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Midcentury Rare Carpet or Rug Hexagon, Denmark, 1960s
Midcentury Rare Carpet or Rug Hexagon, Denmark, 1960s

Midcentury Rare Carpet or Rug Hexagon, Denmark, 1960s

By Ege Rya

Located in Praha, CZ

- very rare type.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Clive Christian - 'Rose 1872' Rug 12x12 ft Hand Knotted Wool Museum Rare Carpet
Clive Christian - 'Rose 1872' Rug 12x12 ft Hand Knotted Wool Museum Rare Carpet

Clive Christian - 'Rose 1872' Rug 12x12 ft Hand Knotted Wool Museum Rare Carpet

Located in Long Island, NY

Clive  Christian - 'Rose 1872' Rug Material: 100% Wool Introducing Via Como, the pinnacle of ultra high-end hand-knotted rugs. Renowned for their unrivaled artistry and exclusivity,...

Category

Early 2000s Chinese Modern Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Bentwood

Campion Platt - Big Catch Rug 6' x 9' Hand Knotted Wool Silk Carpet RARE Carpet
Campion Platt - Big Catch Rug 6' x 9' Hand Knotted Wool Silk Carpet RARE Carpet

Campion Platt - Big Catch Rug 6' x 9' Hand Knotted Wool Silk Carpet RARE Carpet

Located in Long Island, NY

Campion Platt - 'Big Catch' Rug 6' x 9' Material: 90% Wool and 10% Silk "The Mariner Collection designed by Campion Platt, introduces a distinctly fresh and personal approach to th...

Category

Early 2000s Nepalese Modern Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Silk

Carpet Produced in Sweden
Carpet Produced in Sweden

Carpet Produced in Sweden

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare carpet by unknown designer. Produced in Sweden.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Ingrid Dessau Carpet Produced in Sweden
Ingrid Dessau Carpet Produced in Sweden

Ingrid Dessau Carpet Produced in Sweden

By Ingrid Dessau

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare carpet designed by Ingrid Dessau produced in Sweden.

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Linen

Anna-Johanna Ångström Carpet Produced in Sweden
Anna-Johanna Ångström Carpet Produced in Sweden

Anna-Johanna Ångström Carpet Produced in Sweden

By Anna-Joanna Angstrom

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare carpet designed by Anna-Johanna Ångström. Produced in Sweden.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Barbro Nilsson Carpet ‘Strålblomman Röd’ Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB
Barbro Nilsson Carpet ‘Strålblomman Röd’ Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB

Barbro Nilsson Carpet ‘Strålblomman Röd’ Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström AB

By Barbro Lundberg Nilsson

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Very rare carpet ‘Strålblomman Röd’ designed by Barbro Nilsson. Produced by Märta Måås-Fjetterström

Category

Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare antique Avunya rug, Anatolia, Bergama region
Rare antique Avunya rug, Anatolia, Bergama region

Rare antique Avunya rug, Anatolia, Bergama region

Located in Vienna, AT

has the typical attributes of these rare carpets. The harmonious balance of the design, the deep red

Category

Antique 1870s Turkish Folk Art Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Sivas 'Pardeh' Textile by Unknown Weaver, Antique Fabric, 1930
Rare Sivas 'Pardeh' Textile by Unknown Weaver, Antique Fabric, 1930

Rare Sivas 'Pardeh' Textile by Unknown Weaver, Antique Fabric, 1930

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

Rare carpet or tissue named "Pardeh" from town Sivas in Turkey, the antique Roman town Sebastea

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Other Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

20th Century Antique Hereke Silk Rug - Antique Turkish Rug, Silk Rug
20th Century Antique Hereke Silk Rug - Antique Turkish Rug, Silk Rug

20th Century Antique Hereke Silk Rug - Antique Turkish Rug, Silk Rug

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

carpet-making tradition of the famous Hereke region. This rare carpet can be used both as an elegant

Category

20th Century Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Silk

Rare Oversize Antique Bessarabian Kilim
Rare Oversize Antique Bessarabian Kilim

Rare Oversize Antique Bessarabian Kilim

Located in Milan, IT

of the pattern. A very rare carpet that represents the pinnacle of decorative weavings from the 19th

Category

Antique 1880s Ukrainian Rococo Revival Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Chinese Pao-Tao Carpet, Blue with Geometric Design
Early 20th Century Chinese Pao-Tao Carpet, Blue with Geometric Design

Early 20th Century Chinese Pao-Tao Carpet, Blue with Geometric Design

Located in Firenze, IT

living life with serene acceptance. This rare carpet is an expression of this philosophy, which is

Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Antique Morocco Carpet - Antique Wool Carpet
19th Century Antique Morocco Carpet - Antique Wool Carpet

