Story Behind the Art: Needlepoint rugs are flatweaves that are woven on open grid cotton fabric, "canvas" with sewing needle and wool yarn. Such a canvas allows for incredible detail and endless variation in design and motifs. Created with millions of hand stitches, complex shading and industrious detail, each needlepoint rug is a work of art. These pileless weaves historically have their origins in the 'rug belt,' a geographical region that spans from Morocco in North Africa through the Middle East and into Central Asia and Northern India. But it was mostly in England and France, where the art of needlework flourished and gained ascendance. French Needlepoint rugs make use of Aubusson and Savonnerie patterns that draw heavily on chinoiserie and Rococo motifs as well as Neoclassical architectural forms. While artistic design elements like baroque, chinoiserie, neoclassicism and rococo inform needlepoints from England, the floral motifs are their main style. First Chinese reproductions of French and English needlepoint were created in 1920s. During the 1980s, needlepoints underwent renewed interest and popularity. Now, the needlepoints are mainly hand woven in China, but they still match the originals in technique, coloring, design and quality.