Rug Weaving
Is It Etically Wrong To Buy An Oriental Or Persian Rug?
Some time ago, I happened to meet a lady in a gathering of some friends. She is in her late sixties, and seems to be very well-educated. We are introduced by mutual friends and start a casual dialogue. She finds that I am in Oriental rugs business, and the conversation is somehow pushed toward this subject. She tells me how fond she is of these pieces of art and loves to have a few rugs of her own. “But I can never convince myself to buy one” she tells me. Why is that? I ask her because I am just curious to know.
She goes on to explain that she just knows it would be ethically wrong. We are losing our dear soldiers in wars against terrorism and against countries where Al Qaeda has its base. Anybody purchasing a rug that has been woven in those countries is, directly or indirectly, supporting terrorism.
She felt so strongly about this issue that I decided not to pursue it any further. It was a friendly and casual gathering after all. Ever since, I have been eager to express my thoughts on the topic. This is my business, my passion, and my hobby, and I too, feel strongly about the subject.
I have been on many “buying trips” since I was very young. The majority of handmade rugs are made in remote villages of Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Turkey. In many villages, weaving rugs is all people do. They know of nothing else, and they can produce nothing else. These are people limited to a very simple lifestyle, and the most they know about politics and international relations, is that there may be other cities and villages on the face of the planet where rug weaving is not the only job available to their citizens. There are other choices. They are in no way involved with what goes on with the games of international politics.
Once on a buying trip in Tabriz, located in northwestern region of Iran, my agent suggests that we visit a neighborhood which mainly consists of rug weavers after looking for rugs in the great Bazaar of Tabriz for two full days. We end up in a small house where the weaver has just finished a 7 X 10 Tabriz rug. This is a small family with a nine year old boy and a twelve year old girl. We agree on a price and end up buying it. As we approach the little gate to get into our car, I notice the little boy running after us with a healthy-looking chicken under his arms talking to us with tears in his eyes. He is speaking Turkish which I do not understand. I look at my agent for an explanation and he motions towards the car. Once we are in the car and a couple of miles away, I ask him about the incidence. The little boy was saying that his chicken had laid fresh eggs just this morning, and the little boy would ask his mother to cook us dinner with those eggs if we could leave “his rug” behind. I felt numb for a few minutes. They have a single room with a loom in it. Kids do their homework around it; they eat their food around it, and sleep around it. It becomes the centerpiece of their house just as a TV set is to our modern life. It is hard to part with it.
Weaving these works of art has nothing to do with politics or terrorist movements. There is a lot of “love” involved with these pieces, and politics is the main contrast to “love”. What you support when you purchase a rug is the livelihood of village families, and not Al Qaeda. It is completely ethical to buy a Persian or Oriental rug for your home. It is!
About the Author
Rug Firm is a direct importer of fine Persian and Oriental rugs. Rug Firm offers its customers free shipping within the U.S., free padding with every purchase, and a 30-day risk-free money back guarantee. Professional wash and repair services are available.
High quality Persian and Oriental rugs
Making Silk Rug / Carpet Weaving , Kashmir
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $37,500.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $37,500.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $37,500.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $25,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $25,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $25,000.00 |
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NAVAJO INDIAN RUG 10′ W x 12′ H TWO GREY HILLS WEAVING $18,000.00 |
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LUXURIOUS 14×22 FRENCH SAVONNERIE WEAVE RUG, SH2538 $15,000.00 |
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NAVAJO TEEC NOS POS RUG WEAVING TEXTILE HANDMADE $15,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $14,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $14,000.00 |
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NAVAJO INDIAN RUG GERMANTOWN WEAVING 1900′S $14,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $14,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $11,700.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $11,700.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $11,700.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $10,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $10,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $10,000.00 |
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RARE UNIQUE BLUE NAVAJO INDIAN RUG 88 1/2″L x 55 1/2″W TEEC NOS POS WEAVING $10,000.00 |
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NAVAJO INDIAN RUG TWO GREY HILLS WEAVING $9,500.00 |
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ANTIQUE SWP QASHQAI TRIBAL RUG, FINE WEAVE, EXCELLENT DESIGN, 4TH Q 19TH CENT. $9,500.00 |
