Skip to main content

Rare Rug

to
274
1,881
331
1,908
414
9
212
124
107
27
26
20
12
9
8
7
6
3
2
1
1
1
35
420
1,453
423
486
679
253
42
43
200
39
39
274
134
35
156
8
2,297
2,174
228
186
77
1,495
741
731
497
306
2,331
2,255
2,260
213
41
14
12
12
New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style
New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style

Located in Dallas, TX

craftsmanship, this hand-knotted wool rare Turkish Oushak rug is an extraordinary masterpiece that captures the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Baluch Tribal Area Rug, Ivory Background, Prayer Design
Antique Baluch Tribal Area Rug, Ivory Background, Prayer Design

Antique Baluch Tribal Area Rug, Ivory Background, Prayer Design

Located in Barrington, IL

makes this particular Baluch rug exceptionally rare and desirable is its infrequently found ivory color

Category

Early 20th Century Afghan Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Baluch Tribal Rug with Red & Teal Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim
Vintage Baluch Tribal Rug with Red & Teal Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim

Vintage Baluch Tribal Rug with Red & Teal Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Hand-knotted in wool and goat hair circa 1950-1960, this 4x6 vintage Baluch tribal rug is a rare

Category

Vintage 1950s Afghan Tribal Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Goat Hair

Walter Van Beirendonck & Ikea "Glödande" limited edition tiger rug, 2016
Walter Van Beirendonck & Ikea "Glödande" limited edition tiger rug, 2016

Walter Van Beirendonck & Ikea "Glödande" limited edition tiger rug, 2016

By IKEA

Located in STRASBOURG, FR

Rare limited edition “Glödande” tiger rug designed by Walter Van Beirendonck for Ikea in 2016. In

Category

2010s Swedish Post-Modern Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Latex, Polyester

19th Century Antique Hand-Knotted Malayer Gallery Rug, Wool, Navy Blue, Yellow
19th Century Antique Hand-Knotted Malayer Gallery Rug, Wool, Navy Blue, Yellow

19th Century Antique Hand-Knotted Malayer Gallery Rug, Wool, Navy Blue, Yellow

Located in Barrington, IL

symbolizing growth and continuity.   One of the most striking features of this rug is its rare saffron-colored

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Doris Leslie Blau Oversized Antique North Indian Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Oversized Antique North Indian Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Oversized Antique North Indian Rug

Located in New York, NY

with an added layer of Persian aesthetic tradition. The rug features a rare and visually arresting

Category

Early 20th Century Indian Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Modernist Vintage Square Rug with Polychrome Thunderbolt Pattern
Modernist Vintage Square Rug with Polychrome Thunderbolt Pattern

Modernist Vintage Square Rug with Polychrome Thunderbolt Pattern

Located in Milan, IT

A very rare and unusual village rug characterized by a design composed of parallel multicolored zig

Category

Vintage 1940s Turkish Art Deco Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Arraiolos Needlepoint Rug in Olive Green with Florals, from Rug & Kilim
Antique Arraiolos Needlepoint Rug in Olive Green with Florals, from Rug & Kilim

Antique Arraiolos Needlepoint Rug in Olive Green with Florals, from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Handmade in wool circa 1920-1930, this 11x18 rug is a rare antique Arraiolos needlepoint from the

Category

Vintage 1920s Portuguese Arts and Crafts Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style
New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Style

Located in Dallas, TX

poise—a luxurious duality rare in contemporary rug-making. Framing the composition is a symbolic Göz

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Turkish Anatolian Village Area Rug in Red, Green & Blue
19th Century Turkish Anatolian Village Area Rug in Red, Green & Blue

19th Century Turkish Anatolian Village Area Rug in Red, Green & Blue

Located in Barrington, IL

This extraordinary mid-to-late 19th century Turkish Anatolian village rug is a rare and visually

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage tribal Afghan Kilim Rug in Red, with Medallions, from Rug & Kilim
Vintage tribal Afghan Kilim Rug in Red, with Medallions, from Rug & Kilim

Vintage tribal Afghan Kilim Rug in Red, with Medallions, from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Handwoven in wool, circa 1950-1960, this 5x11 vintage tribal Afghan kilim rug features vibrant

Category

Vintage 1950s Afghan Tribal Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Khotan Rug In Blue, Beige-Brown and Gold with Medallions - Rug & Kilim
Antique Khotan Rug In Blue, Beige-Brown and Gold with Medallions - Rug & Kilim

Antique Khotan Rug In Blue, Beige-Brown and Gold with Medallions - Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

is a rare new curation from Rug & Kilim. On the Design:  Samarkand rugs often reflect a fascinating

Category

Antique Early 1900s East Turkestani Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug Medium