19th Century Antique Morocco Carpet - Antique Wool Carpet

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

home decoration and bring a piece of history to your home. Take action now to add this rare carpet to

Category

Antique 19th Century Moroccan Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Mongolian Chinese Carpet with Longevity Motifs
Antique Mongolian Chinese Carpet with Longevity Motifs

Antique Mongolian Chinese Carpet with Longevity Motifs

Located in Milan, IT

The rare carpets of Mongolia have in recent years achieved a stature of their own. They differ from

Category

Antique 1870s Chinese Chinoiserie Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Hand-Knotted Samarkanda Rug, Wool, Surreal Landscape, 1930
Vintage Hand-Knotted Samarkanda Rug, Wool, Surreal Landscape, 1930

Vintage Hand-Knotted Samarkanda Rug, Wool, Surreal Landscape, 1930

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

, can be hung over a sofa or a bed - This rare carpet came from Samarkanda, the famous town "On the

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkestan International Style Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Webteppich 50er Jahre Maria Katzgrau UNIKAT
Webteppich 50er Jahre Maria Katzgrau UNIKAT

Webteppich 50er Jahre Maria Katzgrau UNIKAT

Located in Aachen, DE

. März 1998 ebenda) war eine deutsche Malerin, Grafikerin und Glasmalerin. Extremely rare carpet by the

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

1750s Brown Floral English George III Needlepoint Carpet 13'4"x19'4" Wool Rug
1750s Brown Floral English George III Needlepoint Carpet 13'4"x19'4" Wool Rug

1750s Brown Floral English George III Needlepoint Carpet 13'4"x19'4" Wool Rug

Located in New York, NY

. Hand-stitched in wool flat weave, this rare carpet exemplifies the grandeur and elegance of the

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

20th Century Bursa Silk Rug - Antique Turkish Rug, Silk Rug
20th Century Bursa Silk Rug - Antique Turkish Rug, Silk Rug

20th Century Bursa Silk Rug - Antique Turkish Rug, Silk Rug

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

cultural heritage. This rare carpet is a perfect option to add both historical value and elegance. The

Category

20th Century Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Silk

20th Century Vintage Kayseri Silk Rug - Turkish Rug, Vintage Rug
20th Century Vintage Kayseri Silk Rug - Turkish Rug, Vintage Rug

20th Century Vintage Kayseri Silk Rug - Turkish Rug, Vintage Rug

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

. This rare carpet is a perfect option to add both historical value and elegance. The silk thread and

Category

20th Century Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Silk

Rare Ersari tent carpet
Rare Ersari tent carpet

Rare Ersari tent carpet

Located in WYNNUM, QLD

A rare piece, perfect condition. Highly collectible investment piece. At 50% off short time sale

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Turkmen Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Chinese Baotau Rug, Circa 1900
Antique Chinese Baotau Rug, Circa 1900

Antique Chinese Baotau Rug, Circa 1900

Located in Morton Grove, IL

This rug was hand woven in China. A cery rare carpet known as Baotou, they come mostly in deep blue

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Louis Philippe Antique Aubusson Square Rug in Wool and Metal Thread
Louis Philippe Antique Aubusson Square Rug in Wool and Metal Thread

Louis Philippe Antique Aubusson Square Rug in Wool and Metal Thread

Located in Milan, IT

period, while the complex ornamental motifs are similar to those found on the rare carpets of the

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Western European Rugs

Materials

Metallic Thread

Rare Bauhaus Geometric Carpet, 1940s
Rare Bauhaus Geometric Carpet, 1940s

Rare Bauhaus Geometric Carpet, 1940s

$2,237Sale Price|20% Off

Rare Bauhaus Geometric Carpet, 1940s

Located in Praha, CZ

A unique modernist rug with a geometric pattern in the Bauhaus style. The bold colors and simple pattern will give your space an original artistic touch. This 80-year-old rug looks ...

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Late 19th Century Antique Agra Carpet with Modern Style
Late 19th Century Antique Agra Carpet with Modern Style

Late 19th Century Antique Agra Carpet with Modern Style

Located in Dallas, TX

finest Indian weavers were producing rare carpets for British aristocrats and grand estates, this

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Agra Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

A Rare 18th Century Konya Carpet Fragment
A Rare 18th Century Konya Carpet Fragment

A Rare 18th Century Konya Carpet Fragment

Located in London, GB

leafless stems, as well as a similar border and end lappets. A Konya Carpet Fragment Konya region, Central

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Turkish Islamic Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Geometric Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948s
Rare Geometric Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948s

Rare Geometric Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948s

By Antonín Kybal 1

Located in Praha, CZ

Rare wool carpet designed by the icon of Czech textil designer Antonin Kybal. One of the largest

