oriental rug produced in different countries

Oriental rugs made in different countries

Persian hand-made carpets
Despite many presumptions it remains unknown, when the Persian carpet emerged. The first knotted carpets, discovered in the 4th and 5th B.C., were not of Persian origin. It can be supposed that the technique of knotting was brought to the country with the invasion of the Seljuks in the 11th century. There is also no knowledge about individual development stages until the beginning of the golden period in the 16th century. From miniature painters we know how beautiful the carpets of this period were. It can be supposed that the great creations, generated in the time of the Saffavid Dynasty The Saffavids not only founded a new multinational state, but also began with the founding of famous court manufactories in Isfahan, Tabriz, Kerman, and Kashan. During the end of the 17th century, and even more so in the 18th century, symptoms of decline became evident affecting the entire art and culture of Persia. The political weakening of the country at the end of the Saffavid Dynasty and the Afghan occupation (1721 - 1722) were causal for the symptoms of the decline.
The feeble style of the products of the 18th century mirrors a period of continuous wars. The growing demand in the Occident led to a perceptible boost in the 19th century. Especially the carpet dealers in the Basars of Tabriz carried on a thriving export business with Europe. Numerous carpet shops were established, operated by English firms (Ziegler 1883), German and American enterprises. Especially the “Ziegler carpet” received an unbelievable renaissance at this time. Persian rugs share honors with Chinese porcelain as the two greatest Asian contributions to gracious living in Europe and the America. The major modern-day weaving areas in Persia are Tabriz, Kashan, Mashed, Kerman and Hamadan. High quality rugs are generally produced in Isfahan, Nain, Qum, Bijar and Tabriz.
Isfahan:"Isfahan is half the world" or so the Old Persian saying would have us believe. For centuries Isfahan rugs have been treasured both in the East and in Europe and America. Isfahan experienced its Golden Age in the seventeenth century when Shah Abbas, who was the king of Persia at that time, declared it the nation's capital. The finest carpets in the world were produced here during this period. The ancient Persian kings always had these rugs placed throughout their palaces floors, and sometimes hung on the walls like priceless paintings. Isfahan itself is a very historic city, and it is responsible for a great portion of the reputation that the Persian rug name has today. Modern-day Isfahan rugs are made from kurk wool. They are woven on a silk warp and weft. Isfahan rugs are considered the best Persian rugs in the world. Typical of Isfahan are graceful flowers and jewel-like medallions with Shah Abbas palmettes and curving leaves, all entwined with flowing tendrils and curving arabesques. There exist in the world today, many antique Isfahan rugs that cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Nain: Although Nain is not a very old rug-weaving city, it is well established and among the most valued carpet-producing centers in Iran. It has adapted most of its skills from the very ancient and neighboring city of Isfahan. Among the finest carpets in the world the Nain name alone sells this rug. The city of Nain is located in central Iran about 60 miles east of the enchanted city of Isfahan. These rugs mainly use a perfect ratio of silk and wool.
Qum: Qum is famous for making the best silk Persian rugs. Qum rugs are among the finest handmade carpets in the world. The quality of an authentic Qum rug is extraordinary; therefore, prices tend to be much higher than those made elsewhere (with the exception of Isfahan, Nain, Tabriz and a few other fine rug producing centers in Iran).
Bijar: Bijar rugs are also called "Iron rugs of Persia." Perhaps the toughest and most durable rug on the face of the earth, the Bidjar does more than just look pretty. These hand-woven Persian rugs are made by Kurdish people in Northwestern Iran in the town of Bidjar. Bijar rugs are highly esteemed for their pile thickness, structural strength, and great weight. They are often imitated but never duplicated because no other region uses the wet loom technique that the particular makers of this rug use. The wet loom technique is constantly keeping the wool, warp, and weft wet during the long process of weaving, so the materials temporarily shrink to allow tighter weaving, and then expand when the rug is complete and dry to make the piece very dense and strong. Because of their incredible durability, these rugs are ideal for high traffic areas such as a main foyer or kitchen, but they also look astounding in a living or dining room.
