Oriental Rugs Dictionary
Triclinium, Audience Rug
Triclinium carpets refer to rugs designed for use in a triclinium, the formal dining room in ancient Roman culture. These carpets were arranged in relation to three reclining couches, and designs may reflect multiple sections or coordinated layouts. The term is used to describe the function and arrangement rather than a specific weaving origin. In Certain Islamic countries it was customary in important dwellings to arrange rugs and carpets in the main chamber in a certain manner. The main carpet in the center with two runners along side of it and a wider runner (Kalleh, head) on the upper end. When a single rug is woven to represent this arrangement, it is known as an audience rug or triclinium (after the 3 couches surrounding the meal table in ancient Rome). These terms are not native to Islamic countries nor do they correctly suggest the function of the rug in a household.
