Area Rugs Blog

The Poot - Director(s): Elham Asadi Producer(s): Shahryar Jahangiri Editor(s): Kamyar Minoukadeh Cinematographer(s): Iman Tahsin Release Year: 2009

Winner of Full Frame Documentary Film Festival

Here is a treat for admirer of Persian rugs. Elham Assadi’s award wining documentary is a beautifully crafted tribute to ancient Iranian tradition of carpet weaving. The Poot documents the details and precision that goes into each hand-loomed creation. It received the Full Frame Jury Award for Best Short, in the city of Durham.
Here is what Full Frame Documentary Film Festival’s website says about this 42 minute documentary: “In this pure visual treat, stunning cinematography and an ambient sound-scape come together to celebrate handmade work in an age of mass-production.”

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Posted on April 13th, 2010 under Area Rugs, In the News. Tags: carpet documentary, persian carpet, persian rugs, rugs. Comments: 2

SAFAVIEH RUGS, PAST AND PRESENT

Safavieh is that singular transition from middle Asia to the New Land that can be compared to any major new cultural discovery. People in both the old and the new world had always been aware of Persian rugs as things that the common man could only dream of while the extremely rich could afford to step on with consummate negligence. But there was a gap - created mainly by lack of means – that also did not bring the middle Asian land closer to the common occidental man, and things of luxuries from these lands remained just that – luxuries; until the arrival of manufacturers like Safavieh Rugs with their exquisite and authentic rug creations.

In the last 30 some years, the Safavieh Rugs has won award after award for its exquisite area rug collections.

Safavieh was a great name even in the land of the carpet masters; established in 1914 in the capital of Persian rug manufacturing, the company quickly became a famous brand in that land of famed area rug brands. In 1978, after two generations of slow and steady goodwill hunting, it was time to expand to larger shores, and the family decided to move business to the United States.

In those days in New York City, there were few authentic Oriental rug manufacturers. There were, of course, indigenous American rugs that were mostly machine made in Axminster, and though these were good, they did not have that ethnic touch that only a master from Persia could create. Safavieh opened up its factory in the city and decided to give the American area rug market just that cost effective but authentic Persian touch it needed to come of age.

Shah Ismail I, the founder of Safavid (Safavieh) dynasty.

In the last 30 some years, the Safavieh brand has won award after award for its exquisite area rug collections, and has taken the area rug market by storm by regularly bringing out imperishable designs and works of art in some of the finest collections of area rugs ever designed by any single manufacturer. Its area rugs collections range from antiques and reproductions of original classics to the most modern and contemporary outlooks. Safavieh designs a wide range of transitional and accent rugs of both Oriental and contemporary designs: wool, hand-tufted Classics, Shaw Hampton and Soho contemporaries that are of beguiling design and taste. Safavieh also produces a variety of rug designs from American Country styles and 19th and early 20th Century European Art, as well as high end imitations of tribal rugs from middle Americas. At any time, Safavieh has over 450 designs in 8 different styles and sizes that are ready to be shipped to any continental customer- hooked, tufted, Gabeh, flat weave, Tibetan, hand knotted vegetable dyes and silk and wool rugs of breathtaking variety and beautiful design.

The rug collections of Safavieh range from the “A” of Agra to the “Z” of Ziegler Mahal. There are the traditional rug collections from Aspen, Ancient weave, Dynasty, Empire and others, that remind the connoisseur of age old middle eastern themes and other equally hoary themes from Europe. Then there are the contemporary area rugs – Berkeley, Bohemian, Chelsea, Manhattan and Wilton, those that have that strangely modern mixture of abstractionism and impressionism that creates an avante garde look and appearance in both the area rug and its setting. Finally there is the transitional – Anatolia, Bergama, Ganges River, Jewels of India and Marrakech – that, as the name implies, provides a smooth transition from the ancient to the modern.

All these rugs are manufactured in one of the many available processes – hand knotted, hand hooked, hand tufted, hand woven, machine made and shag rugs. Each of these processes has its own typical texture and style that differs considerably from its brethren. Yet all these various construction types and styles coalesce together to form the brand of Safavieh area rugs that is commonly bound by the threads of exquisite attention to detail and ethnic authenticity.

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Posted on March 11th, 2009 under Area Rugs, Safavieh. Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, Chelsea, Oriental Rug, persian rugs, rugs, Safavieh Area Rugs, Safavieh Rugs, Tibetan. Comments: 2

A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDIA’S CARPET INDUSTRY

The Persian architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal. India's carpet weaving initially also started in the Persian tradition and design. Gradually it blended with the Mongol as well as Indian art.

