Month: December 2014

Carpets From India

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Interlaced Intricacies

We’ve been through the materials and knots and weaves of carpets from India, but if we dig just a little deeper then we enter a portal to another land – a land filled with magical patterns and arabesques and twirling motifs that come alive and tell stories of the times when the carpets were first made.

Thematically, the patterns and symbols can be broken into three broad types – geometric, vegetal and architectural. The earliest evidence of carpets are seen during the Safavid and Ottomon Dynasties, where they were gifted to other kings during the signing of treaties and often decoratively carried the emblem or court of arms of the rulers. In fact these were considered so valuable that they were never placed on the floor – hung on walls or spread of furniture instead.

Hand Knotted Bukhara Rug

These royal symbols were simultaneous to the in famous ‘vase’ or ‘garden’ themed carpets, often seen in today’s carpets from India as well. These represent the vegetal section of Persian and Indian rug designs – repeat patterns derived from creepers, flowers and buds were Persian favorites while the India added to this their mythological Tree of Life; a symbol of fortune and good destiny.

The shift started with the introduction of literal floral illustrations, becoming more and more complex – resulting in lovely rosette motifs etc.

In both vegetal and geometric patterns which decorate carpets in India, the initial derivation is from illuminated manuscripts commissioned by the court.

In stark contrast to the wavy vines and simplified flowers, we have the intricate binds of straight lines and angles; triangles and holy stars. Nothing is more fascinating that the way the pieces all fit together on the surface of the carpets from India – like a room of mirrors reflected again and again a simple shape to form the complex texture kaleidoscopically.

Hand Knotted Open Kashan Rug

While Islamic artisans are known to be the ones to have mastered the skill of manipulating and using geometric patterns, the origins are proven to be from the Greeks and Romans. The interlacing, layering, combing and duplicating of simple squares and triangles has come to be an important aspect in architectural elements of the time as well.

The last, architectural, is much like the geometric carpets from India, but they tend to be more recognizable and often lack the extreme symmetrical vigor – giving way to a space and dimension as entities of image making as well.

Hand Knotted Tree of Life Silk Rugs

Besides these three there are also examples of animals and birds strategically placed as a part of patterns that cover the surface of carpets from India. Stylized lions and tigers, flamboyant birds – they all play a part in certain decorations. Interestingly they are used just like any other geometric or floral form, repeated in symmetry and formal balance.

You now know only more layer under the surface when it comes to the stories behind carpets from India, a tradition that will look great under your coffee table or hung on your wall to spruce up a room with regal elegance and astounding beauty.

Carpet Prices In India

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In today’s times, where mass production and industrial processes have taken over globalization, trade and economies of most countries, the consumerist tendencies have come a full circle – back to searching every nook and corner of the world for something natural, organic, hand-made and individualized.

Carpet Prices In India

Much like most other parts and aspects of this eclectic and culturally diverse society, carpet prices in India cannot be generalized. You could pick a carpet from a emporium, gallery or website which costs a mere $100, or one that is made with such finesse and superior wool which values itself at more than even a few thousands. If that isn’t enough, there comes the matter of age, antiquity and historical significance, all adding to the exquisiteness of said piece.

In universal terms, the simplest to make and the most easily available are the hand tufted woollen rugs. Depending on the detail of the image which the surface of woollen threads end depict, the wools quality itself, the density of the punched threads and the overall quality in terms of durability and dyes are the factors that determine the prices of these. Usually though, if you’re looking for something affordable, shaggy and soft as clouds on the souls of your feet, this is the way you should go. The downside is manageable, but as a customer you should be aware though that they aren’t nearly as long lasting has knotted or woven surfaces, plus they tend to trap dust easily and are often a slight pain to maintain and keep clean.

While carpet prices in India for hand tufted rugs is benched at a few hundred, woven carpets are a lot more time consuming and tend to utilize large amounts of material and labour. The fastening of the warps and wefts is such that it increases the density of each square inch to a very great extent – the amount of thread used in a foot of a hand tufted carpet will amount to only about a square inch of a woven one. Hence carpet prices in India for these is exponentially higher than others, increasing further as the material gets most exclusive and the designs become intricate.

Last we have hand knotted durries and carpets – the highest in value, durability, labour intensity and popularity in the market. These carpets can take a year or more to complete and are woven with immense patience; their value resides in the fact that they are knotted to form a sort of uniform fabric, almost like the even weave of a piece of cotton or silk cloth, but instead of a mechanized loom each loop and bond is done one at a time by hand.

Prices of such carpets are usually a few thousand dollars, and they are un doubtable worth it. They come with a life-time or near life-time guarantee, are truly worth every penny you pay and the surface is so tightly fastened that in terms of maintenance is can be vacuum cleaner or washed right at home. Look in the right places and you are sure to find carpet prices in India, as well as styles and designs that fit into what you are looking for.