History of the Persian Carpet:
Whatever is
known of the origins of the pile rug is based on
suppositions but the can assume that pile
weaving had a nomadic origin although there are
too many beliefs and sayings about where really
the origin is. In Iran! An important period in
carpet weaving is during the reign of the Sassanian dynasty (224-641 AD) and too many
magnificent carpets were exported to distant
lands. From that time this art went though other
dynasties with some Fluctuations.
Techniques and Weaving
Processes:
The
fundamentals of carpet weaving are the same. The
warp and the weft are caused “foundation”.
Carpet weaving has its own stages, for instance
the first stage is called “Gilim- baft”. After
this the basic part begins and the colorful
fibers, like wool or silk, hang from the pile.
After the first row of knotting, weft and warps
pass through each other and the function of the
weft now is to unite the knotted parts of the
carpet. At the end, the carpet is laid on a flat
cylinder with a smoothed surface.
Knots: The process of knotting is tying a short
– length of yarn around two adjacent warp
strands to form the surface of the carpet. In
addition, the density of knots results in the
fitness and the long wear of the carpet. So with
more knots, the pattern is highlighted
Stain Removal:
To remove different
stains such as coffee, juice, greasy substance,
etc …. First you have to absorb the stain with a
non- dyed cloth or a tissue paper. Sponging
should also be done to wipe off the coloring
substance, but there are different techniques
for removing different kinds of stains, each
having its own process. Washing the most
important factor to preserve carpets for a long
time is to keep them clean, take good care, wash
them every 2 or 3 years, and restore them when
damaged.
Design:
Persian carpets
fascinate the whole world by their unique, pleasant, and varied
design. Each has its own beauty and perfect harmony. The works
of the designers together with the efforts of dyers and weavers
has resulted in the production of the most glorious creation,
the “Persian carpet”. They are durable, unique, and with the
special quality of wool and brilliant colors. Thus, these
characteristics gave Persian carpet its world wide reputation.
Nowadays most of the carpet industries weave their carpets using
Persian designs and they know that they cannot improve on the
existing ones.
Raw
Materials:
Wool: Sheep wool is one of the basic elements in
the carpet weaving. It is important how to choose the best
quality wool which can be obtained from mountainous and mild
areas and it should be refined from the external substances
before spinning by mechanical apparatus. Down (kork): It refers
to the soft wool that grows close to the skin of sheep and
goats. Fairly expensive rugs are made form them. Cotton: It has
an important role in carpet industry and is used to weave the
wrap and the weft of the carpets. Also, it is not eaten by
moths. Silk: It is produced by the larva of a species of moth,
called the silkworm. Silk carpets are so expensive and stronger
than wool ones. Because it is difficult to weave them, they are
delicate and expensive. Dyeing: It plays an important role;
since without colors, no design can be created. The dyers
combine the principal colors with the complementary ones to
obtain an exciting world of colors. The colors are divided into
two categories: Natural and Artificial. Natural dyes: Although
many of them were obtained from animal and mineral sources, they
are often referred to as vegetable dyes, which come from natural
sources and environments. These colors show the subtle beauty of
tone in the carpet. The natural dyes are Ronas, Saffron,
Logwood, etc.
Washing after weaving process:
It is necessary to wash the carpet after weaving in order to
remove the redundant pieces of wool remained between the wefts
and warps. This process gives shine to the wool and causes the
pile to trace its natural smooth direction. It also gives a
pleasant shade to the carpet. This should be done technically,
if not, the colors may bleed into each other. Also, some carpets
with sharp colors are washed chemically known as “gold-
washing”, using a chemical process to change the red tones of
the carpets.
Hunting Scenery Design:
Its carpets usually demonstrate the scenes of hunting and its
nature. this design depicts the animals and the preys which they pursue
in the various plant life ,the fine stone is kept in the Vienna Museum.
Tree and Shrub Design: This
design is a combination of the "medallion" pattern with figures of
animals and trees. Exquisite sample and kept in the Museum of Philadelphia.
Harati Design:It
derives its name from the city of harat It is composed of a single
floral head, within a diamond frames. one of these carpet, is kept in
the Museum of Vienna.
Garden design:This
design is based on the formal gardens of ancient Persia with their abundance of flora
separated by pathways and ornamental ponds. And they were woven for the
royal courts.