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13’4” x 16′ Fine Weave Handwoven Tabriz Design Afghan Rug $9,500.00 |
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10×12 Hereke Rug Very Fine weave ivory excellent condt $9,500.00 |
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10×12 Hereke Rug navy rust Fine weave ivory excellent $9,500.00 |
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NAVAJO INDIAN RUG SANDPAINTING WEAVING ARNOLD BEGAY $8,900.00 |
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NAVAJO INDIAN RUG DRAGONFLY PATTERN WEAVING 1930′S $8,900.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $8,800.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $8,800.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $8,800.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $8,100.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $8,100.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $8,100.00 |
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7×10 spectacular Hereke rug fine weave 400 KPSI World’s finest rugs 20669 $7,900.00 |
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RARE 12X18 HANDMADE SERAPI DZ RUG – FINE WEAVE $7,500.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $7,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $7,000.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $7,000.00 |
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12X15 SAVONNERIE PILE AUBUSSON WEAVE RUG- THICK PILE $6,500.00 |
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1930′S TRANSITIONAL NAVAJO INDIAN RUG 85 1/2″L x 65″W WEAVING TEXTILE $6,500.00 |
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6×9 Hereke Rug Very Fine weave unique excellent shape $6,500.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $6,400.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $6,400.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $6,400.00 |
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★ Vintage SKY BLUE Isfahan Persian Rug Very fine Weave $5,955.00 |
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6×9 Rug Pakistan blue gold velvet 100% ultra soft fine wool 21982 fine weaving $5,950.00 |
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9’1” x 11 Fine Weave Handwoven Tabriz Design Afghan Rug $5,500.00 |
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ANTIQUE FARAGHAN SAROUK RUG, BEAUTIFUL DESIGN & COLOUR, FINE WEAVE, CIRCA 1900. $5,500.00 |
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8′ x 10′ Fine Weave Handwoven Tabriz Design Afghan Rug $5,500.00 |
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Navajo Weaving,Textile, Rug, Blanket, Collectable Wide Ruins – Geneva Shabi $5,500.00 |
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14X24 New Hi-End Fine Weave Quality 12/60 Rug-FREE SHIP $5,499.00 |
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★ Beautiful Persian Sarouk Rug Very Fine Weave $5,489.00 |
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Sadie Kanuho-Huge Teec-Nos-Pos Rug-Great Weaving $5,400.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F072F-51 $5,400.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F124WD-28 $5,400.00 |
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French Aubusson Flat Weave Area Rug Custom Made to Order~Hand Woven~F0551080 $5,400.00 |
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Pre-order/Custom made Fine Elegant Classic CHIC Real French AUBUSSON WEAVE RUG $5,292.00 |
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12×18 BEIGE FINE AUBUSSON WEAVE ORIENTAL HAND KNOTTED WOOL AREA RUG CARPET $5,000.00 |
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14X24 New Hi-End Fine Weave Quality 12/60 Rug-FREE SHIP $5,000.00 |
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12×18 AUBUSSON WEAVE 260 KPSI ORIENTAL WOOL AREA RUG $5,000.00 |
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Drymate Absorbant Kitchen Mat Drymate Absorbant Kitchen Mat. Kitchen counters stay clean, dry and scratch-free with the Drymate Kitchen Drymat! Large, 18 x 20 mat is super absorbent and contains up to five times its weight in water, with a waterproof inner layer that traps spills. Use under your dish rack or coffee maker, or for drying glasses, fruits and vegetables. Lightweight, durable and can easily be cut to any size or sh… |
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Twelve Hand Woven Chimayo 5×5 Wool Coasters Assortment Dozen $36.95 Hand loomed in 100% virgin wool using natural pigments in old traditional Spanish looms these four mats are masterfully finished. Completely hand made in the tradition of Northern New Mexico with traditional 300 year old designs. Organic cotton warp produced in small batches is used for all the weaving. Compare at $ 59.95 or more retail. Items shipped may be different than the stock photo on ad. … |
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Hooking Rugs with Gloria E. Crouse $39.99 … |
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Rug Weaving: Block Weaves and Shaft Switching “In this comprehensive video workshop, Jason Collingwood includes all the information needed to weave a successful, durable weft-faced rug. He begins with a discussion on tools and materials and then provides step-by-step instructions on how to warp the loom. Along the way he covers beaming for high tension, ensuring neat and durable selvedges and finishing the fringes. You will learn to create bl… |
