To understand exactly what you are getting for your money, you need to be able to differentiate the imitation from the real. In the purest sense, oriental rugs are hand woven in countries such as China, India, Turkey and Iran, to name a few. The genuine rugs are woven from the natural fabrics of wool, silk and cotton. High quality rugs can last for generations and often become family heirlooms.
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.
In the early years artisans were limited to the color choices of natural dyes. With the advent of synthetic dyes there are numerous colors available. The greater color selection allows for more intricate designs. Color choice is one of the advantages of the newer products.
Once the yarn is created, the next step is to use a loom to construct the fabric of the rug. There are vertical looms and horizontal looms. The vertical looms allow for flexibility in the size of the finished product as one section can be moved to the back of a loom allowing the size to expand. Horizontal looms limit the size of the rug to the beam length.
An Oriental rug may cost thousands of dollars or only a few hundred dollars. The very low price range is an indication that the product is of a lesser quality. The fabric may be synthetic, which is not true to the art form. The dye may be poor quality that easily fades with exposure to the light. The weave may not be as tight or expertly crafted. The cheaper rug can be a lovely design addition to your home, but it is not likely to become a family heirloom.
A collector will want an oriental rug that is authentic to the history of the art form. A family with pets or small children may prefer the practical synthetic versions that are easier to clean and less expensive. In either case, the rug will bring beauty to any room.
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.
In the early years artisans were limited to the color choices of natural dyes. With the advent of synthetic dyes there are numerous colors available. The greater color selection allows for more intricate designs. Color choice is one of the advantages of the newer products.
Once the yarn is created, the next step is to use a loom to construct the fabric of the rug. There are vertical looms and horizontal looms. The vertical looms allow for flexibility in the size of the finished product as one section can be moved to the back of a loom allowing the size to expand. Horizontal looms limit the size of the rug to the beam length.
An Oriental rug may cost thousands of dollars or only a few hundred dollars. The very low price range is an indication that the product is of a lesser quality. The fabric may be synthetic, which is not true to the art form. The dye may be poor quality that easily fades with exposure to the light. The weave may not be as tight or expertly crafted. The cheaper rug can be a lovely design addition to your home, but it is not likely to become a family heirloom.
A collector will want an oriental rug that is authentic to the history of the art form. A family with pets or small children may prefer the practical synthetic versions that are easier to clean and less expensive. In either case, the rug will bring beauty to any room.
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