Persian carpets are an art form born out of East-West trade along the Silk Road. Persian carpet techniques and designs spread from East to West via the ancient Silk Road, greatly influencing the art and culture of surrounding regions and Europe.
Persian carpets originated from the nomadic lifestyle of ancient Persia (present-day Iran). The Silk Road, which has connected Eastern and Western civilizations since ancient times, was a trade network through which various goods and cultures other than silk passed, and carpets were one of the many items that were actively traded. The tradition of carpet weaving spread like a belt along the Silk Road, and the region was also known as the "Carpet Belt."
Carpet weaving techniques and designs spread throughout the country via people traveling along trade routes. Early carpets did not use sketches, and only geometric patterns (linear designs) were passed down orally from mother to daughter. Around the 15th century, urban workshops began producing carpets using designs, leading to the development of carpets with intricate designs making use of curves. In addition, the growing demand for prayer carpets in the Islamic world also promoted the development of techniques and designs, and carpets began to be made not only with religious patterns but also with highly ornate ornaments. Furthermore, the advanced carpet art that matured during the Safavid dynasty (Persian dynasty) from the 16th to 18th centuries influenced carpets in the Mughal Empire in India and the Ottoman Empire in Turkey.
In Europe from the end of the Middle Ages to the Renaissance period (14th to 16th centuries), Oriental (West Asian) carpets were depicted in religious paintings and portraits, indicating that they were highly valued for their luxury. From the mid-19th century onwards, Persian carpets began to be exported to Europe in earnest. Persian carpets introduced at Universal Expositions (World's Fairs) became a huge hit in Europe. This led to the creation of new designs to suit European tastes.