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug Medium

By Art Hide

Located in Charlotte, NC

that feels as at home in a coastal residence as it does in a city penthouse. A circular rug with the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Art Deco Western European Rugs

Materials

Cowhide

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug XL

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug XL

By Art Hide

Located in Charlotte, NC

that feels as at home in a coastal residence as it does in a city penthouse. A circular rug with the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Art Deco Western European Rugs

Materials

Cowhide

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug Large

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug Large

By Art Hide

Located in Charlotte, NC

that feels as at home in a coastal residence as it does in a city penthouse. A circular rug with the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Art Deco Western European Rugs

Materials

Cowhide

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug XXL

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug XXL

By Art Hide

Located in Charlotte, NC

that feels as at home in a coastal residence as it does in a city penthouse. A circular rug with the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Art Deco Western European Rugs

Materials

Cowhide

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug Small

Naturale Postmodern Round Customizable Rug Small

By Art Hide

Located in Charlotte, NC

that feels as at home in a coastal residence as it does in a city penthouse. A circular rug with the

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Art Deco Western European Rugs

Materials

Cowhide

19th Century Turkish Anatolian Village Area Rug with Kazak Eagle Design
19th Century Turkish Anatolian Village Area Rug with Kazak Eagle Design

19th Century Turkish Anatolian Village Area Rug with Kazak Eagle Design

Located in Barrington, IL

This exceptional 19th Century Turkish Anatolian village rug is a rare and visually powerful example

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Contemporary Style
New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Contemporary Style

New Colorful Turkish Oushak Rug with Modern Contemporary Style

Located in Dallas, TX

design, this hand-knotted wool modern Turkish Oushak rug is a rare and radiant expression of Anatolian

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Oushak Rug with Grand Medallion and Open Field - Rug & Kilim
Antique Oushak Rug with Grand Medallion and Open Field - Rug & Kilim

Antique Oushak Rug with Grand Medallion and Open Field - Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

addition to Rug & Kilim’s rare collection of the same celebrated provenance. Originating from the

Category

Antique 1890s Turkish Oushak Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Spanish Savonnerie rug in Ochre with Medallion Patterns by Rug & Kilim
Antique Spanish Savonnerie rug in Ochre with Medallion Patterns by Rug & Kilim

Antique Spanish Savonnerie rug in Ochre with Medallion Patterns by Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

This antique 7x8 Savonnerie rug is a rare new entry in Rug & Kilim’s classic curations. It’s the

Category

Antique 1870s Spanish Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Rare flatweave carpet 'Rött Stim' by Karin Jönsson, Sweden, 1960s
Rare flatweave carpet 'Rött Stim' by Karin Jönsson, Sweden, 1960s

Rare flatweave carpet 'Rött Stim' by Karin Jönsson, Sweden, 1960s

Located in Eskilstuna, SE

Flatweave carpet designed by Swedish artist Karin Jönsson and produced by Klockaregårdens Hemlöjd. Made in the middle of the 20th century. Model is named 'Rött stim'. Good vintage ...

Category

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

Materials

Wool

Vintage Aubusson Flatweave Rug in Brown with Floral Patterns, from Rug & Kilim
Vintage Aubusson Flatweave Rug in Brown with Floral Patterns, from Rug & Kilim

Vintage Aubusson Flatweave Rug in Brown with Floral Patterns, from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

rug is a rare curation from the European rug collection by Rug & Kilim. Its design enjoys rich brown

Category

Vintage 1950s French Aubusson Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Hooked  Rug in Polychromatic Stripes  Rug & Kilim
Antique Hooked  Rug in Polychromatic Stripes  Rug & Kilim

Antique Hooked Rug in Polychromatic Stripes Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Handmade in wool and originating circa 1920-1930, this 2x3 antique rug is a rare and exciting new

Category

Vintage 1920s American North and South American Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Peking Art Deco Rug in Blue with Cream Dragon Pictorial  Rug & Kilim
Antique Peking Art Deco Rug in Blue with Cream Dragon Pictorial  Rug & Kilim

Antique Peking Art Deco Rug in Blue with Cream Dragon Pictorial Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Made with hand-knotted wool in China circa 1900-1910, this 9x11 antique Chinese rug is a rare

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Oversized Antique Agra Jail Rug with Medallion and Florals
Oversized Antique Agra Jail Rug with Medallion and Florals

Oversized Antique Agra Jail Rug with Medallion and Florals

Located in Long Island City, NY

scale, texture and movement of color is matched only by its equally rare condition. This ‘Jail rug’ is

Category

Vintage 1920s Indian Agra Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Kazak Runner Rug with Red & Blue Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim
Antique Kazak Runner Rug with Red & Blue Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim