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Rug Weaving: Block Weaving and Shaft Switching $24.95 This comprehensive video workshop covers all information needed to weave a successful weft-faced rug. Jason Collingwood teaches you to make a durable rug beginning with how to warp the loom. He shows how to create blocks of color using a standard threading and then how to change the placement of blocks to alter the design. This method of manipulating the warp threads allows almost unlimited possib… |
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Tapestry Techniques for Rug Weaving $24.95 This comprehensive DVD thoroughly explores warp and weft interlocking tapestry techniques. A thorough discussion of general warping and weaving tips as they relate to rug weaving is presented. It includes tips on joining wefts, edge control, weft direction and the cause and elimination of those dreaded “ridges”. Along with much more… |
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Rug Hooking Learn At Home Series, Volume 2 $19.95 Getting started with outline and fillHooking outline and fillGetting started with fine shadingSequential hooking fine shadingGetting started with scrapsHooking with scrapsSpecial consideration scrap hookingHooking a dip-dyed roseSpecial considerations for dip-dyesSee rug-hooking methods in close-up detail, freeze-frame to capture techniques, and reverse to review a lesson in this comprehensive int… |
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Lextra Indienne Colonial Williamsburg, 10.25 x 7.125 Inches, MouseRug, Navy, Light Blue and Cream, One (MWD-1) $15.98 Welcome to the world of unique miniatures inspired by the world’s great rug-making traditions. With a stunning look and a soft, comfortable feel, patented Lextra MouseRugs are uniquely functional and decorative accessories. With a rare combination of comfort, classic beauty and durable quality designed to last for decades of use, MouseRugs attract instant attention and appeal to a wide range of pe… |
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Woven Stellar Rug (5’3 x 7’6) $117.29 Woven of polypropylene, this shag rug features a no shedding, ultra plush, hard twist texture. Available in a variety of color, this area rug will add style and comfort to any room. |
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Woven Stellar Rug (7’10 x 10’6) $243.94 Woven of polypropylene, this shag rug features a no shedding, ultra plush, hard twist texture. Available in a variety of color, this area rug will add style and comfort to any room. |
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Black Woven Bamboo Rug (3′ x 5′) $22.09 Update your home decor with this unique woven bamboo rug Fashionable floor rug features a casual look Area rug is made by hand from 100-percent natural bamboo |
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Cherry Brown Hand-woven Sisal Rug (8’9 x 12′) $175.09 Hand-woven sisal rug makes a stylish and durable addition to any roomFlat-weave area rug provides rubber backing and cotton borderRug presents a casual border design in cherry wine |
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Hand-woven Raz Rug (5′ x 8′) $164.89 Hand woven of polyester, this shag rug features an ultra plush pile. Available in a variety of color, this area rug will add style and comfort to any room. |
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Hand-woven Bamboo Rug (5′ x 8′) $42.49 Add a fresh look to your home decor with a new rug Casual rug is crafted of 100-percent hand-woven bamboo Area rug displays rich shades of light and dark brown |
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Hand-woven Salem Wool Rug (8′ x 11′) $299.19 This Salem rug features hand-woven wool in an enchanting geometric pattern. With a flat pile, this rug has shades of sage and ivory. |
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Handmade Elite Flat-woven Rug (4′ x 6′) $59.49 Striking rug will add character to any room with its bold array of colors Meticulously flat-woven rug was handmade in India with luxurious sheep’s wool Rug displays transitional design in brown, tan and taupe |
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Hand-woven Jute Black Rug (8′ x 10′) $151.29 Enhance your home decor with this hand-woven sisal rugStylish area rug has latex backingFloor rug features a casual style |
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Hand-woven Rug (8′ x 10′) $293.24 Spruce up your home decor with a new rug Floor rug is crafted of polyester Casual rug is a durable addition to your living room, bedroom or dining room |
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Hand-woven Kilim Wool Rug (4′ x 6′) $73.94 Hand-woven of wool and jute, this rug provides both resistance to wear and a natural, casual feel that is perfect for any room. This rug features a striking chevron stripe pattern in hues of beige jute and black wool. |
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Hand-wove Kilim Wool Rug (8′ x 11′) $260.09 Hand-woven of wool and jute, this rug provides both resistance to wear and a natural, casual feel that is perfect for any room. This rug features a striking chevron stripe pattern in hues of beige jute and black wool. |
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Hand-woven Kilim Wool Rug (5′ x 8′) $121.54 Hand-woven of wool and jute, this rug provides both resistance to wear and a natural, casual feel that is perfect for any room. This rug features a striking chevron stripe pattern in hues of beige jute and black wool. |
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Open Weave Non-slip Rug Pad (3′ x 5′) $16.57 This non-slip rug underlay increases comfort and extends the life of your area rug. This rug pad prevents dangerous bunching and slipping. |