Tabriz: Tabriz rugs are among the most beautiful and legendary Persian carpets ever built. Tabriz is an ancient city in North Western Iran and it is probably responsible for producing the largest percentage of all Persian rugs. There can be many different unique designs but most of the time the pattern in a Tabriz rug is filled with dense floral motifs, with large palmettes, vases, foliage, and small flowers and garden elements scattered with wild profusion. The quality is exceptional in Tabriz made carpets. Many colors can be seen, such as burgundy, red, and ivory and different creams, baby or navy blue, tan, or green. There can be rugs of this type with a medallion, and geometric designs are also seen sometimes. Tabriz has sub-styles as well. The Mahi is probably one of the most elegant rug designs in the world. It consists of very small intricate fish like elements scattered neatly throughout the many borders and medallions of the carpet. The colors are usually dark and silk is often used in conjunction with the wool to accentuate the highlights of the rug. The city of Tabriz is eminent around the world because of its incredibly rich history.
Turkish hand-made carpets
Handmade carpets were possibly brought by the Seljuk people to Asia Minor. When the Venetian merchant, Marco Polo, came to the former capital, the city of Konya, in the year 1283, he wrote, that there he found the most beautiful and exquisite carpets of the world.
With the support of the Ottoman sultans, who at this time already greatly appreciated art, the first court manufactories were founded. From the 14th to the 17th century the most precious court carpets were then made. These are still used as models by many weavers until today. The so-called “Holbein carpets“, repeatedly portrayed in his paintings, are from this period. Great collections of the Ushak carpets and Lotto carpets dated from the 16th and 18th century, as well as the Siebenbürge carpets. In the following century products from Turkey were at the top of world trade, and Smyrna became the epitome for the Oriental carpet. As in other countries of origin, various kinds of carpets are produced in Turkey, from the robust carpet made by the nomads, to the rural products of Anatolian farmers, up to the finest manufactured carpets of sheer silk. Among the finest works in knotting next to the manufacture carpets from Hereke are the carpets from Panderma, Istanbul, Kayseri, and Sivas. They all enjoy traditional fame. No subject book on carpets is without descriptions and pictures of antique carpets from Ushak, Kula, Smyrna, Bergamo, Milas, Ghiordes, Konya, and Ladik. As of today carpets are still made using handed down patterns
Since many generations the nomads of Anatolia make colorful, small Yürük carpets. Yürük means wandering shepherd and is used as generic term for all carpets of this genre. The Anatolien Kurd carpets are also the products of nomads. They are darker and more restrained in their coloring though. The high pile is typical. Here the carpets are mostly used for protection from the cold. The important provinces are arranged by alphabet and can be found on the map.
Caucasus hand-made rugs
Arabic historians and travelers from the 8th to the 13th century have left numerous reports about Caucasian carpets, and it seems clear, that the art of weaving must be the most ancient in this rough region. Historically and ethnically the Caucasus with its almost 350 tribes and circa 150 dialects presents a very interesting region. Even though in this melting pot of culture various ethnic groups live together, certain stylistic uniformity in their products remains.
It is assumed, that the Turk people or the Armenians have brought the art of knotting to them. The rough mountain climate, in which healthy and durable mountain sheep deliver outstanding wool, and the isolation of the inaccessible mountain world were the ideal conditions, under which the traditional patterns could be preserved for the unusual Caucasians with their strictly ordered geometrical patterns accommodating the current spirit of the times. Exceptions to this are the now famous roses, and flower patterns of the Karabagh and Seichur, which have originated most likely due to the Francophilic inclinations of Russian officers. Predominantly knotted with the Turkish knot, the Caucasian productions impress mainly by their stark coloring and lustrous wool. Experts can also distinguish these carpets by touch.
Dense, heavy, almost shaggy rugs are knotted by these mountain people. Mainly the Kazakh and the Karabagh are counted among them. Most densely knotted are the Leshgiars from Dagestan, and with a low clip they are firm and sturdy. In the region around the Caspian Sea and in the Mogan steppe, where the climate is milder and the country side is more delightful, finer and short-clipped carpets with bright varied colors and a great pattern variety are found.
