It was studded with precious stones. The period from the 16th century through the first half of the 18th century is known as Persia's golden age of carpet-making. A number of carpets survive from this era and are recognized for their harmony of colors and originality of designs. Carpet-making probably has been taking place in Turkey at least as long as in Persia. After his visit in 1271 to the Turkish region known as Anatolia, Italian traveler Marco Polo described the area's carpets, with their geometric designs and animal figures, as the most beautiful in the world.
Turkish rugs appear frequently in the paintings of well known artists.
It was primarily through Italian merchants that the Oriental rug became recognized and valued in Europe. Venice early established itself as a major trading trader with the East. Venetians spread Oriental rugs along their narrow streets, hung the rugs from windows and used them to decorated their gondolas. The Lord Chancellor of England, Cardinal Wolsey, is reported to have purchased 60 Turkish carpets from a Venetian dealer to furnish his palace at Hampton Court. Western interest in Oriental rugs waned during the 17th and 18th centuries.