In the century after the death of Shah Abbas the Great who overthrew the last king of the Safavid dynasty (Shah-Sultan Hossein), and during the revolt of the Afghan Army (1721), interest in the fine arts ebbed in Persia. One of the most important arts, rug weaving began a serious decline and no innovations occurred in rug weaving.

Only some rugs were woven for the mosques and shrines but unfortunately, these rugs rotted and wore out, as there was no longer anyone trained to take care of them. Luckily, European business firms who dealt in commerce with Persia exported some of these rugs to the different Museums in Europe and America, where one can still admire them.

Finally, during the Afghan revolt, nothing remained of the Persian arts and handicrafts. During their domination and even during the reign of Nader Shah (1736-1747) and Karim Khan Zand (1750-1779). The art and the industry of rug weaving had altogether lost their importance and splendor.

Only at the end of the Ghajarieh period this art, once more, began to regain its fame. In that period both in Persia and abroad the wealthy and prosperous families became interested in possessing Persian rugs. They began to buy and collect them once again.

Many merchants and tourists went to Persia and brought fine rugs back to their own countries. Their admiration and their description of these rugs sparked European interest in Persian rugs to a very high level. Towards the middle of the 19th century the exportation of rugs to the European and American markets under the supervision of the merchants in Tabriz. They began to collect many old rugs from native tribesmen who lived in different parts of Persia.

After sorting, these rug bales were exported to Istanbul (Turkey). European representatives of big firms and companies dealing in rugs rushed into the free port to encounter cunning Turkish merchants who labeled the rugs deceptively as "Turkish rugs". Many of the rugs sold during that period bore the Turkish label until this practice was discovered.

As the request for Persian rugs increased the production was insufficient to meet the demand. The commercial firms established many factories and installed looms in Azarbaijan, and other parts of Persia, such as Khorasan, Kerman, and in the central regions. In Tabriz, Kashan, Esfahan, Arak (former Sultan-Abad), thousands of weavers worked fervently to supply and satisfy their customers.

In this period, the fame of Persian rugs reached its peak. The demand for these rugs was so great that many European and American firms sent their representatives to Persia and established factories in the regional weaving centers.

The Persian rugs, which were so sought after in the western countries, were produced and exported in large quantities. The rugs were soon being demanded by the affluent in all parts of the world.

In 1883, a famous English firm, Ziegler, established branches in Tabriz and Sultan-Abad. They financed and supported the weavers, providing them with the necessary materials. Some exclusive rugs and carpets ordered by European firms and woven by the skilled artisans are still rare examples of this period.