Design Kermanshah ‘Tree of Life’ carpet, 3rd quarter 19th century Formats and special types Ghali (Persian: قالی, lit. “carpet”): large format carpets (190 × 280

Techniques and structures See also: Oriental rug § manufacture The process of weaving a rug Close-up of pile knotting, showing pale warps above and unshorn

Materials Wool In most Persian rugs, the pile is of sheep’s wool. Its characteristics and quality vary from each area to the next, depending on

History The beginning of carpet weaving remains unknown, as carpets are subject to use, deterioration, and destruction by insects and rodents. Woven rugs probably developed