Indian carpets are considered to be one of the most traditional and technically accomplished. The carpet industry of India has grown with time and has gradually reached its height of fame, such that Indian rugs are renowned for their exquisite design, elegant craftsmanship, beautiful designs and impressive color matching.

Area rugs were known to be weaved in India since 500B.C. and woven mats and floor coverings have been found from the ancient times of Indian civilization.

But the real carpet industry of India started in 1500 A.D. during the reign of Akbar.  During this period, he brought Persian craftsmen from their homeland and established them here. Initially carpet weaving started in the Persian tradition and design. Gradually it blended with the mughal as well as Indian art. Thus the carpets produced at that time became typical of the Indian origin and gradually the industry began to diversify and spread all over the subcontinent.

From the beginning, silk has been the basic material to produce area rugs. The type of silk depended on the quality of the carpet produced. The silk carpets had floral patterns, animal or bird figures.

The are rugs produced during Akbar’s reign were generally made of cotton and silk, and used shades of blue, green and several other colors on a red base. The carpets were initially made according to the Persian style but later adopted the Indian style.

The are rugs produced during the reign of Jahangir were more subtle and refined in make and design. The materials used were silk or pashmina that allowed more knots to be tied t the base of the carpet. Therefore minute and detailed designs could be incorporated. The designs were more detailed and fine. Minute figures, flowering patterns and manuscript paintings were created on the carpets.

During Shah Jahan’s reign (1628-58) the art of carpet-manufacture had reached its greatest heights. Warps of fine silk yarns allowed about 2,000 knots per square inch. Silk or pashmina piles gave the area rugs velvet like texture. Yarn shading was made more sophisticated. Flowers were now the primary elements of design.

Again during the reign of Aurangzeb the art and craft industry of India faced a downfall.
But the industry of area rug weaving sustained primarily because carpets were required for religious purpose. But the carpet industry did not see any development during this era. The same materials, designs and colors were used as that of the reign of Shah jahan.

The area rug industry of India survived even after the downfall of the Mughal Empire. Kashmir is now the pioneer of carpet industry of India. The History of the Kashmir carpets dates back to the early fifteenth century. According to the history of Kashmir, King Zain-ul-Abedin brought master carpet weavers from Persia to train the local craftsmen of the Kashmir valley, who already were master weavers of famous Kashmir textile. He introduced the assembly line system for weaving, clipping and washing of Kashmiri carpets in the 15th century. Because of his personal interest in the development of this industry in Kashmir the area rug industry flourished during his reign.
The industry suffered badly after this period and it rejuvenated during the time of the Mughal. In the mid 18th century the Dogras ruled Kashmir. Maharaja Ranbir Singh, the ruler of this period, showed interest in the development of carpet industry in Kashmir. During this period there was a huge development in terms of quality and production. The kashmiri carpets became valuable gifts from one King to another and have been found in almost all the palaces of India and Central Asia..
In the early 19th century, the kashmir area rugs saw the light of the international market, and was considered among the world’s best carpet weaving regions. European companies like The East India Co. took an interest in the carpet industry and established factories there. Thus the process of export began and continues to this day.
It is the color of the Kashmiri carpet that helps distinguish it from others. The colors of Kashmiri carpets are subtler and have low profile. They do not stand out in bright shades. The yarn is dyed using vegetable colors or any other forms of natural colors. The yarn is either silk, cotton or a combination of both. Cotton carpets are more common. Silk carpets always have a cotton base. Cotton carpets are more common and affordable than the silk though silk always forms the cream of the industry.
Just like Persian area rugs, the knotting determines the durability and the number of knots determines the price of the carpet. Other noteworthy aspects include color and design. The Indian area rugs can be double knotted or single knotted. The single knotted carpet is fluffier and softer than the double knotted.
The general characteristics that are seen in the Indian carpets that make them so special are their aristocratic design, unique patterns, refined and high quality materials, subtle color combinations, all these features make them stand out in the world of carpets. The durability of high quality Indian carpets can be similar to that of the Persian carpets, after all it was the skillful Persian carpet weavers who showed Indians how to make rugs. This feature makes the Indian carpet almost as valuable as Persian carpets and considered as assets and life long investments to many people.

Hope you enjoyed reading this article/blog!

Shaswato

(Shaswato is an avid admirer of area rugs living in Calcutta, India and wrote this piece exculsively for Area Rugs Club)

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Posted on March 6th, 2009 under Area Rugs. Tags: Area Rugs, Indian Carpets, Indian Rugs, persian rugs, rugs. Comments: 1

Rug washers standing barelegged in the spring-fed pool near Tehran, Iran 1951 (courtesy of LIFE Magazine)

Area rugs and carpets have been primarily the craft of Asian countries. Persia, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan as well as China and Nepal simultaneously contributed to the art of carpet and rug weaving. In the latter period i.e. in the early twentieth centuries the USA also started contributing to this particular industry and Karastan Rugs put USA on the map of rug-making world..

