From Tents To Palaces

The rugs that now adorn countless homes, offices and even palaces trace their ancestry to nomadic tribes which wandered the desolate lands of Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus. These nomadic tribesmen who herded sheep used the wool to create monochromatic flat-weave rugs.

As time passed, they began dying the wool with natural dyes and creating simple, geometric patterns. These same, centuries old techniques can still be found in kilims, grain sacks and saddlebags being woven today by people whose lifestyles remain the same as their ancestors.

No one knows when the first tufts of wool were woven in the threads of a carpet to create a raised surface, i.e. pile. Pile rugs have been discovered in tombs and burial sites which date back to the fifth century B.C.. The Pazyryk Carpet discovered by S.I. Redinko, in a frozen tomb in Siberia is now housed in the hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia. These early rugs demonstrate many of the same techniques and design in use today.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth century these pile rugs became coveted in Europe, where they were used at table coverings and wall hangings. By the eighteenth century Oriental Rugs had begun to be used as floor coverings. Their popularity has continued to grow, and they can now be found throughout the world.

Sourced from 'The Mystique of Oriental Rugs' by the Oriental Rug Retailers of America

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085

Afghanistan - History & Rugs

Afghanistan is an arid and desolate land whose people have lived in turmoil for centuries, was ruled by the British from the seventeenth century through the mid twentieth century. The British rule was replaced by King Mohammed Zaher who rules until the Russian invasion forced his exile. Meeting with great resistance the Russians left, leaving Afghanistan with further turmoil caused by the Taliban. The Afghan people come from a tribal background where they learned to be prolific rug weavers; the art of weaving being passed down from mother to daughter.

Rugs from Afghanistan tend to be quite stylized with a limited number of colors. The Afghan guls and the Ersari are similar to the "Bokhara" in pattern and color and are the basis for most Afghanistan rugs. Another popular type is the Belouch, which are primarily made by nomadic tribesmen. The Belouch weavers are particularly fond of prayer rugs in dark colors and primarily utilize geometric patterns.

Many rugs are made by Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, on the "New Frontier" along the Afghanistan border around Pesharar. Some of these rugs contain traditionally Afghan designs. However the Caucasian and Persian designs woven there are very popular with today's decorating trends.

Dr. Khosrow Sobhe (Dr. Kay)
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
www.RugIdea.com
Tel. 310-770-9085