Syria brand rug. Semi plush. Feels soft and dense to the touch. I do not think a pad is necessary.  It is really a pretty rug, more of a shabby chic/old world look. My only complaint is that the pictures on the website are not a true representation of this rug. As soon as we opened it, we noticed that it looks a few shades darker than the online pictures. This rug is described as gray/ivory and the close ups from the website show light gray and light ivory. However there are definitely taupy hues in it (look at my close up pictures).  Hence, it clashes with the rest of the room and I wish I had known before purchasing. Sadly it has to go back.