Persia now known as Iran is the homeland of area rug weaving and the history of carpets date back to the early 14th century. The economic history of carpet weaving is traced to the model of a traditional family business, often a craft of women and a source of part time income to families. The “Momeni Rugs” family that has been in the business of carpet manufacturing and exports for over half the century used the same model. Presently based in USA, the business was started by the Momeni family after the World War when they exported area rugs from Persia. But these days very few families are in this business in production and manufacturing of carpets, unlike the days of yore. Generally the carpet factories employ individual women as workers, and are corporate run businesses these days.

Rudolph Condon (L) and Artist, Andre W. Wyeth showing hooked rugs. 1956 (courtesy of LIFE Magazine)

Export of Persian area rugs began in the sixteenth century. 1850 onwards American, English and German companies established new factories in Mashed, Tabriz, Kerman, and Sultanabad (now Arak), thereby leading to the steady growth of the industry. Under Reza Shah Pahlavi, factories were established to utilize the finest materials and methods of manufacture. Presently carpet industry is the major non oil export sector of Iran.

Iranian women have been into the business of area rug weaving. From the early centuries till date carpet industry has been a major source of income for the families of Iran. Earlier when the Persian carpets used to be exported all over the world, the economic condition of Iran was in a better state. But from the late 1970’s the political and social problems of Iran created a negative impact on the export market. Finally the USA government stopped the export, which led to a huge economic crisis in Iran. Presently Iran is seeing better days and with an order to make the world’s largest carpet till date, one can hope that the carpet industry and also the workers will revive.

Women learn the art of hand hooking a rug. 1951 (courtesy of LIFE Magazine)

Most of the hand knotted area rugs are woven at home and are done by the women of the family. In most cases this is considered as a supporting income while the male member of the family is the principal earning member. But there are also families where carpet weaving is the principal source of income. Generally the wages of the carpet weavers is very low compared to their work load. Their daily wages can never be calculated as they work on a contract basis and the time taken to weave a carpet can never be estimated as they all work from home. Many of the women in Iran’s villages support their families by weaving area rugs.

In Afghanistan, approximately 30% of the women are into the business of area rug weaving. They learn the Persian style of weaving and produce carpets of silk and wool bearing designs of the traditional Persian styles.

India had been into the business of carpet weaving from the 1500 A.D. But export of Indian carpets began in the nineteenth century during the reign of the East India Company. From then carpet industry has been one of the leading sources of income for Kashmir Valley which houses the carpet industry of India.

Pakistan also holds a significant place in the area rug and carpet industry. Carpets from Peshawar have captivated the international market since 1970. Carpet making has been one of the basics sources of income of Pakistan.
Though the carpet industry had faced a major back log due to socio-political reasons, presently it has been trying to revive and gain back its lost glory.

Setter working at rug making machines in Alexander Smith Carpet mill. (courtesy of LIFE Magazine)

The carpet industry in USA emerged in the eighteenth century. Initially skilled weavers produced woolen hand loom carpets of a very high quality. But due to political reasons the import of raw materials were interrupted, which gradually led to the downfall of this industry. Later when the use of carpets became extensive, the political situations also improved and during the nineteenth century the USA carpet mills increased to 220.

A man named Alexander Smith started his own carpet manufacturing plant in 1845 in West Farms, New York. Halcyon Skinner, An American, had perfected the power loom for making Royal Axminster in 1876. These men joined forces, forming a very successful carpet company. Alexander Smith was elected to Congress in 1878, but died on the evening of Election Day. Sixteen hundred people were employed at his factory at the time of his death. Alexander Smith & Sons continued to exist and During World War I, the carpet looms were converted to make tent duck and navy blankets to support the country in war time. By 1929 Alexander Smith & Sons was the largest manufacturer of rugs and carpets in the world.

The area rug industry is dominated by women workers. As men work outdoors to earn money and support the families, the women weave carpets sitting back at theire houses thus providing an additional income to the family. Girls in many countries from the age of ten to twelve years start working in the carpet industry, thus supporting their families.

Rug Hooking Bee - Woman hand hooking a rug. (courtesy of LIFE Magazine)

Carpets can be accounted for as the most lucrative investment in many third world countries. The carpet industry pays very low wages to the workers and these magnificent creations are sold at a quite high price which gives a huge margin. Also buying a carpet and maintaining it in a very good condition for around sixty to seventy years can provide a huge profit. Thus carpets can be treasured as very good investment.

