Bessarabian rugs are a group of nineteenth century flatweaves or kilims made in the mountainous Carpathian region between the Ukraine and Moldova, which reflect synthesis of local folk motifs and designs inspired by eighteenth century French carpets popular at the Russian Court and in aristocratic circles. Both metropolitan and provincial antique Bessarabian kilim rugs are distinguished from Western European urban weavings by less formal designs that manage to achieve an elegant balance between noble and poor, grace and force.

Karabagh is the name of a region in the Southern Caucasus, the capital of which is Shusha, where knotted-pile rugs have been produced since the eleventh century. Given its situation between the Black and Caspian Seas, bordered by Turkey and Iran, Karabagh has always been a melting pot of religion and culture. Although similar to other rugs from the Caucasus in their coarse weave and symmetric knots, the rugs from Karabagh tend to be the largest. The most unusual of antique Karabagh carpets are rose-patterned, clearly created in response to Western taste, utilizing geometric pink and red flowers, bouquets arranged in garlands with swags, on grounds of dark blue or black.