The long history of hand-knotted Persian carpets dates back to before the 15th century. However, during the time of Shah Abbas, ruler of the Safavid Empire in the late 1500s and early 1600s, Persian carpets evolved from a cottage art to an exquisite, highly regarded art form. Since that time, Persian carpets have adorned palaces, homes and offices, adding grace and beauty to a room. Styles vary from geometric tribal motifs in bold colors to curvilinear floral patterns in a variety of tones. Persian carpets can be used as the focal point of any room or as a decorative accessory to embellish the décor.