Oriental rugs always use natural fibers, and any rug containing synthetic material will invariably have been machine made. The only exception to this rule in the occasional use of very small quantities of gold or metallic thread in some workshop and master workshop items. Wool, cotton, and silk are the main materials, although goat and […]
Every month or so, we will post a few interesting rug-related terms and their definitions in this glossary for your knowledge and enjoyment. Always educate yourself on a topic before you make a purchase, especially with something like Persian Rugs! These terms can help your rug-related knowledge base and help in your next purchase of […]
Oriental rugs always use natural fibers, and any rug containing synthetic material will invariably have been machine made. The only exception to this rule in the occasional use of very small quantities of gold or metallic thread in some workshop and master workshop items. Wool, cotton, and silk are the main materials, although goat and […]
In 1949 the Chinese invaded Tibet, and inadvertently changed the modern history of oriental carpets. Before then, Tibetans made rugs for their own uses, which often involved religious ceremonies. There was little, if any, commerce in new Tibetan rugs outside Tibet (though today the oldest rugs from Tibet are amongst the most desirable to collectors). […]
Having an Antique Hand Knotted Oriental Rug doesn’t mean it can’t be new again. By either repairing or restoring or doing both you can bring back the life of your valuable antique rug. People with antique rugs hope that they can look like new again keeping this valuable piece in the family for generations to come, […]
All oriental rugs are made in one of two ways: they are either hand-woven (flat-weaves) or hand-knotted (pile rugs). Individual weaving groups may adopt slightly varying methods of construction, particularly in the type of knot used to form the pile, and it is often these slight differences in weaving and structure, taken in conjunctions with […]
Every month or so, we will post a few interesting rug-related terms and their definitions in this glossary for your knowledge and enjoyment. Always educate yourself on a topic before you make a purchase, especially with something like Persian Rugs! Art Squares- Late nineteenth-century, power-loomed English carpets. These carpets were woven as whole, independent carpets, […]
The most important factor when choosing an oriental rug is the reason ‘why’ the rug is being bought. It is not unknown for people to purchase extremely attractive and reasonably priced items only to find later that they are the wrong size, or that the color and design clash with their decorative scheme. Equally, some […]
Every so often, we write a rug term dictionary post for those wanting to improve their handmade rug vernacular. Whether you are an expert on decorative rugs or reading about the field for the first time, you will find these terms very informative! Metallic Threads- Gold, silver and other metals have been used in rugs […]
Most varieties of Oriental rugs have wool pile, but many have cotton warp and weft. This cotton foundation can be weakened, and sometimes actually rotted, if the rug gets wet repeatedly and is not properly dried. A common cause of damage occurs when potted plants are placed directly on a rug. The plant is watered […]