Various countries across the world house the carpet industry. In every region, the dimension  of the industry depends on its quantity of its carpet exports, type of fabrics used, availability of skilled weavers, presence of weaving techniques since ages, types of carpets produced etc. Every nation has a different style, preference, pattern, quality and colors which makes the carpets manufactured to stand out as unique. The history of carpets has revealed that this industry has been a major economic back bone of many countries. One can only expect that production of magnificent rugs and carpets will continue for years to come.

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Posted on November 25th, 2008 under Area Rugs. Tags: Area Rugs, Carpet, Hand Hooked, Hand Knotted, Persian Area Rugs, Persian Carpets, persian rugs, rugs, Silk, Women, wool. Comments: 8

These days, you cannot buy an area rug from a reputable seller without being offered free shipping; the two go hand in hand. It is always nice to know that companies care about not only the selling part but also the safe and trouble free shipping of your precious area rug. With the area rug industry growing with leaps and bounds, the aim shifts from only selling the product to creating a new bond between the company and it’s valued customer, you. Free shipping is one of the most important values that can be added to the selling of a product. Customers love it, and when it comes to be a matter of choice, they will always go for that area rug which comes with free shipping.

AreaRugsClub.com offers free shipping and no tax!

Speaking of area rugs, the limits to your choice are endless. From the representation of your whimsical desire to pure class and elegance, the area rug of today provides for all of that with little or rather no difficulty at all. With the shattering of the barrier between the machine woven area rug and the handmade, the diversification in terms of quality, style and design is wondrous. And, the best part is that you don’t have to pay a single cent to ship it to anywhere you want. They have not started fedexing to moon at the time of this writing, but if there were people up there, and they were buying area rugs, I wouldn’t be surprised if these dealers offered free shipping. In today’s competitive market, that is, to reiterate, one of the best values that a seller can add to that splendid rug for your home décor.

Do not be under the impression that you have to spend a lot of money in order to elevate the mood of your home to a new exquisite height. An area rug does the job with acute precision. Brands like the famous Karastan sell affordable area rugs that will simply blow your mind. Though Karastan manufactures machine made rugs; don’t get fooled with that, because when placed beside a handmade rug, even the experts have doubts deciding which one is the machine-made one and which the handmade. To create something like this, a complete mimicry of human artwork, this is sheer mechanical excellence. It is not though that Karastan makes only machine made area rugs, as they import a lot of Persian rugs and Indian ones. Whether handmade or machine woven, one general assurance that the brand provides you is the guarantee of the quality of the wool, which is used to manufacture the rugs. Karastan uses wool of the highest quality to make their wonder rugs. This is a guarantee that has been there since 1928 and they intend to keep it that way, with no compromises on this one, ever.

Discount rugs are available from most dealers and you’d be amazed to see the level of quality you can get even when there is the discount tag attached to it. The discount is not because the rugs are bad but rather it is the celebration of the goodwill of the various companies as they are out to provide the customer satisfaction and in return, the inception of a life long relationship between them. The free shipping policy plays a pivotal role in developing this relationship.

Choice of material is never a matter of constraint. So what if you don’t like wool? There’s so much to choose from. New materials and fibers are being introduced constantly, in an effort to provide you the best possible option that you can have for your home. For example, manufacturers are using nylon in ways that you can’t imagine. It won’t even feel like nylon to you. Some may say that this is overworking the methods of rug making but on the contrary, it is the evidence of the untiring dedication of the manufacturers to furnish the maximum possible choices for you. They are very well aware of the fact that your home is important to you and it is important that you get an exhaustive range of options from which you can find the perfect one for your home.

Rugs and home; the former complements the latter and becomes the pride of any home owner for whom the look and feel of his or her home matters. This relationship has its own history and the variety of rugs that are found all across the globe are a testament to it. The Persians made their rugs a whole aspect of their identity and so did many other cultures. The explanation is simple, because rugs can define one’s home, add that essential warmth and color to any part of your home. This wonderful property of the area rug makes it the pride of any room and of course, your home. Use a rug to change your home and the way you will remember your home when days have passed across the landscape of time. A rug adds to the perfect home and takes the not so perfect home to the pedestal of perfection. If you own a good rug from a reputable collection, your satisfaction, so far as making your home a more livable place is concerned, is guaranteed.

So stop looking for expensive ways to achieve your goal of beautifying your home, and go buy an area rug. You’ll most definitely end up saying, “why didn’t I try this before?”

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Posted on August 22nd, 2008 under Area Rugs, Karastan. Tags: area rug, Area Rugs, discount rugs, free delivery, free shipping, handmade, home decor, Karastan, karastan area rugs, karastan rugs, machinemade, persian rugs, rug, rug and home, rugs, wool, wool rug, wool rugs. Comments: 4