Flat-weave rugs have been used for millennia as flooring, wall hangings, saddle pads and prayer rugs. 'Aubussons, dhurries and kelims all use the same technique,' says Christopher Sharp. 'They are a simple weave in which the visible parts of the rug are the weft threads, which are woven under and over the warps and packed together tightly so that the warps are not visible. '
Aubusson rugs Made until the 1830s in Aubusson, France, with designs using architectural and floral motifs. 'They are finely woven in wool on wool warp. These rugs were traditionally made in very large sizes for grand chateaux,' says Sharp.
Dhurrie (also spelt durry or dhurry) rugs From India, mostly simple and geometric in style. They are made of wool, cotton on wool or cotton warp and vary in size from small to very large.
Kelim (kilim) From Eastern Europe, Morocco, Turkey and the Middle East. They are mostly geometric, occasionally floral (bessarabian) and can be coarse or fine and made of wool, cotton or silk. They generally make useful everyday items in areas such as doorways or bedrooms.
