The word used to describe the variations in color found within a single color in an Oriental rug. It refers to the hue or color change found on many older rugs, particularly those rugs woven by nomad tribes. While abrash is commonly seen in tribal nomadic rugs and in some modern Oriental rugs are intentionally woven with the color variation. The variations in color are usually the result of inconsistent dyeing of the wool, or through the introduction of a new wool batch while weaving the carpet.
Synthetic dyes first invented (discovered) in 1856 by William Perkins. The term is now used to describe any synthetic dyes used in Oriental or Navajo rugs.
An ornate curving design of intertwined floral and vine figures often seen in intricate workshop rugs such as those from Isphahan, Tabriz, Nain and Qum.
The fibers of the noble bamboo plant are very long and strong. With special treatment they can be spun into a yarn that is lustrous like silk yet cool to the touch. Bamboo yarn is uneven in color and texture and the result is a rustic finish that exhibits interesting fluctuations in tone for a natural look.
The Bakhtiari confederation is a large and powerful group, covering much of central and southwestern Iran. Small rugs, saddlebags and trappings are woven by nomadic Bakhtiaris, while large carpets are woven by the settled tribes’ people. The most familiar pattern is the garden design consisting of repeated squares or diamonds, each of which encloses a tree or floral motif. The name translates roughly as "the lucky ones".
A large group of nomadic tribespeople living in Afghanistan and eastern Iran who weave many types of small rugs, animal trappings and tent furnishings. They favor deep tones of blue, dark brown, dark red and touches of natural ivory.
The capitol of Uzbekistan and the traditional trading center for Turkmen tribal carpets. Today, rugs called Bokhara are usually made in Pakistan using Tekke Turkoman designs.
This is a motif in stylized form representing either a pine cone or a palmetto, the sacred flame of Zoroaster or a Cypress tree. Sometimes called a Paisley Pattern. Seen in many types of Oriental rugs and transitional rugs.
The task of pulling the wool fibers between two spiked paddles in order to arrange the fibers in a random manner. It is a first step before combing which positions the fibers in a parallel arrangement.
Drawing the already carded fibers through a set of spiked blocks in order to align the fibers in a parallel arrangement. This is done prior to spinning.
Individual fiber count per unit of rug/carpet area indicator; obtained from the pile yarn weight, or "face weight" (in ounces per sq. yard) divided by pile height (in inches).
Adding colors to rug/carpet fiber, yarn or fabric; face fiber dyeing can be done before yarn is spun (solution or stock dyeing), after it (skein, package or space dyeing) and after rug/carpet is put together (piece and continuous dyeing, printing).
Separation between two neighboring tufting needles in inches; the smaller the gauge, the more dense the rug/carpet; quality units need to have 1/8 gauge of or smaller.
This is a design feature often found in carpets from Persia. Usually four leaves are woven around a well-defined diamond. This is sometimes referred to as the "Fish Design" but this design does not really represent fish.
Strong, resilient synthetic fiber; the two types used for most commercial carpets are 6 and 6.6; branded nylons have their properties specified by the manufacturer, unlike unbranded varieties.
A term used to refer to the structure of knotted carpets and rugs forming a pile or nap. Wool, silk, or sometimes cotton is knotted around the warp in a variety of techniques.
A small Oriental rug used by Muslims to kneel on when reciting their prayers. It should be noted, however that most prayer rugs were woven for the foreign market.
A technique commonly used on Kilims where the weft threads turn back at the meeting of different color areas. It is easily recognizable by the small gaps which appear where there are color changes.
To execute the design we must weave the carpet. Our rugs are hand-knotted, staying true to the traditional weaving arts. In other words, our rugs are created by interlacing wefts and warps into a unified backing/pile structure.
Oriental Rugs may be woven with wool, silk and cotton or synthetic yarn. Antique Persian Rugs use wool, silk and cotton that was locally sourced. Some very high-end Persian Rugs used silk and even gold thread.
Our own line of Oriental Rugs are woven with New Zealand wool on a cotton or silk foundation.
Our Tibetan Rugs, which are prominent in the contemporary design, use wool from sheep grazed at high altitude in Nepal or Tibet.
