Carpets: the historical thread running through your interior

Caja Nijenhuis, E-mail Marketing  Gallerease
Caja Nijenhuis
E-mail Marketing
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The popularity of the use of traditional carpets in home interior design is a fact. It is no surprise a piece to your own taste can light up an entire room, especially with the history and heritage of the carpet and its manufacturing process in mind...

Due to lack of evidence, we can find two theories proposing the origin of the carpet. It is said they may have come into existence in a world of ancient nomadic populations, as protection against cold climates through their thickly knotted forms.

The carpet must have been a welcome alternative to using animal hides and furs for this purpose, defying the need to give up loved and valuable animals. Some propose the earliest carpets to have served as artistic pieces made by settled people, as permanent parts of homes. This perspective may be a better explanation of the development of more elaborate patterns, implying a ceremonial use of some pieces. Although elements of both theories are plausible, it is clear even the earliest carpets played an essential part in people’s lives.

A fine example of an ancient carpet is the famous Pazyryk Carpet, which was excavated from a tomb of a Shiite chief in Siberia. Research claims it dates back to the 5th century B. C., making it the oldest carpet in the world! Because this particular carpet has been discovered frozen in ice, a refined artisanship is still clearly visible. Is this an example of a decorative piece, or just protection against cold?

Judge yourself:

 

The Pazyryk Carpet

The Pazyryk Carpet, Siberia, circa 400 BC. Hermitage Museum.

 

Because of a gradual spread of the use of carpets around the globe, the mystery of its origins remain. Other examples of older pieces originating from the Middle East confirm carpet weaving to be carried out here extensively during the 2nd and 3rd century BC.. This area is therefore often defined as the cradle of carpet weaving.

Some of the most important developments in the history of carpet manufacturing took place under the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal dynasties.

The position of the carpet was taken as a concept and lifted beyond its original essence as tradable objects of art. The production of the carpets happened at court in established workshops. This resulted in the use of the most valued materials and the development of designs of high complexity, derived from the prominent religious place of the carpet in the Islamic world. Flowers, fruits and cypress trees can often be found on the pieces as a reference to the paradise as described in the Qu’ran.

Carpet producing during these times involved a fast and detailed way of handcrafting.

 

Carpet Mughal period of Shah Jahan

Carpet, Mughal, period of Shah Jahan (1628–58) India Wool on silk foundation.

 

Because of the developments in the Islamic world, the carpet became one of the most popular luxury goods in Europe as well.

One could call the woven works of art the essence of a world of merchants and tradesmen, as we can still see how the carpet often took a prominent place in paintings and other depictions; the Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 - 1543) is an example of this. We see how the purpose of the carpet as floor-coverage we are familiar with today, is not something to be mindlessly associated with this period.

Rugs in Europe could often be found lying on a table for flaunting purposes and in order to protect it from any wear and tear.

 

Hans Holbein the Younger, the Ambassadors

Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 - 1543), the Ambassadors, 1533, National Gallery, London.

 

Because of the popularity of the carpet in Western countries during this time, the carpet has not left its place in our homes since. The biggest complaint in the industry today is the effort of machine-made manufacturers and retailers to blur the difference between their product and genuine, hand knotted rugs. It might be useful to keep in mind that for most dealers in genuine Oriental rugs, an ‘Oriental rug’ is defined as a piled or flatwoven fabric, knotted in one of the traditional weaving areas of the Middle or Far East.

If you are hesitant to take the plunge of investing in a piece, you might want to start your journey at N. Vrouyr or at Foumani Persian Gallery; famous for a wide choice in antique, semi-antique and even modern design rugs from countries as Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Armenia, India, Nepal, China, Tibet, the Caucasus and the High-Atlas mountains.

Above this article(Kashgar, early 20th century), you can see an example of a magnificent carpet from East Turkestan of an unusual large size: the absolute essence of the art of carpet production! 

For more information N. Vrouyr about this Kashgar carpet

For more curated fine art also have a look at Gallerease!


Written by Caja Nijenhuis on 22 Jan 2017, 11:30 Category Art Dealer ProfilesTagged Buying Art, Background information
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