What is the difference between Persian rugs and oriental rugs?
Persian and Oriental rugs are often referred to interchangeably. Oriental rugs are handmade carpets made in Asia, such as Iran, India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Persian rugs, on the other hand, are the ones made only in Iran (formerly known as Persia) and named after the city in which they were created. For example, a Persian Kashan is a rug made in Iran, and in the city of Kashan. Most oriental rugs use Persian designs, but have recently created designs of their own. There are many different qualities in both Persian and oriental rugs as the wool may or may not be hand-spun, dyed by vegetable or chemical colors, and woven in different densities.