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rare Geometric Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948
Rare Geometric Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948

Rare Geometric Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948

By Antonín Kybal 1

Located in Praha, CZ

This stunning vintage carpet by Antonin Kybal made in 1948 combines bold geometric patterns with a

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Antique Moroccan Rug - 19th Century Antique Morocco Rug, Large Moroccan Rug
Antique Moroccan Rug - 19th Century Antique Morocco Rug, Large Moroccan Rug

Antique Moroccan Rug - 19th Century Antique Morocco Rug, Large Moroccan Rug

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

originality of the carpet. The tassels on the top add an aesthetic touch. This rare carpet is not only a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool

Bauhaus Modernist Rare Geometric Carpet / Rug, 1930s
Bauhaus Modernist Rare Geometric Carpet / Rug, 1930s

Bauhaus Modernist Rare Geometric Carpet / Rug, 1930s

Located in Praha, CZ

- 1930s - Czechoslovakia - Comes from a functionalist villa - Very interesting and not seen - Original and will preserved condition.

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Bauhaus More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rare Beautiful Abstract Design Wool Carpet / Rug, 1940s
Rare Beautiful Abstract Design Wool Carpet / Rug, 1940s

Rare Beautiful Abstract Design Wool Carpet / Rug, 1940s

Located in Praha, CZ

- 1940s - Czechoslovakia - Perfect original condition - Probably only one piece made - Will be professionally cleansed - Marked with number.

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Caucasian Avar Flat-Weave Carpet
Rare Antique Caucasian Avar Flat-Weave Carpet

Rare Antique Caucasian Avar Flat-Weave Carpet

Located in Dallas, TX

78944 Late 19th Century Antique Caucasian Avar Kilim Rug, 04'11 x 10'03. This handwoven wool antique Caucasian Avar kilim rug, crafted by the Avar people of the Dagestan region, is a...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Bohemian Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Rugs, Caucasian Carpet from Karabagh, Gold Rug
Rare Antique Rugs, Caucasian Carpet from Karabagh, Gold Rug

Rare Antique Rugs, Caucasian Carpet from Karabagh, Gold Rug

Located in Wembley, GB

colour combination and the contrasting gold, purple and rust colours, look unique on this carpet. These

Category

Vintage 1930s Azerbaijani Tribal Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Organic Material

Rare Antique Khotan Carpet or Rug
Rare Antique Khotan Carpet or Rug

Rare Antique Khotan Carpet or Rug

Located in Rome, IT

Stunning antique East Turkestan Khotan rug, with a pomegranate trellis overall within a series of reciprocal geometric stripes. Period: circa 1920 Country of origin: East Turkestan ...

Category

Vintage 1910s Asian Khotan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Pair of Rare Antique Runner Rug Caucasian Wool Carpet
Pair of Rare Antique Runner Rug Caucasian Wool Carpet

Pair of Rare Antique Runner Rug Caucasian Wool Carpet

Located in Wembley, GB

This truly unique pair of antique runner rugs have been woven by hand and feature a fantastic all-over design that has been framed with an elegant orange rust border. The central pat...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Caucasian Tribal Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Organic Material

Rare Abstract Modernist Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948
Rare Abstract Modernist Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948

Rare Abstract Modernist Carpet by Antonin Kybal, 1948

By Antonín Kybal 1

Located in Praha, CZ

blending traditional craftsmanship with bold modernist aesthetics. This very rare piece showcases his

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Kothan Carpet or Rug
Rare Antique Kothan Carpet or Rug

Rare Antique Kothan Carpet or Rug

Located in Rome, IT

Stunning antique East Turkestan Khotan rug, with a pomegranate trellis overall within a series of reciprocal geometric stripes. Period: circa 1920 Country of origin: East Turkesta...

Category

Vintage 1910s Asian Khotan Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Design Organic Abstract Geometric Carpet/Rug in, 1960s
Rare Design Organic Abstract Geometric Carpet/Rug in, 1960s

Rare Design Organic Abstract Geometric Carpet/Rug in, 1960s

Located in Praha, CZ

- 1960s - Czechoslovakia - Professionally clensed - original condition.

