A Brief History of Carpets: From 5BC to Modern Day
Carpets have been around for millennia, with evidence of early carpets as far back as ancient civilisations. While many people take carpets for granted nowadays, they were not always available to the general public. Read on to find out about the history of carpet.
The earliest carpets
The first recorded use of rugs as floor coverings was in Egypt in 3000 B.C. Archeologists found the oldest surviving pile carpet in ancient burial mounds from 400 B.C. in Siberia, made from hand-knotted wool. Persia, Egypt, China and Eurasia all have long histories of carpet craftsmanship, with early materials including wool, silk, plant fibers and natural dyes. The process could take months, as each knot had to be individually tied and designs were often intricate.
Carpets had great cultural significance for early civilisations. In Persia, carpets were valued for their beauty and intricacy, mainly used as gifts for royalty. Medieval Europe also associated carpets with wealth, using large luxury carpets as table-coverings or wall hangings.
In the Islamic world, the history of carpets also has religious significance. Prayer rugs have long been used to provide a clean and comfortable place to pray. These rugs often carry spiritual symbols.
The advent of the loom
Many different kinds of looms have been used to produce carpets, with early carpets being made on a horizontal loom. This loom was invented in the Middle East and made its way to the UK through Flemish weavers in the 16th century. This sped up the carpet-making process, allowing the first carpet factory to be opened in Wilton in 1655. Most carpets were expensive, as they were made of wool and still took a long time to weave.
The 18th century invention of the power loom was a turning point on the history of carpets, as it allowed for mass-production of carpets with significantly less human input. This allowed for carpets to be produced in sizes large enough to fill rooms.
A 19th-century carpet boom
In the 19th century, synthetic materials such as nylon, acrylic and polyester began to be used for carpets. Carpets became more affordable, meaning that more households had carpet than ever before. The UK carpet industry grew considerably, with factories opening up all over the country. Kidderminster, in particular, became renowned for carpet-making. Today, it’s home to the Museum of Carpet – which is also where you’ll find the National Carpet Cleaners Association head office!
This growth continued until the late 20th century, when overseas competition created challenges for the UK carpet industry. Cheaper prices from international sellers undercut many UK manufacturers, resulting in factory closures.
Despite this, the UK carpet industry lives on. Many modern homes have carpets, and it is common to have wall-to-wall carpet in most rooms of the house. While many affordable carpets have simple designs, it is still possible to buy intricately designed carpets from all over the world.
Hire a professional carpet cleaner
Help your carpets stand the test of time by getting them cleaned professionally. Choose a cleaner from the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) directory to ensure a smooth experience. All of our cleaners are accredited and insured.
