Iran (formerly Persia) is one of the oldest countries to weave oriental rugs by hand. In many villages, nomads and shepherds would weave oriental rugs using the wool from their sheep. The finished rug would be used as floor mats and wall draperies, pillows and other covering. But their products were not what we term today as "standard." They were usually small and of uneven sizes.

The better and more sophisticated ones were those woven by master weavers working in the palaces of the shah. They were the ones who fashioned rugs that showed more beautiful patterns and dyed in different bright colors and color combinations. Because of their artistry and high level of craftsmanship, soon the rugs caught the attention of foreign visitors

In time, the rugs were duplicated, the patterns and color combinations copied in commercial scale in different parts of the world. Countries like Iran, Pakistan, India, China and Romania, to name a few, undertook the production of oriental rugs in commercial quantities.

Then India, inspired by the Iranian tradition, started its own rug weaving, modifying some of the colors and patterns. France followed, making savonneries with a very similar concept and slight modifications in design. Soon after, the French came up with Aubusson - which is the flat weave, non-pile, of savonnery.

However, not all rugs were duplicated. The new rug makers modified their colors, patterns and even to some extent improved their qualities.

Historically, rugs had no standard sizes. The old rugs had varied sizes. Some were narrow and long, measuring 9' by 18', while other runners were wide, measuring 4' x12'. It was only in the last 60-70 years that their sizes were standardized.

Other sizes are also available but not in large qualities. But these are scarcely available.

Colors and dyes are important aspects in handmade rug weaving. The old (antique) rugs were dyed using natural vegetable dyes. But in the last 60 years, synthetic dyes replaced the natural dyes, producing rugs of inferior quality.

Natural dyes were noted to be more durable and sharper in their colors. Moreover, the colors from vegetable dyes proved to be more lasting. They were able to withstand the cleaning and brushing and they did not easily fade after being constantly exposed to sunlight. Thus, in a sense, natural dyes are better than synthetic ones, although the latter dyes have considerably improved through the years.

Wool is a very important element in handmade rug weaving. The quality of the wool varies depending on its source. Some of questions to ask are: Does the wool come from the sheep, goat or camel? The wool from which the wool is taken is important. Was the graze in good or dry climate? Was the animal young or old? Was the animal healthy or sick? Was the animal alive or dead when the wool was taken? Was the animal fed properly? Was the animal fat or slim?

Also important in determining the quality of the rug is the part of the body the wool came from. Is the wool from the shoulder, back, stomach, or neck of the animal? Expert rug weavers know which wool is best.

Veteran rug weavers say that in the last two to three centuries, some 1,000 patterns have emerged. But most of them can be classified into five broad patterns.

1. Rugs with center medallion, usually symmetrical
2. Rugs with overall designs which are further subdivided into symmetrical and non-symmetrical
3. Directional (also termed one-sided)
4. Picturesque
5. Hunting scene

Each of these categories can be subdivided into:

1. Curvilinear
2. Geometric
3. Combination of both

Design and style are likewise important in the look of the handmade oriental rug.
Generally speaking, the design of a particular rug is associated with the name of the area or town where the rug was woven. For example the "Kerman" design was made in the city of "Kerman" in Iran. Or the design "Isfahan" originated from the city of Isfahan, Iran, which is easily distinguished from that of Kerman.

Most of the oriental rugs of Iran, India and France and other rug-making countries consist of the pile which refer to the fiber, the wool or material that form the rug. Thus we have the thick pile, tight pile or no pile for the flat weave, like Kilim durry, aubussons and others.

It is absolutely untrue that the thickness of the pile determines the quality of the rug. A thick pile rug can be equally as good, fine, valuable and beautiful as a thin one and vice versa.

Weaving techniques also play an important role in the making of a fine oriental rug. Part of the weaving technique is its knotting. The smaller the knots, the tighter the weave and the longer it takes to complete the rug. The more durable it is, the higher its value.

Persians, Indians and French weavers usually employ different techniques to weave their rugs. Some of these techniques are unique to the area where the rug originated and but a lot of the weaving techniques are common to all of them.