Category

Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Rugs, Red Handmade Carpet, Caucasian Shirvan Mihrabi Rugs
Rare Antique Rugs, Red Handmade Carpet, Caucasian Shirvan Mihrabi Rugs

Rare Antique Rugs, Red Handmade Carpet, Caucasian Shirvan Mihrabi Rugs

Located in Wembley, GB

A rare antique rug Caucasian Kazak, circa the 1890s, oriental rugs design. Fantastic Patterned rugs

Category

Antique 1890s Caucasian Kazak Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Rare Hand-Knotted Shirvan Seichur Carpet, Wool, Caucasus, Circa 1900
Rare Hand-Knotted Shirvan Seichur Carpet, Wool, Caucasus, Circa 1900

Rare Hand-Knotted Shirvan Seichur Carpet, Wool, Caucasus, Circa 1900

Located in Alessandria, Piemonte

nr. 283 - One of the most rare specimen of Caucasian Shirvan Seichur: from my private collection

Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Other Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Green Background Khorassan Carpet with Dancing Animals
Rare Antique Green Background Khorassan Carpet with Dancing Animals

Rare Antique Green Background Khorassan Carpet with Dancing Animals

Located in Milan, IT

A fine and rare antique Khorassan pictorial carpet depicting a panoply of animals arranged in

Category

Antique 1880s Afghan Khorassan Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare and Decorative Cogolin Wool Carpet, France, 1970
Rare and Decorative Cogolin Wool Carpet, France, 1970

Rare and Decorative Cogolin Wool Carpet, France, 1970

By Cogolin

Located in Paris, Ile-de-France

High and low loop pile carpet. Featuring a variety of circles. Hand-knotted, Cogolin

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Bessarabian Kilim Rug 1870s Floral Wool Flatweave Carpet 176x271cm
Rare Antique Bessarabian Kilim Rug 1870s Floral Wool Flatweave Carpet 176x271cm

Rare Antique Bessarabian Kilim Rug 1870s Floral Wool Flatweave Carpet 176x271cm

Located in Wembley, GB

. Antique Bessarabian rug • 19th century floral kilim • Rare flatweave carpet • Pastel floral antique rug

Category

Antique 1870s Moldovan Art Deco Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Early and Rare Abstract Rehamna Berber Carpet
Early and Rare Abstract Rehamna Berber Carpet

Early and Rare Abstract Rehamna Berber Carpet

Located in Milan, IT

The carpets of the Rehamna derive from the Haouz, a landscape of hills and plains situated between

Category

Vintage 1920s Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Rug Caucasian Oriental Rug Handmade Carpet from Kazak Area
Rare Antique Rug Caucasian Oriental Rug Handmade Carpet from Kazak Area

Rare Antique Rug Caucasian Oriental Rug Handmade Carpet from Kazak Area

Located in Wembley, GB

An excellent example of traditional Caucasian handmade carpet oriental rug weaving from the Kazak

Category

Vintage 1910s Caucasian Kazak Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Organic Material

Rare Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Carpets
Rare Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Carpets

Rare Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Carpets

$9,600Sale Price / set|20% Off

Rare Matching Pair of Antique Khotan Carpets

Located in New York, NY

Very rare matching pair of antique khotans with one measuring 4'1'' x 5'11'' and the other

Category

Early 20th Century Turkmen Chinese Export Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Very Rare Geometric Original Carpet Designed by Antonin Kybal, 1940s
Very Rare Geometric Original Carpet Designed by Antonin Kybal, 1940s

Very Rare Geometric Original Carpet Designed by Antonin Kybal, 1940s

By Antonín Kybal 1, ULUV Krásná jizba

Located in Praha, CZ

- Publicated in books and magazines - around 1940s - Czechoslovakia. - original condition with signs of use, few stains - otherwise very well preserved.

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Rare Beautiful Hand Made Abstract Design Wool Carpet / Rug, 1940s
Rare Beautiful Hand Made Abstract Design Wool Carpet / Rug, 1940s

Rare Beautiful Hand Made Abstract Design Wool Carpet / Rug, 1940s

Located in Praha, CZ

- 1940s - Czechoslovakia - good original condition - Probably only one piece made - Will be professionally cleansed.   

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Wool

Original Rare Modernist Abstract Geometric Carpet by Antonín Kybal, 1948
Original Rare Modernist Abstract Geometric Carpet by Antonín Kybal, 1948

Original Rare Modernist Abstract Geometric Carpet by Antonín Kybal, 1948

Located in Praha, CZ

- Czechoslovakia - 1948 - Design: Antonín Kybal - Published in books and magazines - Very good original condition - Professionally cleansed.

Category

Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern More Carpets

Materials

Textile

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Rare Carpet For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal rare carpet for your home. A rare carpet — often made from fabric, wool and cotton — can elevate any home. Find 461 options for an antique or vintage rare carpet now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer rare carpet, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A rare carpet, designed in the Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco or Folk Art style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made rare carpet over the years, but those crafted by Antonín Kybal, Ingegerd Silow and Jacques Borker are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Rare Carpet?

A rare carpet can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $7,309, while the lowest priced sells for $450 and the highest can go for as much as $320,000.

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.