History

Even BC, oriental rugs were already a royal treasure. Today, the most famous carpet is known as the Pazyryk Carpet. It was found in 1949 in a tomb in Outer mongolia. It is estimated to be from the 5th Century BC. You can see it in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.
There were not many rugs knotted until around 1880. Most of the so-called antique rugs available today, were knotted between 1880 and World War 1. It is usually considered that pre World War 1 rugs are referred to as antique rugs.
Lots of changes happened in the weaving and style of rugs after 1910 - 1915.

Another important change was the introduction of chemical dyes, which happened at the same period. Aniline dye was the first chemical dye introduced in the begining of the century. After that, chrome dye was introduced, and considered as superior to the aniline.

The Making

The oriental rugs are special because they are always hand knotted.
They are composed of three different parts:
The Warp: It is made by the vertical and parallel threads. Often in cotton, and stretched between both ends of the loom.
The Woof: is made of one or several horizontal threads , often in cotton, which are inserted between every rank of knots.
The velours: is the surface itself of the rug. It is made of short pieces of threads knotted around the wharp. The knots are aligned on the width, and never on the length.

The Loom and the tools

Vertical loom

The horizontal loom, very simple, is used by nomadic people, since it is easy to move. The vertical loom, is used in the small centers of woving. Its length is never more than 3 meters. The Tabriz loom is an improvement of the vertical loom, and is very used. The rotative spool loom is a better improvement of the vertical loom. It can be used for any length of rugs. The woven carpet is rolled around the lower spool.

The Tools

The knife is used to cut the threads of the knots. The comb is used to cram the woof threads against the knots. The scissors are used to arase the velours.

The Materials

Wool and silk are used for the velours. The quality of the wool depends of its region of origin, and the area where it is cut from the sheep. Its washing is really important.
In some regions, a thread of silk is mixed with the wool, which gives a luxury aspect to the rug.
In some rare cases, the velours is made of silk.
The cotton is used for warp and woof, since it is stronger than wool.

The coloring

The dying is very complicated. First the wool is plunged in alun. Then, for a shorter or longer period, in a coloring bath. Then, it is dried in the sun. Some nomadic tribes still use natural colors, but most of them, now, are synthetic.

The Knots

There are 2 main types of knots.
Turkbaff, a short knot used in Turkey, and in Caucasus. The wool thread is wrapped around 2 warps threads.
Farshaff or persian knot is used in Persia. the knot spires around 2 warp threads.

The Great Origins

TURKEY
Many areas pruduce rugs: Anatolia ( nomadic rugs of Yuruks, Yahyalis, Moudjours, Kir Chehirs) They are quite primitive, and always small. Ghiordes, which are among the best. Even the recent ones still show the traditional patterns of prayer rugs. Sivas, Ouchak, Smyrne, Kayseri, Isparta, Koula, Ladik, Melas, Pergame.

CAUCASUS
The production is as important as varied. Among the best: Daghestan with its pattern of narrow oblique lanes. Karabagh, with a linear pattern, Chirvan with a very varied pattern. Soumak.

PERSIA
It is impossible to give here all the places of origin. The most popular are: Afchar, Chiraz, Nain, Tabriz, Seneeh, Koum, Kachan.

TURKESTAN AND AFGHANISTAN
Afghan, Beloutch, Bechir, Boukhara, are the most popular.

CHINA
Samarkand has a very beautiful design. They are always long and narrow. And the middle is often decorated with circular patterns.

 

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