Antique Kazak Runner Rug with Red & Blue Geometric Patterns, from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

a rare Caucasian tribal curation from the collection by Rug & Kilim. On the Design: This piece

Category

Vintage 1910s Russian Tribal Russian and Scandinavian Rugs

Materials

Wool

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

pattern yet we also see its complete negation. A truly magnificent, early and rare example of Moroccan

Category

Vintage 1920s Moroccan Tribal Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Wool

Vintage tribal Afghan Kilim rug in Red, with Medallions, from Rug & Kilim
Vintage tribal Afghan Kilim rug in Red, with Medallions, from Rug & Kilim

Vintage tribal Afghan Kilim rug in Red, with Medallions, from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

. On the Design: Connoisseurs will appreciate the rare design of this rug, featuring distinct

Category

Vintage 1950s Afghan Tribal Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Oushak Turkish Rug, Hand-Knotted Wool & Cotton, Large, 1900s
Antique Oushak Turkish Rug, Hand-Knotted Wool & Cotton, Large, 1900s

Antique Oushak Turkish Rug, Hand-Knotted Wool & Cotton, Large, 1900s

Located in Savannah, GA

Rare antique Oushak large sized rug of the Turkish family featuring a pronounced abrash (original

Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Vintage Anatolian Prayer rug in purple and gray hand-knotted wool
Vintage Anatolian Prayer rug in purple and gray hand-knotted wool

Vintage Anatolian Prayer rug in purple and gray hand-knotted wool

Located in Beograd, RS

considered rather rare color combination in vintage rugs. The archway pattern in the center field, which

Category

Vintage 1950s Turkish Tribal Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Bessarabian Kilim rug in Brown with Floral Patterns from Rug & Kilim
Antique Bessarabian Kilim rug in Brown with Floral Patterns from Rug & Kilim

Antique Bessarabian Kilim rug in Brown with Floral Patterns from Rug & Kilim

Located in Long Island City, NY

Handwoven in wool, this rare 5x8 antique Bessarabian kilim rug is believed to originate from

Category

Antique 1850s Romanian Bessarabian Western European Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Handwoven Caucasian Shirvan Area Rug, Medallion Design
19th Century Handwoven Caucasian Shirvan Area Rug, Medallion Design

19th Century Handwoven Caucasian Shirvan Area Rug, Medallion Design

Located in Barrington, IL

Azerbaijan region of the southern Caucasus. This authentic village rug features a rare and elegant palette of

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Caucasian Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Turkish Konya Kilim Rug 1880s Tribal Geometric Wool Flatweave 355x229cm
Antique Turkish Konya Kilim Rug 1880s Tribal Geometric Wool Flatweave 355x229cm

Antique Turkish Konya Kilim Rug 1880s Tribal Geometric Wool Flatweave 355x229cm

Located in Wembley, GB

Kilim rug from the 1880s is a rare and highly collectible example of late 19th-century Anatolian tribal

Category

Antique 1880s Turkish Art Deco Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Antique Geometric and Floral Design Hand Woven Wool Rug - Early 20th Century
Antique Geometric and Floral Design Hand Woven Wool Rug - Early 20th Century

Antique Geometric and Floral Design Hand Woven Wool Rug - Early 20th Century

Located in Sultanahmet, 34

this rare early 20th century Antique rug highlights a powerful and rhythmic geometric composition

Category

Early 20th Century Azerbaijani Persian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Shahrestan Style Rug in Rich Colors & Floral Patterns
Antique Shahrestan Style Rug in Rich Colors & Floral Patterns

Antique Shahrestan Style Rug in Rich Colors & Floral Patterns

Located in Long Island City, NY

Hand-knotted in wool circa 1910-1920, this antique 10x13 rug is a rare Indian interpretation of

Category

Vintage 1910s Indian Other Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Turkish Kars Rug - Hand-Knotted Wool - Muted Dusty Rose & Sage Floral Medallion
Turkish Kars Rug - Hand-Knotted Wool - Muted Dusty Rose & Sage Floral Medallion

Turkish Kars Rug - Hand-Knotted Wool - Muted Dusty Rose & Sage Floral Medallion

Located in Norwalk, CT

This extraordinary Vintage Turkish Kars Rug is a rare find for collectors and interior designers

Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Antique Shirvan Kilim Runner Rug 1940s, Tribal Striped Geometric Wool 340x160cm
Antique Shirvan Kilim Runner Rug 1940s, Tribal Striped Geometric Wool 340x160cm

Antique Shirvan Kilim Runner Rug 1940s, Tribal Striped Geometric Wool 340x160cm

Located in Wembley, GB

Antique Caucasian Shirvan Kilim Rug, 1940s Handwoven Tribal Flatweave with Geometric & Star Motifs

