‘Oriental’ is the broader stylistic umbrella term, whilst ‘Persian’ is one specific pattern style within that. On this site, the ‘Oriental’ category contains 19 products of varying origins, eight of which also fall under ‘Persian’. Persian and Oriental are therefore not mutually exclusive; it is not a comparison between two equivalent, separate groups.
Persian or Oriental: a brief overview
| Feature | Persian | Oriental |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Specific pattern style | Wider-style umbrella |
| Overlap | Part of Oosters | Includes Persian and other styles |
| What’s on offer on this site | 9 products | 19 products, 8 of which also have Persian titles |
| Origin | Turkey or Pakistan | Substitutes: Turkey, India, Morocco |
Persian is the more specific of the two styles
Persian is the pattern style with the densest, most ornamental character within the wider Oriental family. A full explanation of the origins of this particular selection can be found in Where does a Persian rug come from?.
- Rayan Mahi Persian rug: this deep-pile rug falls into both the Persian and the broader Oriental categories.
- Nadia Mahi Persian rug: this rug, too, displays this dual character: specifically Persian in terms of pattern, but broadly Oriental in terms of style.
- Farid Hevati Persian rug: its Turkish origin and high-pile weave confirm the characteristics typical of most Persian and Oriental products.
- Kasra Persian rug multicolour: this rug, too, falls under the dual classification of ‘Persian’ and ‘Oriental’, and shares the same Turkish origins as the rest of this selection.
‘Eastern’ encompasses more than just Persian
‘Oriental’ is the broader category which, in addition to Persian, also encompasses other origins and styles, from Indian kilims to Moroccan rugs. This makes ‘Oriental’ a collective term, not a separate, distinct style alongside Persian.
- Helena plain rug brown: this plain rug from Turkey is classified as ‘Oriental’, but not under the specific ‘Persian’ category.
- Enzo Kelim rug black: With India listed as its country of origin, this rug illustrates just how diverse the origins of Oriental rugs can be.
- Wren klassiek rug green: this rug also comes from India and is therefore not part of the Persian-Turkish/Pakistani mix shown on the rest of this page.
- Tatiana Arlequin rug grey: also from India, which once again demonstrates how varied the origins within the Oriental category are compared with the Persian selection.
When do you choose which one?
- You’re specifically looking for the dense, ornamental Persian pattern: filter directly by the Persian category.
- If you’d like to explore a wider range of styles and origins, start with Oriental and then refine it.
- If you’re curious about the exact origin of the name ‘Persian’, read on Where does a Persian rug come from?.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are not entirely distinct. ‘Persian’ refers to a specific pattern style, whilst ‘Oriental’ is a broader umbrella term that includes ‘Persian’. They therefore overlap to a large extent.
This is because ‘Eastern’ serves on this site as a broader stylistic umbrella term that encompasses several specific traditions, including Persian.
No. As the product selection above shows, Oosters also stocks rugs of a completely different origin and design, such as Indian kilims.
