Floor coverings have always been an integral part of Indian homes. Since most Indian traditions required people to sit on the floor, be it to eat, pray or sleep, carpets or other floor coverings were needed. Other traditions, requiring use of carpets, may have discontinued, but using them as a piece for interior decoration, still continues.
The Oriental rug has always been valued throughout the world, as a work of art. With its rich history and colour, it is often called the Aristocrat of Carpets. Although the Oriental rug of today may not soar through the air like the magic carpet of an Arabian legend, it does perform magic, transforming interior spaces into extraordinary spaces. Sir George Birdwood, an expert in Indian arts and crafts, says, “Few people seem to be able to realize that when buying oriental carpets they are, in fact, choosing works of art and not manufactured goods at competitive prices.”

Royal expansion

Under the Safavid Dynasty (1502-1736), Persia (Iran) attained its artistic height. Court weaving, together with the arts of calligraphy, miniature painting, and tile work, flourished to exceptional heights. This brilliant era witnessed the development of highly qualified carpet factories in the cities of Kerman, Isfahan, Kashan, Tabriz, and Herat. Iran is the genesis of most motifs, patterns and traditional colorations, produced in rugs throughout the world today. Over the centuries, Persian carpets have become treasured heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next.

Persian carpets are traditionally known for their tremendous variety in design, colour, size, and weave. Moreover, they are known for the uniqueness of each and every rug produced. Rugs are generally named after the village, town or district where they are woven or collected, or by the weaving tribe in the case of nomadic pieces. Each rug’s particular pattern, palette, and weave are uniquely linked with the indigenous culture, and weaving techniques are specific to an identifiable geographic area or nomadic tribe.

The period from the 16th century through the first half of the 18th century, is known as Persia’s golden age of carpet-making. A number of carpets survive from this era and are recognised for their harmony of colours and originality of designs. Oriental rug collections could be found in the great courts of Europe, including those of Catherine de Medici and Charles V. The Lord Chancellor of England, Cardinal Wolsey, is reported to have purchased 60 Turkish carpets from a Venetian dealer to furnish his palace at Hampton Court.

Persia to India

Persian carpets export began in the 16th century. And gradually Indian weavers also picked up the craft, and finally made it their own. Thus grew a new Indian tradition in carpets. But as royal patronage played a dominant role in its evolution, it reflected largely the tastes of its patrons. As a result of their pre-occupation with gardens, flowers, fruits, hunting, such themes naturally found their way. But the motifs that took place had subtle inner meaning—whether it be human figure, flora, fauna, landscape or water. The circle is eternity; the swastika — guiding light in darkness; the meandering line — the continuity in life; the tree is bounty. Thus the whole carpet may be said to be the emblem of life. The using of colours is equally special. This was achieved by arranging them in such a way as to eliminate any shadow. Colours like designs have a basic symbolism of their own, and the fillings as they are termed, stand for the finite fleeting universe. Another noteworthy factor is the need to distribute the ornamentation in a finely balanced manner in order to maintain symmetry.

Amongst woolen pile carpets, kaleen as the product is called in India, Kashmiri ones are perhaps the highest in quality and undoubtedly the most famed. It is believed that the Kashmiri shawl had a great impact on the carpet. In fact, some of the shawl weavers took to carpet weaving as the latter had a better demand. Kashmir still makes the old Indo-Persian and the Central Asian types like Bokhara and Turkish.

Oriental carpets were, and still are, hand-knotted rugs. The rug’s density, or number of knots per square inch, can be a useful indicator of the fineness and durability of the rug—the more knots, the more beautiful and durable the carpet. A superb Oriental rug may have more than 500 to 1,000 knots per square inch.

The process typically involves stretching warp threads on a loom and knotting the pile to these threads. When a row of knots is completed, a weft thread is inserted. Once the entire carpet is knotted, the pile is shorn. To a large degree, the precision of the design depends on how tightly the rug has been knotted and how short the pile has been cut. The back of a carpet also shows the quality of the rug. The pronounced ribs running the length of the carpet, fully covered with pile yarn, is called the panalidar back and is one of the distinguishing marks of Indian carpets.

Many of the modern carpets have a smooth back and give rather a deceptive appearance of quality.
Persian carpets continue to boast very high quality standards and command a very brisk interest in domestic and international markets. An Oriental rug is a purchase for a lifetime and when properly maintained will last for generations.

Taking care

When using your Oriental rugs are on the floor, use carpet cushions (pads).  There is no question that a carpet pad prolongs the life of your Oriental rug or Kaleen.  In most cases, the best is plastic foam that will not migrate colour to the rug or to the floor and will offer good wear protection.  Do not use a rubber, jute or waffle pad. Flip the rugs over periodically so there will be even distribution of fading and wear on both sides. Have your Oriental rugs and other wool area rugs treated for moths, carpet beetles and destructive insects.  Inspect the rugs periodically for insect damage. Vacuum your rug moderately using a vacuum without the ‘beater bar’. Clean spills immediately. The quicker the cleanup, the less likely that your rug will sustain permanent staining.

Do not allow the rugs to get wet.  If they do get wet, make sure that they dry in the shortest possible time.  A ‘wet vacuum’ and a fan can help.

Have your rugs cleaned when noticeably dirty and only by a specialist with a thorough knowledge of Oriental and other area rugs and carpets.  Do not have the Oriental rugs or carpets dry-cleaned, steam cleaned or cleaned by any automated means.

Have any tears, fraying or damage repaired immediately.  If a torn or damaged area is allowed to continue fraying, it can greatly decrease the beauty and value of your rug.  Remember that quality repair and restoration can save many rupees in future repair costs and also serves to retain the beauty and value of your oriental carpets.