Indian
Rugs Information
HISTORY
http://www.delanjianrugs.com/pages/history.html
Isn’t it amazing that these beautiful, yet
functional, works of art are woven today still using the same materials,
techniques and designs as centuries ago? In fact, evidence of rug
weaving goes back to the 5th century BC as documented by the discovery
of the Pazyryk rug, unearthed in southern Siberia in 1947. It is
one of the oldest surviving pile rugs. This rug, measuring 5’11"
x 6’6", is quite sophisticated with 225 knots per square
inch. It has a very interesting history. It was buried in a prince’s
tomb that was ransacked by robbers. In their haste to leave, they
left an opening that allowed water to enter. The water then froze
and preserved the contents of the tomb, including this incredible
rug. This rug is now on display in Leningrad’s Hermitage Museum.
The very first pile weavings were utilitarian, made by nomads who
needed to cover the bare ground and walls inside their tents with
a material that would provide as much warmth as possible. Other
practical uses of pile weavings were a variety of bags that were
used for storing many different items.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the most exquisite oriental
rugs were woven throughout the Persian Empire. The shahs who ruled
during this time were great patrons of the arts and brought artists
and weavers from all over the Empire to design and create beautiful
carpets of the finest materials. These carpets were intended not
only to be functional, but to be works of art. The few surviving
carpets of this period are in museums. One of the most incredible
is the Ardebil carpet, measuring 17’6" by 34’6"
and having about 300 knots per square inch. The pile, or face of
the carpet, is made of wool while the foundation is made of silk.
This rug can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London
and is dated at 1539–1540 AD.
Weaving flowered in Turkey and in Persia during the 16th and 17th
centuries. However, large scale weaving declined in the early 18th
century, when the Afghans invaded Persia. For many years after there
were almost continual wars in Persia and turmoil throughout the
Turkish Empire. The demand for beautiful court carpets was gone.
For the most part, weaving was left to villagers and nomads who
needed such fabrics for household use. Weaving had returned to its
early roots.
The 19th century brought a revival of the art of weaving rugs,
this time due to demand from the US and Europe for carpets. Weaving
has continued since then and today a larger number of countries
than ever (the major ones being Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Turkey,
and Romania) have increased their rug weaving production to the
point where they make a significant contribution to the rug market
in the United States and Europe.
Today we are seeing rugs woven in a variety of different settings
— from whimsical and spontaneous nomadic rugs and elegantly
detailed workshop carpets to rugs being woven in an organized cottage
industry setting or in government sponsored workshops. Many of the
designs still represent the classic centuries-old patterns using
the traditional rich jewel-like tones. Others, especially rugs from
China and India, depict variations of these earlier motifs and designs,
offering a wider range of color tones and a wider variety of sizes.
There have never been more rugs to see and enjoy; yet on the other
hand, choosing a rug has never been more confusing for the consumer.
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