Although an Oriental rug or a Persian carpet consists of so many individual elements, the part that is distinctly seen at the first glance is the pile (or surface) of the rug which is almost always made of natural wool. The majority of materials needed in rug production are readily available in weaving regions of the world. In fact, parts of the vast plateaus and broad foothill regions of Turkey, Persia, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan are good for little else but grazing. Large herds of sheep move about these uplands, where they find adequate nourishment as the most important factor giving way to the best wool on the face of our planet. That there is something, either in the grass upon these plains, or in the conditions of the climate, which affects the unbelievable growth of wool, has been demonstrated by the complete failure to raise the animals of these localities elsewhere with an equal degree of success. The long and fine wool for the pile is absolutely essential in the weaving of fine Persian and Oriental area rugs.
The age, breed and general health of the sheep will obviously have an impact on the quality of its wool. However, the way the sheep are fed and the environment where they are raised produce direct results on the quality of their wool as well. From living at higher altitudes, the sheep develops a thick, hardy coat rich in lanolin. Such wool is more lustrous and shiny, has a magnificent patina, and is more resistant to accumulation of dust and dirt. Length of the fiber, oil content, climate and breed contributes to the quality of the wool. It may come to you as no surprise that wool from drier regions tends to be short in fiber, and low in oil content, not only making it fragile but also giving the wool an unhealthy appearance.
The quality of a hand-knotted rug depends largely on the manner in which the wool has been handled. Lousy wool results in low quality rugs. No acids should ever be applied during the process of washing the wool as the oily particles get washed away. Lanolin yields naturally stain-resistant, lustrous yarn that does not shed, perfect for weaving any fabric with. The wool may be spun by either hand or by machines. It may also be dyed by chemical or natural materials. In cases where the dyed wool is hand-spun into thread, the yarn will have occasional lumps which create challenges to the weavers, forcing them to compensate for these lumps by occasionally changing the shape, size or position of a knot. These delicate variations in the pattern of a finished rug - visible only upon close examination - give it the character so admired almost universally.
Oriental and Persian rugs are undoubtedly original pieces of artwork and still the best when it comes to quality and value. The general agreement among rug producers and retailers is that rugs made using one hundred percent New Zealand wool (called Merino) are the very best woolen rugs around. However, experts insist that the wool from northwest of Persia (Kurdistan) sheared in spring time is absolutely the best on the face of the planet and we at Rug Firm tend to agree with them. In fact, this type of wool is so rich in its oil content it looses a significant percentage of its weight after it gets washed, and is to be found in the pile of the most wonderful antique pieces of Persian rugs.
Add More Values to Your Room With Antique Vanity Table With Mirror Buy Water Fountains and Create an Indoor Garden Room Tabletop Water Fountains for the Home The Richness Of Cappuccino Marble Tiles Is Unmatched Vanity Table With Mirror: A Great Addition for Your Teenage Girl's Room Quick Ideas In Choosing The Best Christmas Curtains
0 comments:
Post a Comment