A Short History Of Rug-making
- Date: 2010-02-10 - Word Count: 526
Share This!
The craft of rug-making is one of the oldest skills in human culture that we are aware of from antiquity, and has been practised for generation on generation throughout the world. Used to cover walls and floors, whilst adorning dwellings with unique style, the rug is a low-tech product from the past that is still in great demand today.
As far back as 7000 BC our ancestors were producing rugs, often to compliment the sheep and goat skins used within their dwellings that were a natural part of the primitive herding lifestyle. In European terms, the Anatolian peninsula in what is now modern Turkey was one of the first places that rug making culture developed in earnest, and this long tradition has survived and continues to this day with the production of ornate Kilims.
The origins of rug making technique have been shown archaeologically to be the flat weaving style. Warp and Weft; that is, vertical fibres (Warp) interwoven with horizontal fibres (Weft) combine to produce flat surface which is pile free. It is this technique that is still utilised in the construction of Kilims and other ancient ethnic rugs such as the Indian Dhurrie.
Later the flat weaving technique developed with the inclusion of hand knotting. This entails hand knotted woollen strands being used to create a thicker rug which uses a skeleton structure Warp and Weft as the foundation of the rug. Hand knotting was practised widely throughout the rug making world, and continues to be the basis of traditional rug making design from Persia to India.
At the same sort of time that Anatolia was coming to prominence with regards to rug making, the craft was also developing in Central Asia. The Persians took the techniques of hand knotting to the next level, and perhaps had a cultural advantage in the development in the craft ? traditional Europeans distinctions between craft and high art did not exist as readily in Persia, where often the two considerations where seen as part of an aesthetically and functionally holistic process.
Oriental rug making also has a long and proud tradition. Rug making skills from the Far East arrived with the return of Marco Polo from his 11th Century expeditions, and the rugs he brought back so impressed the great and the good of Europe that trade in the goods between Europe and the Orient soon flourished. By the time of the Renaissance, everyone who was anyone had to have a display of fine rugs in their stately pile.
At a similar time, the Moghul princes ? who ruled large parts India ? introduced hand knotting to the sub-continent, and through this transformed local methods of rug making. It was Persian rug makers brought by the Moghuls who first introduced the hand knotting style to Indians, and at first these their styles were copied; but soon an indigenous Indian style developed.
Europeans eventually got serious about constructing, rather than buying in rugs in the 17th Century, particularly in France; and England, where one of the first carpet factories opened in Wilton. The tradition thrives to this day, with suppliers like Modern Rugs making available a wide range of rugs online, from imported traditional to contemporary original designs.
As far back as 7000 BC our ancestors were producing rugs, often to compliment the sheep and goat skins used within their dwellings that were a natural part of the primitive herding lifestyle. In European terms, the Anatolian peninsula in what is now modern Turkey was one of the first places that rug making culture developed in earnest, and this long tradition has survived and continues to this day with the production of ornate Kilims.
The origins of rug making technique have been shown archaeologically to be the flat weaving style. Warp and Weft; that is, vertical fibres (Warp) interwoven with horizontal fibres (Weft) combine to produce flat surface which is pile free. It is this technique that is still utilised in the construction of Kilims and other ancient ethnic rugs such as the Indian Dhurrie.
Later the flat weaving technique developed with the inclusion of hand knotting. This entails hand knotted woollen strands being used to create a thicker rug which uses a skeleton structure Warp and Weft as the foundation of the rug. Hand knotting was practised widely throughout the rug making world, and continues to be the basis of traditional rug making design from Persia to India.
At the same sort of time that Anatolia was coming to prominence with regards to rug making, the craft was also developing in Central Asia. The Persians took the techniques of hand knotting to the next level, and perhaps had a cultural advantage in the development in the craft ? traditional Europeans distinctions between craft and high art did not exist as readily in Persia, where often the two considerations where seen as part of an aesthetically and functionally holistic process.
Oriental rug making also has a long and proud tradition. Rug making skills from the Far East arrived with the return of Marco Polo from his 11th Century expeditions, and the rugs he brought back so impressed the great and the good of Europe that trade in the goods between Europe and the Orient soon flourished. By the time of the Renaissance, everyone who was anyone had to have a display of fine rugs in their stately pile.
At a similar time, the Moghul princes ? who ruled large parts India ? introduced hand knotting to the sub-continent, and through this transformed local methods of rug making. It was Persian rug makers brought by the Moghuls who first introduced the hand knotting style to Indians, and at first these their styles were copied; but soon an indigenous Indian style developed.
Europeans eventually got serious about constructing, rather than buying in rugs in the 17th Century, particularly in France; and England, where one of the first carpet factories opened in Wilton. The tradition thrives to this day, with suppliers like Modern Rugs making available a wide range of rugs online, from imported traditional to contemporary original designs.
Related Tags: rugs
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Important Things to Know About an Assisted Living Residence in Texas
n assisted living residence is a facility designed for senior citizens or persons with disabilities - Understanding How the Probate Process Works
The probate process is required within the U.S. to settle estates of deceased persons. The time requ - Fun Ideas for the Family During the Christmas Holiday
The Yuletide season is one of the most awaited holidays of the year because it is the time for joy a - How To Find The Right Composite Decking Deck Builders
Another rising home improvement project homeowners are starting to do a lot more of is the composite - Every Home Should Have A Radiant Barrier
The most easy and successful home improvement project you can do to your House, would be to install - The Different Types Of Rain Gutters
When purchasing a house or planning to do improvements to a home, there is always one project that s - How To Get The Best Replacement Windows For Your Home
Installing replacement windows can be the single most important home improvement project you can do - Holiday Accommodation Gold Coast: Pointers For Selecting The Best
With a multitude of holiday accommodations in Gold Coast, choosing the one for yourself can be quite - Want Holiday Accommodation In Gold Coast Queensland? Get Online To Find The Best Deal In A Quick, Co
There are several ways to find holiday accommodation in Gold Coast. You may refer to travel guides t - Celebrate The Ten-days Festival Of Navratri.
Dasara known as Dussehra, Navaratri, Vijaya Dashami is a festival of triumph of GOOD over Evil. The
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Adoptees Need Support When Voicing Feelings about Birth Parents
"I feel like a mistake.""I'm not like them.""Where's my family?""Why can't I find a suitable career? - Progressive Cooking: All About 'cuisine'
The French are known for their interest in art and all that is fine. It therefore comes as no surpri - Moroccan Decor - Oh My! Make Your Home Shine With Moroccan Rugs and Tapestries.
It is said in Morocco that he who enters Fez with a rug will leave with a moneybag. This saying o - Online Criminal Background Checks-Importance & Ease
Have you ever thought your new neighbor looks like one of the pictures on the post office bulletin b - Installing A Burglar Alarm
Want to protect your home? Ready to install a burglar alarm? The popularity of the home burglar ala - Lowe's Backyard Playground Sets
Lowe's is an excellent first place to look for anyone who is looking for the best swing sets on the - How Could Short Term Health Insurance Help Me?
Short-term health insurance plans allow people to have health insurance for a limited amount of time - Watch Out For Those Stinky Skunks!
There are various species of skunks found throughout the United States including the striped, spotte - Asthma In Kids: An Increasing Epidemic
Many believe that the majority of asthma cases are confined to adults, but this is definitely an inc - Stairlifts For Riders Of Above Average Weight
A stairlift is an affordable device that is used to give people with limited mobility access to the