The last few posts have explained what pile is in an Oriental rug. The different types of knots used to secure and establish the pile are very important in rug quality and overall style cohesion. The Flat Weave Pattern Unlike typical rugs, flat woven rugs use a different weave pattern to create a pileless rug. […]
When someone mentions weaving, it’s a natural mental jump to thinking of looms, yarn, and wool or cotton depending on the rug type and culture. However, there are lots of other weaving tools involved in the Oriental rug weaving process that many people don’t think about when they picture weaving. The main tools that rug […]
Typically, when someone thinks of oriental rugs, he or she automatically associates them with middle-eastern cultures and locations. For a variety of reasons, the most commonly known area for Oriental rug production is Persia. Persian Rugs of the World Persian rugs are renowned as the finest and most intricately designed rugs in the world, which […]
Fringe may bring back memories of bell-bottom jeans and leather jackets, but in all actuality oriental rugs have a very unique and special purpose for the construction and longevity of the rug’s structure and quality. In every rug, the warp and weft strands are woven together to form the foundation of the rug. The warp […]
In the 1980s, decorative carpets came into fashion. These rugs were formal looking and light in color. Essentially, they were the opposite of tribal and village rugs. Ironically, this change in preference come about just as the Oriental rug industry was finally able to meet the demand for inexpensive tribal rugs. Throughout the 70s and […]
We have seen that one of the ‘revolutionary’ aspects of modern rug production has been the return natural dyes. Not long ago, shoppers who were interested in new rugs had no choice but to buy rugs with synthetic dyes. Today, though, natural dyes are an option in new rugs and, in fact, you will have […]
By the 1950′s there simply were fewer new rugs to choose from than there had been in the past. Many of those available to us showed unmistakable deterioration. Oddly, as weaving skills were lost, rug designs often seemed to become more elaborate, resulting in new examples that were crowded and confusing. Materials in rugs suffered […]
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! Chenille Rug- a fabric composed of mercerized cotton. Inscription- Script on an […]
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 […]
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). […]