Prior to the 17 th century, fine rug making had been relegated to the Eastern regions of Persia. As demand for these rugs grew in the West, Kings such as France’s Louis XIV commissioned local artisans to create rugs of their own. Louis XIV and other Western leaders soon influenced the rug making industry with their own unique demands for style and design, including the introduction of the embroidery technique. European rug designs differ from oriental rugs in many respects, but most noticeable was the departure from prominent medallions to ornate patterns and designs to suit exacting royal desires. The common ingredient, then and now, is the hardwork craft of exacting, hand-made quality.