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The
certainty of the origin of the carpets
would always continue to be shrouded in
mystery. However, it is definitely out
of the debate that woven forms of floor
coverings were present during the
Neolithic Age (7000 BC).
The very mysteries of how the carpet
actually came into existence would
always remain the same in the absence of
the documentary evidence. However,
according to Enza Milanesi’ The Little
Brown Guide to Carpets’ there are two
theories to ponder upon.
The first theory says that the carpets
were invented to serve the practical
purpose of the rough nomadic
populations. They were thickly knotted
to protect the people from adverse
climatic conditions. This also served
the purpose of them not to give up their
valuable animals for their hides.
Therefore, it also fulfilled their
original intention of no direct contact
with the ground.
It is believed that such carpets came as
rudimentary forms of floor coverings
what we see today. Evolved since the
early times, the previous forms of the
decorated tents of the nomadic lifestyle
were specimens, uniquely colored and
decorated with the particular sorts of
motifs and established beautification
styles. In addition, they wove on the
vertical loom that could be dismantled
and transported easily.
The advocates of the second theory
pronounce that the knotted carpets did
born early. However, they evolved as
artistic pieces with the settled people
that were artistic and utilitarian both,
in function. Forming as the permanent
parts of homes, they became important
during festive and traditional
ceremonies, leading their way towards
becoming an essential part of peoples’
lives.
Interestingly, the knotted ones were
woven on the horizontal looms, which
developed from its vertical cousin.
The Pazyryk Carpet was excavated from
the tomb of the Shiite chief in the
Pazyryk Valley in the Altai Mountains,
Siberia, encased and thus, preserved in
ice. It dates back to 5th century B.C.
It is the oldest specimen found of the
ancient weavings done in the world. Such
is the refined artisanship of the carpet
that it definitely confirms the overview
that the carpets were woven as articles
to decorate the dwellings, representing
them to be more inviting.
The above important archaeological
excavation did lead to a fact that
whatever be the actual reason behind the
birth of the carpets and rugs, they
serve all the intents of providing
insulation from the climate along with
offering beautification.
Places of Origin
The gradual spread of the art of the
knotted carpet, over the centuries,
around the globe has proved to be a
hindrance in solving the mystery of its
origin. However, many different carpet
fragments have unearthed during
excavations around the world. Strong
evidences collected from the Middle East
region say that carpet weaving was
extensively carried out there during the
2nd-3rd BC. Therefore, it is termed as
the cradle of carpet weaving. People
migrating to areas from Turkestan to the
west, the Caucasus, Persia, Anatolia, to
the east to China, and then later to
India, extended this art form to the
natives of these places. Moreover, this
complete range of locations is known as
the Oriental Carpet Belt.
Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant and
traveler, while travelling through
Turkey said, “They weave the choicest
and the most beautiful carpet in the
world. They also weave silk fabrics of
crimson and other colors, of great
beauty and richness, and many other
kinds of cloth.” He added greatly to the
fact that it all flourished in the
Islamic culture that he perceived,
during his world expedition.
An antique carpet is like a “living
thing”
Most of the antique forms of carpets and
rugs that we see today reflect their
rich weave and decorations of Persian
styles. Sustaining through decades and
centuries, such significant objects have
lived through & are looked up with great
respect and pride. Carpets woven before
circa 1920 are categorized as antiques.
In spite of this, there is a detailed
segregation for ‘antique carpets’.
Other than the year wise tagging, the
traditionally woven carpets made with
natural dyes or before the introduction
of the synthetic dyes (occurred during
1860-1870), are fondly termed as antique
carpets.
‘Semi antique carpets’ are those that
were woven from 1860-1870 to the early
20th century. Usually, Turkish and
Persian weavings have fully or partially
displayed traditional decorations and
motifs.
The carpets woven from 1920-1930 till
today are known as ‘modern carpets’.
Modern carpets are normally seen
inspired from the Western choices and
demands. However, there was this
deprivation of quality and tradition.
The above chronological classification
of such ‘living objects’ as carpets is
quite elementary. Fascinatingly, the
ones that were woven before 17th century
are so rare that they can only be seen
in museums or large collections.
The early-knotted forms were also seen
as domestic usage articles such as wall
hangings, matting, etc. that were
progressively developed into exquisite
forms of hand-woven art forms. The
western weavers were influenced with the
Oriental motifs, primarily Sassanian
origin. However, there was a progressive
enrichment by difficult blend of
Asiatic, early Byzantine, Christian and
Islamic cultures.
