Rugs and Carpet

Fabric Styling

Guided By: Mr Debojyoti Ganguly Assistant Professor

Submitted By: Abhijit Banik Textile Design, VI, Code: BTD 302T-A3

National Institute of Fashion Technology, Bhopal

Abstract:
The craft of weaving rugs and carpets is one of the most ancient of the world. There are the references to it in the Old Testament of the Bible and even in Homers Iliad; the oldest known carpet in existence, the Pazyryk carpet found in the mountain of Siberia in probably about 2500 years old. This document carries a guide to the major rug marketing area of the world. It discusses history of the craft in all major centres of production, gives an area by area account of all the main types and also describes the carpet market, with the price ranges

Content:
Chapter Page No

1.0 2.0

Introduction Literature Review

2.1 2.2 2.3 Carpet Making Technique Knotting Carpet and its Layout

04 05

3.0

Regional Production of Rugs and Carpet

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 North America The Caucasus Turkestan China and Tibet Europe India

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4.0

Carpet Types
4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Woven Needle Felt Knotted Tufted Others Embroidery

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5.0 6.0

Contemporary Carpet and rug Market with Prices in Bhopal References

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1.0 Introduction:
The term "carpet" derives from Old Italian carpita, "carpire" meaning to pluck. The term "carpet" is used interchangeably with the term "rug." But, they are not the same thing. A carpet stretches from wall-to-wall while a rug does not. Only with the opening of trade routes in the 17th century were significant numbers of Persian rugs introduced to Western Europe. Historically the word was also used for table and wall coverings, as carpets were not commonly used on the floor in European interiors until the 18th century.

2.0 Literature Review:

The certainty of the origin of the carpets would always continue to be shrouded in mystery. However, it is definitely out of the debate that woven forms of floor coverings were present during the Neolithic Age (7000 BC). The very mysteries of how the carpet actually came into existence would always remain the same in the absence of the documentary evidence. However, according to Enza Milanesi The Little Brown Guide to Carpets there are two theories to ponder upon. The first theory says that the carpets were invented to serve the practical purpose of the rough nomadic populations. They were thickly knotted to protect the people from adverse climatic conditions. This also served the purpose of them not to give up their valuable animals for their hides. Therefore, it also fulfilled their original intention of no direct contact with the ground. It is believed that such carpets came as rudimentary forms of floor coverings what we see today. Evolved since the early times, the previous forms of the decorated tents of the nomadic lifestyle were specimens, uniquely coloured and decorated with the particular sorts of motifs and established beautification styles. In addition, they wove on the vertical loom that could be dismantled and transported easily. The advocates of the second theory pronounce that the knotted carpets did born early. However, they evolved as artistic pieces with the settled people that were artistic and utilitarian both, in function. Forming as the permanent parts of homes, they became

important during festive and traditional ceremonies, leading their way towards becoming an essential part of peoples lives. Interestingly, the knotted ones were woven on the horizontal looms, which developed from its vertical cousin. The Pazyryk Carpet was excavated from the tomb of the Shiite chief in the Pazyryk Valley in the Altai Mountains, Siberia, encased and thus, preserved in ice. It dates back to 5th century B.C. It is the oldest specimen found of the ancient weavings done in the world. Such is the refined artisanship of the carpet that it definitely confirms the overview that the carpets were woven as articles to decorate the dwellings, representing them to be more inviting. The above important archaeological excavation did lead to a fact that whatever be the actual reason behind the birth of the carpets and rugs, they serve all the intents of providing insulation from the climate along with offering beautification. Pazyryk Carpet Discovered in 1947 by S.I. Rudenko in Siberia, in the Altai Mountain-Pazyryk Valley. 100% Wool, 189 cm X 200 cm. 24 square in the centre. Inside Border Row of elk, Outside Border Procession of mounted horseman. Color Manufactured 500 BC

Fig: Pazyryk Carpet

The Ardabil carpet was completed in 1539-40 and is the world's oldest dated carpet. Named after the town of Ardabil in north-west Iran. Made in Iran between 1524 and 1576, The carpet remained in use there for more than 300 years. Measuring roughly 10.5 metres by 5 metres. Kept in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and one of the finest in the world.

Fig: Aradabil Carpet

2.1 Carpet Making Technique:

Most primitive loom for carpet production. Still used today by some Nomadic and Semi Nomadic tribes in Asia. Suitable for Nomads as the loom can be easily dismantled & transported by pack animals.

Fig: Horizontal Loom

Fig: Vertical Loom

Fig: Craftsmen working on a vertical loom

Sophisticated version of the Horizental Loom is fixed in two fixed or parallel wooden upright, into which the crossbeams are slotted. Mainly used for carpet wider than 5 ft.

2.2 Knotting:

Fig: Symmetrical Knots (Ghioreds or Turkish Knots) The yarn is looped around both the warp threads. The two ends are drawn out to protrude between the threads. Knots tied in two row of wefts. The jufti false symmetrical knots.

The yarn is wound around one warp threads and then looped behind and around the other. Knots tied in two row of wefts. The jufti false asymmetrical knot.

Fig: Asymmetrical Knots or Persian Knots The yarn is wrap around a single warp threads using alternate one bringing the two free ends of the knots to either side of the warp chains.

Fig: Single warp or Spanish knots

Fig: Fringes

2.3 Carpet and its layout

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3.0 Regional Production of Rugs and Carpet 3.1 North America

Rugs and carpets were produced Flat weavers only. Knots are not used in the carpet and rugs. Colours are varied. Primarily wool fibre used. Primarily Geometric, although curvilinear was also sometimes used. They used a broad design vocabulary

3.2 The Caucasus

Rugs, runners, prayer rugs and other weaving were produced. Plied and flat weaves are used. Turkish knot used. Colours are varied Wool fiber is generally used in Caucasus, sometimes cotton is found in eastern Caucasus. Geometric patterns are followed with decorative geometric motifs.

