During the reign of the Safavid dynasty in Persia, the arts of calligraphy, gilding, tiling, painting, miniatures, architecture, and carpet weaving approached their highest previous level. In this period, the Persian artists created very interesting designs that have since been imitated in many rug weaving countries. The ability of the master weavers of the Safavid period was so complete and sophisticated that since then only a limited number of designers have been able to re-create the original Safavid motifs. The master weavers of the Safavid dynasty created about one thousand five hundred rugs and carpets, some of which are magnificent masterpieces known all over the world.

The Safavid kings, such as Shah Tahmasb (1524-1587) and Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629), patronized these master weavers. They set up many weaving workshops in Kashan, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qazvin, Kerman, and Joshaghan and other suitable areas of Persia.

Diaries of well-known European travelers such as Tavernier, Chardin, and others who visited Persia in this period wrote extensively of the rug weavings in Persia. Their travel essays provide excellent source material of that era. In that period, the simple and rustic profession evolved into the art and elegant technique of carpet weaving.

Persian rugs became very popular in European nations and large quantities of rugs started to flow towards the European markets.

The main categories of rugs in the Safavid era are classified by their design as follows: Medallion, Vase, Hunting scenery, Tree and Shrub, Harati, and Garden.