Turkmenistan hand-made rugs
Without doubt carpets were made in Turkmenistan since unknown times, even so,due to the seclusion of this region, there is no certain knowledge of carpet making before 1800.
With the mobility of the nomadic tribes, their constant migrations and reorganizations it is impossible to attempt to describe their history, especially since there are no written records available. It is known, that in the 6th century the Turcoman people of Turkmenistan came from the Altai Mountains, penetrating continuously in southern direction, until, in the 10th century, they reached the shore of the Caspian Sea. The separation of the Turcoman people into the most important, big tribes took approximately until the year 1600.
The environment of these countless tribes stretched from the Caspian Sea in the East to deep into China (Chinese Turkmenistan) and into Mongolia. The most important tribes are the Jomudes on the river Artek, the nomadic Ersari in the Bokhara region, and in the oasis of Achal and Merv the Tekke are found.The tribes of Saryk live in the country side around Merv, as also the Salors. Almost every tribe has sub-tribes with their own name. With the more then thousands of years strife between the Turcoman people it is all the more surprising, to find that their customs, their culture and their artisan ability has remained uniform, being especially expressed in the art of carpet weaving. All Turkoman tribes love red, the basic motives are always so called Güls (rose), which according to each tribe, has been adapted into various forms. Formerly these expressive carpets were exclusively made on horizontal looms, meanwhile at least the families who have become settled, use vertical looms also.
Woven utensils of all kinds accompany the Turcoman people from the cradle to the grave. The floor of their tents is decorated with the large main carpet. Kibitka braids adorn the walls and as an entry covering the Engsi is found. Pouches of all sizes along the tent walls take the place of furniture. In these Tshowals clothes and supplies are stored and can remain there during their migration. Smaller pouches, so-called Torba‘s complement the assortment. On special occasions horses and camels are decorated with carpets and plaids, saddle bags, called Eyerlik, and these are next to the camel pack bags, the Churdji, or the head dress. Osmolduk is important utensil of the nomad tribes. Special meaning has the Namazlik the prayer rug. Generally the Turkmenistan carpet can be divided into three groups: in the first and finest group are the Tekke, also called Bokhara, the Achal-Tekke and the Pendeh. This group includes approximately 3/4 of all carpets produced in Turkmenistan. As a rule, they are decorated with Bokhara or Salor-Gül.
Afghanistan hand-made carpets
The geographical term Afghanistan does not at all concur with the name of the carpet. The majority of the so-called Afghan carpets“are made by the Turkoman tribes, the Ersari, Saryk, Salor, Tekke, and their sub-tribes. Several of these nomad tribes populate the north and northwest of Afghanistan, though the majority lives in Turkmenistan and Usbekistan, and even in the outer northeast corner of Iran. All of them make the same kind of carpet - the Afghan. But in the remaining areas of Afghanistan carpets are also produced, for example in Daulatabad, Karkinin, and other places. In part the different descriptions name the province of origin, but sometimes the name stands for the motif, or for a certain quality.
Afghan carpets are mostly of a dark, heavy red. In the center are big octagons, so called Güls (=rose), which sometimes can have a diameter of up to 30 cm. Mostly they are knotted in a Turkish knot, only a few manufactory products, for example from Daulatabad or Mazari-i-Sharif, show a Persian knot. Overall in this country the horizontal loom is used.
Indian hand-made carpets
In the humid climate of this multinational state, carpets did not play an important role at first. In the 16th century the Mogul rulers, who were very fond of Persian art, brought in famous weaving craftsmen from Persia, to be in charge of their newly founded court manufactories. Magnificent carpets for the imperial palaces were created. Only later a particular Indian style developed.
In1600s an increase in production was caused by the English, who became by and by the rulers in India. By the hostile take-over through the British crown in the 19th century the final unification of the torn country was made possible. The grand Indian Empire, the cradle of the 3 great world religions, the Hinduism, Buddhism,and Sikhism, later broke apart into Pakistan, India Sikhism, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Burma.
