Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
Rugs from Afghanistan tend to be quite stylized with a limited number of colors. The Afghan guls and the Ersari are similar to the "Bokhara" in pattern and color and are the basis for most Afghanistan rugs. The "Bokhara" patterns, produced in the central Asian nation of Turkestan, are traditionally a deep shade of red with a repeating pattern of guls (polygons) in dark blue, black or brown with white accents. Another popular type of rug from Afghanistan is the Belouch, which is made primarily by nomadic tribesmen. The Belouch weavers are particularly fond of prayer rugs in dark colors and primarily utilize geometric patterns.
Some Afghan-style rugs go through a process called "gold washing" in which the original red color is chemically changed to shades of gold, coral, and amber. The effect is quite pleasing and often adds to the value of the carpet. To determine if a rug has undergone this procedure, spread the pile to expose the knots, which will remain unbleached and red.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
Traditional Chinese rugs are immediately recognizable by their simple, classic motifs and unusual colors. These rugs often feature a center, circular medallion; familiar objects seen in nature such as animals, flowers, and clouds; stylized Chinese ideographs; and even entire scenes. They are usually framed with a simple, wide border.
Contemporary Chinese rugs are produced in large workshops and meet strict quality standards, so they are consistent in quality no matter in which area of China they are woven. The rugs are woven with a 5-ply yarn, in contrast with the 2-ply yarns used in Iran. Many Chinese rugs are sculpted where contrasting colors meet to provide interest and texture to the simple patterns.
China also produces rugs with non-indigenous Chinese designs including Persian, French Aubusson, and Savonnerie, and Art Deco. These rugs are usually of high quality and extremely durable.
In addition, China produces a tufted rug in various designs which is less costly. A hand-held tufting gun is used to insert the pile through a canvas or duck backing, and a heavy cloth is glued to the back of the rug after completion. These rugs are handmade, but not handwoven, and therefore do not fit the definition of "Oriental Rugs."
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
India, in recent years, has become one of the leading centers of Oriental rug production due greatly to its large, primarily rural population. The rug industry has boosted the standard of living for many Indians while allowing them to remain in a rural setting instead of traveling to a city to find industrial employment.
More rugs are currently imported by the United States from India than any other country. As most of the rugs produced are destined for export, Indian craftsmen are very conscious of market demands, and rugs from India are available in a wide range of colors, sizes, and designs.
Most of the patterns produced in India originated in other countries, and practically every popular carpet design is produced. Since the rugs are not representative of the area where they are produced, it's wise not to rely on the name of the rug for its place of origin.
India is also a leader in producing the newly popular dhurrie rug, and there is a wide selection of charming flat-weave rugs from which to choose.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
The creation of Tibetan carpets incorporates elements of the pastoral and primitive that enhance the quality and inherent value of the rugs. Entire families and villages are dedicated to the art of rug weaving. In the facilities of Tufenkian Tibetan Carpets, a noted weaver and supplier to Persian Rug Gallery, Tibetan refugees live in company-owned collectives that provide housing, food, health care and, most important, schooling.
Each Tufenkian room-size carpet takes more than 3,000 hours to complete. The wool is sheared from Himalayan mountain sheep. Because of the extreme climate and altitude, their coats are rich in lanolin, a natural oil rendering the hard wool soft and durable, reflective, and very stain and soil resistant. The wool fibers are regarded by experts as one of the finest for carpet weaving.
The wool is trekked down the mountains by yak, over the Himalayas to Nepal. It is washed in the current of mountain streams without chemicals or bleaches, then carded or combed by hand to remove debris and straighten the fibers. The wool is then spun and dyed by hand, resulting in an uneven thickness, twist, and coloration that creates rich textures in the finished carpet.
