Karapinar Runner Rug, Late 19th Century Karapinar, meaning ‘black spring’ in Turkish, is a small town in the vicinity of Karaman in southeastern Anatolia.

Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Runners

Materials

Wool

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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.