In Germany the Indian carpet played only a minor role up until the middle of 1950s. In the surge of the postwar Wirtschaftwunder a reasonably priced fashion article was created with the Indo-Hamadan, which became a convincing success. In the entire country of India new weaving manufactories were established. The scope of products was increased; the Persian carpet was copied and put on the global market in uncounted variations.
Four main centers with very differing products must be mentioned: Kashmir, Djaipur, Agra, and Benares.
Kashmir, most likely the oldest of the weaving areas - today produces finest carpets in the Persian style, made of wool, but often also of artificial or natural silk. The capital Srinagar is the collecting and trading point for the attractive products.
Jaipur, the former residence of powerful maharadjahs, has a long tradition of artisans and make especially delicate wool carpets. The province with the most important production of wool, has so made a name for itself Jaipur
Agra, with the most beautiful building of the world, the Tadj Mahal, is also a capital of modern carpet production. The East India Carpet Company made die Indian Sarough acceptable and founded the newer knotting tradition.
Benares, at the Ganges River, known as holy city to the Hindu pilgrims, is located in the largest knotting area of India. Three cities: Bhadhoi, Khamaria, and Mirzapur have manufactories that produce carpets of exceptional quality for worldwide export.
In Indian productions, the carpets are always dealt in foot measures and the density of knots is determined by inch. Conversion formulae can be found in the chapter “Mark of Quality and Conversion”.
Indian carpets profited enormously by the American embargo against the Iran. Their copies of Persian carpets were attractive in their composition, satisfactory in quality, and acceptable in price. India was first to recognize the great demand for “uniform goods“. Patterns, sizes, and qualities were standardized and catalogued. Due to this, new forms of marketing were made possible. Not only the traditional carpet dealers, who as experts until then sold precious individual pieces as work of art, determined the market, but also increasingly the department stores and furniture shops. Big marketing campaigns of similar carpets made enormous turnovers possible, therefore reaching new target groups.
Pakistan hand-made carpets
In the time of the Mogul rulers, in the 16th/17th century, Lahore was already a centre of the weaving art. Persian master craftsmen helped the manufactories to great fame. Mostly it was Moslem weavers, which came from the bordering countries, Afghanistan, Iran, or from Kashmir, bringing their designs with them.
After the separation of the country, mainly due to religious reasons, the country won its independence from the British Empire in 1947. A renaissance of the knotted carpet is last but not at least due to the Moslem weavers who came into the country after the division. Today Pakistan carpet productions are an important commercial factor. The carpets are made in family workshops as well as in manufactories, and the rural people still play a big role in this industry.
Pakistan and India share 400 year history of carpet-weaving. In 1947 the British granted independence to the Indian subcontinent and Pakistan was created from the northwest areas of India. The major factor in the partitioning was religion, Pakistan being Moslem and India being Hindu. After the partition, many Moslem weavers moved from India to Lahore and other parts of Pakistan. These weavers were the foundation of the rug-weaving industry of the new country of Pakistan. Turcoman designs are frequently used in Pakistan rugs. Modern weaving center are Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar.
Nepalese hand-made carpets
The highland of Tibet is the actual home of the so-called Nepal carpets. When Tibet was declared “Autonomic Territory of the Peoples Republic of China“ in 1959, not only their worldly leader, the Dalai Lama, but also many Tibetans fled the country to the neighboring countries. At that time the International Red Cross and the Swiss government started an aid programme, allowing Tibetan refugees to do in their new home. That was the start of the carpet production in the Kingdom of Nepal. At the beginning the designs and coolers of the old originals had to be adapted to contemporary tastes. The sparing design and the coloring in pastel shades met the taste of the customers. Young people were noticeably enthusiastic about this modern style Oriental carpet.
New designs and collections continued to come out. Customer designed patterns were converted with the help of computers and then produced. With the use of silk, new textures were created. Numerous catalogues were published, giving the Nepal an exceptional popularity.