Thursday, November 12, 2015

Oriental Rugs Are For Informed Consumers

By Mattie Knight


Collectors who value the authentic product will restrict their collection to hand made products made of only the traditional natural fibers, wool, cotton and silk. True aficionados of oriental rugs appreciate the time honored traditions that were the genesis of this art form. There are cheap imitations, but they will not last for generations to come and are not acceptable to collectors.

These fibers were chosen for their ability to hold various colors of dye. The rugs typically have vibrant, intricate designs that require a range of colors to produce. Some of the earliest rugs produced date back as far as 400 B. C. These are works of art that are carefully preserved and displayed in museums or homes of wealthy people. However, the age speaks to the longevity of the heavy textiles.

Wool is readily available, currently and in the past. For centuries it has been used to create these beautiful works of art. The fabric is strong, which contributes to the durability of the rug. Cotton has generally been used to form the foundation for the rug. The most expensive rugs are made from silk. These are exceptionally beautiful, but not as durable to foot traffic as wool. Silk rugs are often used as wall hangings to protect them from daily use.

Everything was done by hand in the early years for the simple reason that machines had not been invented yet. A spinning wheel would spin the natural fibers into yarn. In time, the spinning machine was invented, which shortened the production time significantly and made the product less costly. However, spinning wheels are used to this day to create hand woven works of art.

Before synthetic dyes were invented, the artisans were restricted to color choices that occurred in natural products. Now with synthetic dyes the color palette is virtually unlimited. This allows for designs that are even more intricate. The weaver uses colors much like an artist uses paints to create his or her own vision.

The spinning of yarn is only the first step. Next the yarn is woven onto a loom to create the rug. Some looms are horizontal, while others are vertical. Smaller works are created on the horizontal looms which limit the size of a rug the the length of the loom. Thankfully, vertical looms allow versatility in the size of a rug, as completed sections can be moved to make room for continued weaving.

There is a broad price range available. A family can go to the nearby department store and purchase a rug for a few hundred dollars to place in their living room. The highest quality rugs are typically sold in specialty stores and may cost several thousands of dollars. The lower priced products are not of the same quality as their more expensive counterparts. Your choice will be dictated in part to your budget and in part to how you intend to use the rug.

A collector purchasing an oriental rug will have a much different perspective from someone who merely appreciates the beauty of the rug. If a rug is placed in a high traffic area it may be subject to the damages of daily wear and tear. A collector will want to keep the rug in pristine condition. For both types of consumers, an oriental rug will be a beautiful addition to any decor.




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