European Antique Rug
Early 1900s Unknown Rustic European Antique Rug
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Belgian Heriz Serapi European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century European Other European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 1900s Spanish Aubusson European Antique Rug
Silk
Early 20th Century European Art Deco European Antique Rug
Wool, Jute, Cotton
1920s German European Antique Rug
Wool
1890s Irish European Antique Rug
Wool
1640s Northern Irish European Antique Rug
Wool
1620s Northern Irish European Antique Rug
Wool
1890s Irish European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 19th Century European European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century European Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 1900s Unknown Empire European Antique Rug
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century European European Antique Rug
Wool
1920s Portuguese Arts and Crafts European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century European Other European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century European Other European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century European Art Deco European Antique Rug
Wool
1920s Spanish Other European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century European Oushak European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century European Oushak European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century French European Antique Rug
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Other European Antique Rug
Wool
1920s French Art Deco European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
1850s English European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical European Antique Rug
Wool
1910s English European Antique Rug
Wool
1910s English European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 1800s French European Antique Rug
Wool
19th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Mid-18th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
1920s Spanish European Antique Rug
Wool
1920s English European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century French Other European Antique Rug
Wool
Mid-19th Century French European Antique Rug
Wool
1860s English Arts and Crafts European Antique Rug
Wool
1890s French European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 19th Century French European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
1890s French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Silk
1890s French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Other European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century French European Antique Rug
Wool
1850s French European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
1920s German European Antique Rug
Wool
1910s Irish Arts and Crafts European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool, Silk
1850s French European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century Spanish European Antique Rug
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
1890s French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
1890s French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
19th Century European Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Early 20th Century French Aubusson European Antique Rug
Wool
Late 19th Century French European Antique Rug
Wool
1910s Spanish European Antique Rug
Wool
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European Antique Rug For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a European Antique Rug?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Opinions on how old a rug has to be to be considered antique vary. However, most experts will apply the label to any rug produced more than 100 years ago, and call floor coverings produced 50 to 100 years ago vintage. Shop a variety of antique rugs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Determining the age of a rug often depends on the style of rug because different styles have evolved at their own rates and with their own characteristics. One thing you can look for is a date; some rugs weave the year into the border. Another thing to make note of is the color of the rug. Bright dyes and synthetic fibers weren’t available until the 1920s for rugs, so authentic antique rugs will have muted tones. Shop a collection of vetted antique rugs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a semi antique rug?1 Answer
NazmiyalMarch 23, 2021Usually these are rugs that are younger than 80 years old but not new (so things that are between 70 - 30 years old roughly) - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few red flags you should look for in determining if you have an antique Persian rug. Firstly, check the fringe. Fringes on a Persian rug form from the end of warp yarns, and won’t be sewn on the back. Also check the colors. They should be crisp, with no bleeding of the dyes. Shop a collection of authentic Persian rugs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- NazmiyalMarch 23, 2021The most expensive antique Persian rug ever sold in auction (so far) is $34,000,000. But the vast majority will cost under $100,000.
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