Pakistan has been weaving hand-knotted rugs since the Mughal period of the sixteenth century, when Persian artisans arrived under royal patronage and established the weaving workshops that would define the industry for centuries. The carpets made in Lahore during this period were among the first Oriental rugs to reach European markets, and the tradition of combining Persian and Central Asian design with rigorous Pakistani craftsmanship has continued without interruption ever since. Today Pakistan is one of the world's leading producers of hand-knotted rugs, with major weaving centres in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi each developing their own specialties and design vocabulary.
What sets Pakistani rugs apart is the quality of construction. Pakistani weavers have access to fine highland wool from local sheep as well as imported New Zealand and Australian worsted wool, which produces a pile with an almost silk-like softness and a natural luster that improves with age. Most Pakistani rugs are knotted on cotton foundations using the Persian Senneh knot at densities ranging from 120 to over 400 knots per square inch depending on the design. This allows Pakistani weavers to execute both bold geometric tribal patterns and the finest floral curvilinear work with equal precision. The high knot density and quality of materials make Pakistani rugs among the most durable handmade rugs available, capable of lasting for generations with proper care.
Our Pakistani collection spans the full range of what Pakistan produces. Bokhara rugs with their classic repeating gul motifs in deep reds and jewel tones. Ziegler and Chobi rugs with oversized muted florals on soft earthy grounds. Jaldar rugs with their distinctive diamond lattice designs in wool and silk blends. Oushak-inspired rugs with spacious floral fields and soft Anatolian palettes. Persian-style rugs from the fine Lahore workshops, hand-knotted with the precision and detail of the great Iranian tradition but at a more accessible price point. Each design reflects a different regional influence absorbed and reinterpreted by Pakistani artisans over centuries of craft.
We carry hand-knotted Pakistani area rugs in all standard sizes from small accent pieces through large 9x12 and oversized room rugs, as well as runners. Every piece is one of a kind and ships free worldwide.