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Black Woven Bamboo Rug (2′ x 7′) $22.94 Update your home decor with this stylish bamboo rug Floor rug features a casual design and style Area rug is handmade from 100-percent natural bamboo |
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Hand-woven Mohwak Jute Rug (8′ x 10’6) $188.69 Complement your home decor with a hand-woven jute rug Floor rug features a contemporary design Area rug is crafted from 100-percent jute |
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Hand-woven Red Shag Rug (8′ x 10′) $373.99 This hand-woven shag rug adeptly blends a diverse palette of rich shades and an unusual mix of multi-fiber composition. This polyester- and wool-blend rug includes subtle feather-inspired yarn accents for added visual drama. |
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Walnut Woven Bamboo Rug (2′ x 7′) $22.94 Handmade bamboo area rug perfect for your modern home decor Casual look with 100-percent natural bamboo, creating the perfect area rug Coordinating canvas border rug with skid resistant canvas |
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Hand-woven Arthur Wool Rug (5′ x 8′) $162.34 Hand woven of wool, this reversible Jill Rosenwald rug features a flat pile and classic design. Shades of grey and ivory complete this simple, elegant area rug. |
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Hand-woven Rust Jute Rug (6′ x 9′) $134.29 Lend a touch of natural style to your decor with this hand-woven rug. Constructed of durable jute, this area rug is finished in a rugged shade of rust. |
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Flat Woven Red Wool Rug (9′ x 12′) $504.89 Hand-crafted in a durable flatwoven construction, this reversible rug brings together a color palette of red, green, and grey to compliment a spectrum of environments. Rich wool construction and a unique dyeing process give this rug color depth. |
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Handmade Tan Woven Bamboo Rug (2′ x 7′) $23.79 Give your home decor a touch of the exotic with this bamboo area rug Casual rug is handmade in China from 100-percent natural bamboo strips Each rug finished with a coordinating canvas border |
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Hand-woven Braided Jute Rug (6′ x 9′) $123.24 Instantly update your home decor with a casual jute rug. This durable area rug is hand-woven from jute material. With a braided design that will lend a unique touch to any room in your home, this rug features a natural jute color of solid beige. |
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Hand-woven Blue Jute Rug (8′ x 10′) $206.54 Primary materials: JutePile height: 0.5 inches Style: Casual |
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Hand-woven Braided Jute Rug (8′ x 10′ 6) $204.84 Instantly update your home decor with this casual jute rug Durable area rug is hand-woven from jute material Floor rug features a braided design |
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Hand-woven Patras Jute Rug (9′ x 13′) $277.94 Update your home decor with a new rug Area rug is hand-woven of 100-percent jute Casual rug features shades of bleach |
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Hand-woven Natural Jute Rug (8′ x 10’6) $127.49 Let the natural style of this jute rug enrich your home decorArea rug is hand-woven from 100-percent juteFloor rug features a natural tone to match almost any decor |
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Hand-woven Sisal Red Rug (8′ Round) $123.24 Enhance your home decor with this hand-woven sisal rug Stylish area rug has latex backing Floor rug features a casual style |
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Hand-woven Raz Rug (8′ x 10′) $326.39 Hand woven of polyester, this shag rug features an ultra plush pile. Available in a variety of color, this area rug will add style and comfort to any room. |
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Hand-woven Natural Jute Rug (8′ x 10’6) $130.04 Let the natural style of this jute rug enrich your home decor Area rug is hand-woven from 100-percent jute Floor rug features a natural cream tone to match almost any decor |
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Hand-woven Jute Rug (4′ x 6′) $62.89 Add a touch of style to your home decor with a hand-woven jute rug Contemporary rug is crafted from 100-percent jute Elegant rug features shades of brown, green, gold, rust and beige |
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Tan Woven Bamboo Rug (5′ x 7′) $64.59 Enhance your home decor with this stylish woven bamboo rug Fashionable floor rug features a casual look Area rug is made by hand from 100-percent natural bamboo |
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Hand-woven Neon Rug (8′ x 10′) $283.04 Complete your home decor with a new area rug Casual rug is sure to be a stylish, durable addition to any room in your home Rug is hand-woven of 100-percent polyester |
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Hand-woven Salem Wool Rug (5′ x 8′) $152.99 This Salem rug features hand-woven wool in an enchanting geometric pattern. With a flat pile, this rug has shades of sage and ivory. |
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Hand-woven Red Jute Rug (8′ x 10′) $179.34 This solid rug features a lovely red shade and is made of jute. This area rug features a hand-woven construction and sturdy 0.38-inch pile height. |