Category

Vintage 1940s Azerbaijani Hollywood Regency Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Antique Burgundy Kilim Rug, 1900s Wool Flatweave Tribal Carpet 161x143 cm
Antique Burgundy Kilim Rug, 1900s Wool Flatweave Tribal Carpet 161x143 cm

Antique Burgundy Kilim Rug, 1900s Wool Flatweave Tribal Carpet 161x143 cm

Located in Wembley, GB

enhance stability and extend the rug’s lifespan. A rare and refined antique burgundy Kilim, perfect for

Category

Antique Early 1900s Armenian Art Nouveau Caucasian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Antique Kilim Rug Moldovian Red Floral Handmade Wool Flatweave Carpet Livingroom
Antique Kilim Rug Moldovian Red Floral Handmade Wool Flatweave Carpet Livingroom

Antique Kilim Rug Moldovian Red Floral Handmade Wool Flatweave Carpet Livingroom

Located in Wembley, GB

Antique Central Asian Kilim rug represents a rare fusion of bold medallion design, organic materials

Category

Vintage 1950s Moldovan Art Deco Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Antique Konya Kilim Runner Rug 1930s, Tribal Geometric Wool Flatweave 350x170cm
Antique Konya Kilim Runner Rug 1930s, Tribal Geometric Wool Flatweave 350x170cm

Antique Konya Kilim Runner Rug 1930s, Tribal Geometric Wool Flatweave 350x170cm

Located in Wembley, GB

condition and long-term value. Why This Rug Is Exceptional This antique Konya Kilim rug offers a rare

Category

Vintage 1930s Turkish Art Nouveau Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Antique Oushak Rug in Orange with Pink Floral Patterns
Antique Oushak Rug in Orange with Pink Floral Patterns

Antique Oushak Rug in Orange with Pink Floral Patterns

Located in Long Island City, NY

Hand-knotted in wool circa 1890-1900, this antique 11x12 Oushak rug is a rare turn-of-the-century

Category

Antique 1890s Turkish Oushak Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Pile Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Pile Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Pile Rug

Located in New York, NY

Vintage Swedish Pile Rug Size: 7'6" × 9'7" (228 × 292 cm) This rare vintage Swedish pile rug, hand

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavia...

Materials

Wool

Bakshaish Rug Golden Saffron Color
Bakshaish Rug Golden Saffron Color

Bakshaish Rug Golden Saffron Color

$28,480

W 90.95 in L 163.39 in

Bakshaish Rug Golden Saffron Color

Located in Ferrara, IT

Antique Bakshaish Rug, 19th Century. Rare antique Bakhshaish carpet on an ivory background, natural

Category

Antique 19th Century Azerbaijani Bakshaish Central Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Fine Antique Indian Agra Rug with Ardabil Design
Fine Antique Indian Agra Rug with Ardabil Design

Fine Antique Indian Agra Rug with Ardabil Design

Located in Milan, IT

centralised pattern originating from a very rare 16th century Persian Safavid rug known as the Ardabil carpet

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indian Agra Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

Large Vintage Turkish Rug, circa 1940 8'8 x 17'2
Large Vintage Turkish Rug, circa 1940 8'8 x 17'2

Large Vintage Turkish Rug, circa 1940 8'8 x 17'2

Located in Secaucus, NJ

Large vintage Turkish rug, circa 1940. In a rare size this handwoven rug from Turkey is an imposing

Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Turkish Rugs

Materials

Wool

Agra Antique rug, Red Light-Blue - 5'7" x 7'1"
Agra Antique rug, Red Light-Blue - 5'7" x 7'1"

Agra Antique rug, Red Light-Blue - 5'7" x 7'1"

Located in New York, NY

, making it a rare find among rugs of its kind. Its unconventional aesthetics and striking colors make it a

Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Doris Leslie Blau Antique Indian Abstract Handmade Wool Rug
Doris Leslie Blau Antique Indian Abstract Handmade Wool Rug

Doris Leslie Blau Antique Indian Abstract Handmade Wool Rug

Located in New York, NY

, Persian rugs. A rare piece from the Doris Leslie Blau Collection, this rug exemplifies superior artistry

Category

Early 20th Century Indian Indian Rugs

Materials

Wool

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

Rare Rug For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the rare rug you’re looking for. Frequently made of fabric, wool and cotton, every rare rug was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a rare rug, we have 465 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect rare rug — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right rare rug, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco and Folk Art styles are of considerable interest. Antonín Kybal, Ingegerd Silow and Jacques Borker each produced at least one beautiful rare rug that is worth considering.

How Much is a Rare Rug?

Prices for a rare rug start at $450 and top out at $320,000 with the average selling for $7,085.

Finding the Right Rugs And 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.