Literature on Carpets:
Egypt
Carpets from the Islamic world, like
Egypt, are fabricated with greater
quantity as well as quality. With unique
elegance, they were traded off to
distant places far east. The earliest
forms of carpets displayed geometric
designs. The carpet cradles, Persian and
Anatolian designs spread their wings to
Istanbul, and then to weaving places in
Cairo. The weavings derived from Cairo
greatly look like the ones in Eastern
Turkistan.
Usually woven with wool, Egyptian
carpets and rugs are tied with
asymmetrical or Ghiordes knots. Motifs
like a palmette on the red background of
a carpet, etc. Unfortunately, there are
almost no records showing about the
manufacture or utilization of the
carpet.
Nevertheless, the Egyptian awe-inspiring
hand-woven carpets and rugs are famous
all over the world.
China
Chinese carpets are quite a standout
among the rest of the types of carpet
styles of the world. Especially their
singular aspects like the motifs, the
conservative color choices that do not
look so well outlined. Chinese carpets
speak a blend of the languages, the
floral as well as geometric. However,
the style is very different from the
Islamic countries.
Astonishingly, carpet weaving in China
was not a greatly accepted artwork until
around the later half of 1700. It was
the period much after than any other
Oriental carpet weaving location. Two of
the reasons behind can be the scarcity
of wool in China and the showcase of the
Chinese aesthetic works that reflected
the refinement and calligraphic
perfection of which they were demur.
The beautiful Chinese carpets are a
beautiful amalgamation of flowers as
well as abstract geometrical figures,
curvilinear in nature. The blend does
not create any confusion but a distinct
style that is evenhanded as well as
graceful. For instance, with a central
medallion accompanied with four corner
medallions. Mythical flowers, animals,
are also grouped together, generally in
a circle with precision.
The inimitably tinted Chinese carpets
generally exhibit symbols, which are
inspired from the natural world, ancient
local myths, Buddhism, and Taoism.
Intriguingly, every symbol carries a
peculiar meaning with it that is not
simple to decipher.
Turkey
Anatolian or Turkish carpets are overall
inspired from their local culture and
tradition. The carpets all inspired from
the Islamic culture display ancient
layouts with a blend or repetition of
simple or geometric figures or symbols.
Enthrallingly, the Seljuk rulers
introduced the art of carpet weaving to
Anatolians during their invasion in
1100. They came from Turkestan and
dominated Asia Minor until 1299.
The eccentrically attractive carpets
from Turkish weavers sport a lively
color palette numerous in nature and
with strongest tonalities. The shades
range from red, blue, yellow, and warm
shades in common. The various
specialized weaving locations spread all
over the country produce carpets
distinct in nature, popularly demanded
worldwide.
The Turkish knot also belongs to the
same geographical area imitated by all
carpet weaving countries on the globe.
Large numbers of Anatolian carpets were
seen in Europe during 15th and 16th
century. The carpets with their vivid
color pattern and easily recognizable
forms do have a great fan flowing.
Exquisite prayer rugs obtained from
nearly all production areas employ an
artistic blend of vivacity with
tradition.
The Mongolian Inspiration
The ancient Mongolian carpet weaving was
certainly borrowed from the Persian
land. The Altai nomads of Siberia are
responsible for maintain the cultural as
well as trading links with the south and
east in China, East Turkestan, Tibet. It
also spread westward into Iran and the
Middle East in the earliest periods.
During the conquest of China by the
Mongols, it did not help as much as
during the Mongol rule at its peak. The
pleasingly gorgeous pile carpets woven
by Mongol weavers bore equal status as
the great carpets from Mughal India and
Safavid Iran.
The carpets obtained from the central
part of the Asian continent, say China,
Mongolia, Armenia, etc., Mongolia is one
such country that displays a unique
combination of the various forms of
foreign decoration forms and motifs.
They somehow reached this part of the
world by various important happenings
that changed various boundaries.
Believably, one of the earliest forms of
carpets were found in the present day
Mongolia that were woven by the first
people to weave carpets. The strong rule
of the Mongolian invader Ghengiz Khan
during the 12th century paved way for
the development of Mongolian influenced
carpets and rugs that are still seen
today. Nevertheless, with a fantastic
display of decorations, motifs and
layout styles on the carpets, it could
be said that if Persians were to realize
the craft of weaving and knotting,
Mongols were the first to weave the
specimens related to the finest lot.
After all, the art originated as a
nomadic artisanship for the world to
follow.
When traced back to the history, many
carpet designs, fabrics, colours,
patterns emerged. Types or
classification of carpets that came into
existence since the discovery of carpets
are as under:
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