The first hand-knotted pile carpets probably have their origins in Mongolia or Turkestan between the 4th and 2nd millennium BC. In the 10th Century, the Moors introduced carpet-making to Spain. Meanwhile, the Crusades brought Turkish carpets to all of Europe. During this period, they were primarily hung on walls as tapestries or used on tables. In the 17th century, when trade routes were first opened, significant numbers of Persian rugs were introduced to Western Europe. Embroidery carpets differ from woven carpets, in that they are not formed on a loom. The craftsman establishes a desired pattern by applying stitches to a cloth base, which is often made of linen. Embroidered carpets were traditionally sewn by royal and aristocratic women. However, there was also a good deal of commercial carpet manufacturing that was prevalent in the 16th century. At this time, there was a rise in overall productivity, due to the introduction of steel needles. This in turn resulted in a significant improvement in the craft of linen weaving. The carpet designs of the 16th century usually featured scrolling vines and regional flowers. They sometimes included animal heraldry and the coat of arms of the maker. During the Victorian era, embroidered carpets displayed beautiful 3-dimensional flowers. In 1804 in Germany, a type of carpet that was composed of a series of squares became popular. These were called tiled carpets. Machine-made carpets were invented in 19th-century Great Britain. These included tapestry brussels and tapestry velvet. These carpet-making techniques minimized waste by printing a multitude of colors on the same thread, thereby eliminating the need for the use of different spools. The chenille technique was developed by James Templeton in 1839. The special attention to detail that has prevailed in carpet making throughout the centuries means that a savvy collector can find some wonderful, well-preserved carpets for their homes. | 