During weaving, the wool is looped around then cut away from a metal rod. The traditional Tibetan knot, also called a "looped Senneh," involves a process unique to Tibetan weaving and gives the designs a comfortable and unstructured look. After the loops are cut, the pile is beaten down with a heavy wooden comb. The pile is then sheared for uniformity, and the edges of each color are lightly carved to emphasize the design. The finished rugs are shipped to England, where they are washed and steamed.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
The surrounding countries have had a tremendous impact on Pakistan, and the result in the rug industry has been a blending of Persian, Caucasian, and Turkish designs. When Pakistan was separated from India after World War II, the weaving industry went into a decline. Recent government support has resulted in a thriving industry for the country, and the Oriental rugs being produced there are increasingly more diverse and higher in quality.
One of the favorite patterns of Pakistan is the "elephant foot" or "gul" design of the Bokharas. In addition to the traditional red background, Pakistani Bokharas now are being woven in a wide spectrum of colors and in many different sizes.
In recent years, Pakistani weavers have diversified into other designs and today are utilizing many of the traditional Persian floral patterns.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
For many people, the term "Oriental" rug and "Persian" rug are mistakenly synonymous. The Persian Empire was where rug-making reached its zenith during the 16th century, and many of the traditional patterns and weaving techniques are still being practiced in the present-day nation of Iran. In addition, there are other types of rug weaving in Iran which range from simple pieces produced by nomadic people to highly sophisticated rugs produced in workshops which have preserved this historical Persian art.
Iranian rugs are usually named after the town, district, or tribal area where they are produced, and include the classic Kerman, Sarouk, Tabriz, and Heriz. Each area has its traditional patterns and typical palette of colors. The design in Iranian rugs reflects the Persian passion for detail and displays an intricate interplay between geometric and floral patterns.
Because labor and production costs have risen rapidly in Iran and the amount of weaving has declined, rugs from that country are more costly than those of comparable quality from surrounding areas. The political situation has also contributed to making Iranian rugs more difficult to obtain. But despite the many problems besetting the historic land of their origin, "Persian" rugs continue to be much sought after and prized.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
Rumania has a 300-year history of producing beautiful, high quality rugs. However, this tradition faltered during World War I. It wasn't until 1950, when the Rumanian government established communes and centralized the rug-weaving industry, that Rumania began a resurgence in rug production.
The rugs produced by Rumania today meet high standards of quality and include a wide array of Persian and Caucasian designs. The names given to Romanian rugs are from towns, provinces, rivers and mountains, but the names do not reflect where the rug was produced. Instead, they classify the quality of the rugs in terms of knots per meter.
In recent years, Rumania has become known for the quality of its carpets and the wide variety of sizes in differing patterns that are available. Rumanian kilims, with a classic design of regularly spaced colorful flowers sometimes interspersed with ears of grain, are among the best quality kilims currently being produced.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
Turkey, once a center of rug weaving, suffered a decline in the past 50 years. The disruption of World War I affected the industry for many years. It is only in recent years that the nation has begun to regain its standing in the marketplace. Because of this interruption in production, many of the available rugs from Turkey fall into the "semi-antique" (between 50 and 75 years old) and "antique" (over 100 years old) categories. These rugs are highly prized for their designs, colors, and quality.
Today the Turkish government is encouraging rug weaving as a cottage industry. The rugs being produced are of high quality and faithfully follow the traditional designs. In response to the decorative needs in the United States, the traditional brilliant reds and blues are being softened and modified by Turkish weavers.
While the number of exports is still relatively small, the rug weaving tradition is slowly growing, and interesting rugs are again being produced.
Afghanistan • China • India • Nepal/Tibet • Pakistan • Persia • Rumania • Turkey
| View the Rugs • About the Rugs |
| Persian Rug Galleries Website Search Search the whole Persian Rug Galleries website for keywords or specific information. If you can't find what your looking for feel free to |
 227 1/2 Main Street • Nashua, NH 03060 (603) 882-5604 • (800) 225-0688 fax: (603) 882-4625 sy@persianrugsnh.com The Gallery • Goods & Services • Cleaning • What Is Value? • Twenty Questions • Tradition |
