ARRAIOLOS RUG

embroidered floor covering made at Arraiolos, north of vora in Portugal. The technique is herringbone or cross-stitch on a linen cloth foundation. Early Arraiolos rugs utilized designs derived from the Persians, from whom the Portuguese learned the craft. Portuguese artisans soon replaced these Persian designs with Portuguese folk-art patterns in more limited colours, and most of the later rugs are much smaller and simpler. A fine collection of these rugs is displayed in the National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon. Arraiolos rugs are still being produced.