Round Rugs

History

Most historians trace round rugs back to the time of the Islamic group called, Mamluks. This group, which existed in about the fifteenth century were Turkish slaves who were specially trained and then freed to serve the Egyptian sultan. With the weakening of the Egyptian the Malmuks took the throne and the age of Malmuk's began. In this period Islamic art was alive and thriving. Hence, the period is often referred to as the renaissance of Islamic art. One of their famous pieces of arts was rugs. These unique knitted rugs were virtually made of three colors- jewel-toned reds, blues, and greens. Their patters usually consisted of simple geometric forms and leaves repeated within circles and squares. This paralleled the architectural styles at the time as well as the metalwork, enameled glass, inlaid stone, and illuminated manuscripts. A number of exhibitions in art museums today display this ancient work of art. Though most Mamluk rugs you come across will probably be rectangle, the Malmuks are believed to be the originators of the round rug.

The Aubusson and Savonnerie rug collection, two rug styles from the eighteenth to nineteenth century in France, probably contained the next appearance of round rugs. These rugs both come in pastel colors with intricate designs. Aubusson rugs were flat woven with a center medallion. Savonnerie rugs were thicker woven and usually had a uniform design.

Consumer Information

The perfectly symmetrical round rugs create a powerful design statement. They can also do wonders for the negative space that surrounds them. Many round rugs have a thick border around them. The circle inside the usually has a contrasting color and pattern and is called a medallion.

Round rugs usually work best when accenting some piece of furniture. The furniture should be perfectly centered in the rug area. The rug should comfortably surround the furniture leaving a generous border, but not more than that. Sometimes a few round rugs can be overlapped for a more daring effect.

Sizing

Round rugs come in all different sizes. Just remember, because we are talking about a perfect circle, you will only need one number- the diameter and not the width and length. The diameter is the measurement from the center of the circle until any point on the edge.