Oriental Rug History

Throughout history, oriental rugs have had many uses. In homes, they were used as floor coverings, wall hangings, seats of honor, and at the door as tokens of welcome. They have even been used as beds. They provide a sense of warmth, comfort, and security. Oriental rugs have also been used for religious purposes. They act as ornamentation in Egyptian temples and as alter cloths in Christian cathedrals. They also have great personal significance, being used for prayer by entire families. While acting as a form of individual expression, oriental rugs represent both the families and cities from where they originate. The East seems permeated with the tradition of the Oriental rug that has been passed down from generation to generation. All Oriental art bears the seal of hard work and fine hand made craftsmanship. However, the intricacy of the design and style of each rug comes not only from the hand, but also from the thought of the artists themselves. Each rug, inevitably, becomes an expression of the individual who makes or owns the rug. After several decades of ownership, the rug is not only a piece of furniture or decoration, but also a centerpiece of the home and life of the family. With the ability to be used for an entire lifetime, Oriental rugs take an incredible amount of skill and time to make. Often, the weavers learn the craft when they are young and little by little become proficient in the art of weaving. The process of weaving is done with primitive tools; the loom, wooden or metal combs, and a pair of shears. The weaving process seams very simple; however, much skill is needed in stretching the warp; in tying the knot, which is done entirely by hand with great skill; and in following the intricate designs, which are often carried in the mind of the weaver and handed down from generation to generation. Each weaver of the same design gives the rug his or her own personal touch making the rug a piece of art. An amazing amount of time and energy are put into the creation of each rug. The number of knots to the square inch determines the texture of the rug. Rugs like Kirmans or Sennas have up to six hundred knots per square. Coarser textured Turkish rugs may have as few as thirty knots per square inch. While a skillful weaver can tie approximately three knots per minute, a five feet by eight feet Kirman rug with four hundred knots per square inch would take a little over four years for a single weaver to finish. With this example in mind, we are able to see the infinite patience and hard work put into the creation of each rug. Different materials are used when making Oriental rugs: wool of sheep and goats, silk, camel's hair, cotton, linen and hemp. The Orient is known for its fine varieties of wool. Silk has been used from very early times in the making of rugs to give a fine texture and a luxurious pile. The wool, silk, or other materials used in the rugs are dyed before the weaving process. The secret of the fine colors of the rugs is found in the special dying techniques. Animal dyes produce brilliant scarlet colors. Vegetable dyes, most typically used, are extracted from bark, roots, blossoms, fruits, and seeds of plants. Gorgeous blues, turquoises, indigos, yellows, greens, and reds are made from berries, nuts, and barks. Organic dyes are of the best quality and extend the life of the rug considerably. Anilin and other synthetic dyes are becoming popular on a commercial basis. However, these dyes are not as permanent and brilliant as the organic dyes. In both Persia and Smyrna rigid laws forbid the use of cheap dyes like Anilin. The organic, vegetable and animal based dyes are as long lasting as the colors of a stained-glass window, which time tones down but does not impair. The designs of the Oriental rugs are fascinating stories, full of meaning and symbolism. No two rugs are ever exactly alike; little variations in color combinations give different effects even in very similar patterns. The Oriental rugs often imitate nature in design, translating the beauty and elegance of nature in their intricate patterns. Trees and vines, the rose, tulips, narcissuses, and flowers of henna are often in the designs of Oriental rugs. The palmette, a little cup with fan-shaped leaves has its origin in the sacred "tree of life." The rosette is said to resemble the star of Bethlehem. Geometric designs are also popular, while symbolic figures like crosses and triangles add to their importance and meaning. However, whatever the design contains has both meaning and value. The value of a rug is based on its dyes, age, texture, the number of knots to a square inch, the beauty and intricacy of design, the pattern and coloring, the materials, and its size. Each rug is an investment. For one family may spend several years of their lives creating the patterns, preparing the materials, and weaving the rug. For the family that purchases the rug, the investment is for a lifetime; each Oriental rug contains a classic beauty and durability that can endure over generations.