Persian carpets
How to invest in a piece of living history...
A hand knotted Persian carpet can transform the appearance of any room, adding a touch of class unrivalled by machine-made rugs. But did you know it takes several months for one single weaver to make a small, simple prayer rug? Larger, more intricate carpets typically require the concentrated efforts of several skilled weavers - sometimes working together for more than a year. This is why the value of a hand-woven rug is often a reflection of the time, effort and skill put into a carpet's creation - as well as the quality of the materials used and the complexity of the design.
Weave A typical hand knotted pile carpet is made up of individual knots (pile) tied to an interlocking foundation of threads (warp and weft). The two most common hand knotting methods used are the Persian asymmetrical "Senneh" knot or the Turkish symmetrical "Ghiordes" knot. The ways in which the edge (selvage) and ends (fringe) of the carpet are finished are also distinguishing features.
Materials Pile materials vary, from different grades of sheep and goat wool, to silks and even camel hair. The foundation of a carpet is made of wool, silk, cotton or synthetic material. The colours used depend on the physical interaction of different types of dyes and materials, the way in which the finished product is washed and finally, the effects of aging.
The materials and designs of each carpet provide clues to its origin; they also give an indication of the heritage of the dedicated craftsman involved in its creation. Persian carpets are more than a decoration for your home. Rich in cultural diversity, offering a depth of history and an education in the stories they have to tell, a Persian carpet is a piece of living history for future generations to treasure. The Orientalist