3.3 Turkestan
Rugs, Carpets and other weavings were produced. Mostly plied rugs and carpets very few flat weaves. Persian but the Turkish knot is sometimes found. Colours prominently red, brown, aubergine, white, blue and occasionally green. Wool and occasionally goat hair used Mainly geometric patterns are used with abstract geometric motifs arranged in rows.

3.4 China and Tibet

Both rugs and carpets were widely produced In China, while Tibet produced rugs and other small pieces, such as saddlebags. Plied weaves only used Persian knot in China, the asymmetrical loop pile in Tibet used

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Blue. Yellow, beige, and creams are common in China, with wider palate in Tibet. Wool and Cotton widely used, mostly cotton in China, wool in antique Tibetans. Geometrical and curvilinear pictorial rugs are also common. A range of Chinese, Taoist, floral and geometrical motifs, swastikas and roundel medallions.

3.5 Europe
European workshops are specialized making large room sized Carpets. Needlepoint, flat weaves applied techniques were used. No knot in flat woven pieces, otherwise Turkish, Persian knot in Beauvais, the Spanish knot in Spain. No limitation of colour. Wool and cotton mainly used, Linen used for antique example. Curvilinear designs are done. Naturalistic flower, flower bouquets and rococo designs.

3.6 India
Carpets are more common few rugs were made. Plied and flat weaves used known as durries. Persian knots used. Colours are varied mainly strong accent or deep burgundy tones used. Mainly cotton but jute also used Both curvilinear and geometric patterns are used. Somewhat Persian motifs are copied into the designs.

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4.0 Carpet Types

4.1 Woven
The carpet is produced on a loom quite similar to woven cloth. The pile can be plush or berber. Plush carpet is a cut pile and berber carpet is a loop pile. There are new styles of carpet combining the two styles called cut and loop carpeting. Normally many coloured yarns are used and this process is capable of producing intricate patterns from predetermined designs (although some limitations apply to certain weaving methods with regard to accuracy of pattern within the carpet). These carpets are usually the most expensive due to the relatively slow speed of the manufacturing process.

4.2

Needle felt

These carpets are more technologically advanced. Needle felts are produced by electrostatic attraction of individual synthetic fibres forming an extremely durable carpet. These carpets are normally found in the contract market such as hotels etc. where there is a lot of traffic.

4.3

Knotted

On a knotted pile carpet (formally, a supplementary weft cut-loop pile carpet), the structural weft threads alternate with a supplementary weft that rises at right angles to the surface of the weave. This supplementary weft is attached to the warp by one of three knot types, such as shag which was popular in the 1970s, to form the pile or nap of the carpet. Knotting by hand is most prevalent in Oriental rugs and carpets. Kashmir carpets are also hand-knotted.

4.4

Tufted

These are carpets that have their pile injected into a backing material, which is itself then bonded to a secondary backing comprising a woven hessian weave or a manmade alternative to provide stability. This is the most common method of manufacturing of domestic carpets for floor covering purposes in the world.

4.5

Others

A flat weave carpet is created by interlocking warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads. Types of oriental flat woven carpet include kilim, soumak, plain weave, and tapestry weave. Types of European flat woven carpets include Venetian, Dutch, damask, list, haircloth, and ingrain (aka double cloth, two-ply, triple cloth, or three-ply). A hooked rug is a simple type of rug handmade by pulling strips of cloth such as wool or cotton through the meshes of a sturdy fabric such as burlap. This type of rug is now generally made as a handicraft.

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4.6

Embroidery

Fig: Armenian embroidery carpet, XVIII c.,Echmiatsin, Treasury Unlike woven carpets, embroidery carpets are not formed on a loom. Their pattern is established by the application of stitches to a cloth (often linen) base. The tent stitch and the cross stitch are two of the most common. Embroidered carpets were traditionally made by royal and aristocratic women in the home, but there has been some commercial manufacture since steel needles were introduced (earlier needles were made of bone) and linen weaving improved in the 16th century. Mary Stewart Queen of Scots is known to have been an avid embroiderer. 16th century designs usually involve scrolling vines and regional flowers (for example, the Bradford carpet). They often incorporate animal heraldry and the coat of arms of the maker. Production continued through the 19th century. Victorian embroidered carpet compositions include highly illusionistic, 3dimensional flowers. Patterns for tiled carpets made of a number of squares, called Berlin wool work, were introduced in Germany in 1804, and became extremely popular in England in the 1830s. Embroidered carpets can also include other features such as a pattern of shapes, or they can even tell a story.

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5.0 Contemporary Carpet and rug Market with Prices in Bhopal

Fig: Tufted modern Rug

Fig: Modern Carpet with Persian decoration In Bhopal there are different home furnishing stores are available and all the stores carries variety of range product. Within those stores I visited Gharana in New Market, OM Tex in MP Nagar, Hyper city in DB City Mall. Rugs and Carpet prices are varies as per fibre quality, Design, technology etc. Area Rugs prices are started from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 10,000. Carpet prices started from Rs. 250 per square foot to Rs 800 per quare foot.

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6.0 References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Rugs and Carpets of the World edited by Ian Bennett Rugs and Carpet, Techniques, Traditions and Designs by Endrew Middleton The Carpet: Origins, Art and History by Enza Milanesi
http://www.carpetandrugpedia.com/Carpet-History.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpet

http://www.kolkatasnob.com/persian-carpet%5B1%5D.jpg

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