|
Silk carpets
are known for their elegance, grace and
characteristic luster that forms an
inherent part of silk fiber. Silk as it
is, is considered one of the most
valuable natural fibers. Pure silk
carpets are known for intricate artistic
patterns and bright colors.
Initially, the carpets were made of
either wool or cotton. When silk was
introduced, as a fibre it was considered
or used for finer carpets. Apart from
the fact that the yarn is fine and
lustrous, silk was believed to provide
the necessary strength to any carpet.
The exotic Persian carpets were usually
made of silk yarn. Kashmir had the
finest wool and silk available to make
the classic carpets during the Mughal
reign. Hand-knotted pure silk carpets
are known for suppleness, softness and
fine workmanship. The number of knots
per square inch defines the quality of
the carpet. Bokhara Carpets are one of
the finest with about 125-500 knots in a
square inch. The silk yarn is first dyed
in required colors. The loom is set and
each pile is hand-knotted. After
finishing carpets are washed and dried.
Since the number of knots per square
inch of pure silk carpets is very high,
very fine patterns can be created with
them. The designs vary from intricate
motifs and patterns of nature, hunting
scenes, bird and animal motifs or
thematic designs like historical
romances. Even Buddhist and Taoist
symbols such as the swastika, the yin
and yang motif and patterns of Persian
tradition were rated as exclusive
designs. Silk appears differently under
variant sources of light. Some weavers
have been able to capture this property
beautifully.
Pure silk carpets in India are made only
in Jammu Kashmir and Laddakh region. |
