Oriental Weavers Rugs Offer Customizing Flexibility

Oriental weavers rug are very special! They have become valued throughout the world during the past century as a work of art. They are often referred to as the aristocrat of carpets. There is a rich history and color associated with this unique rug. Many people envision a magic carpet of some Arabian legend, but to the contrary, they don't perform magic by flying through the air.

They do, however, perform magic when it comes to transforming the interior of your home with extraordinary beauty. The term Oriental weavers rug has been traditionally been used to describe hand-knotted rugs from the east. Interior designers refer to them as a custom floor mat, or depending upon the purchase price, cheap area rugs.

When an Oriental weavers rug and is made, it typically involves stretching warp threads on a loom and knotting the pile to these threads. Once the row of knots are completed, a weft thread is inserted. After the craftsman has completed the knotting of the entire carpet, the pile is then shorn.

There are many skilled craftsmen worldwide, and the precision of design depends upon the skill level of that craftsman. The precision of the design depends on how tightly the rug has been knotted and how short the craftsman has cut the pile. Most vendors of Oriental weavers rug will refer to the number of knots per square inch as these are used as an indicator of the fineness and durability of the rug. Obviously, the more knots, the better the quality of rug. You'll find that the best quality rugs will have somewhere in the vicinity of 500 to 1,000 knots per square inch!

There are many countries in the Far East that are well-known historically as great carpet producing areas such as Turkey, Persia, Turkistan, Caucasus, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, India, China, and many others. You also find that Spain produces a tremendous variety of hand-knotted Oriental weavers rug of distinction.

Many Arab and Greek early writers referred to Oriental weavers rug in early ancient times, but when the first oriental rug was woven is unknown. In the Altai mountains in southern Siberia in 1949, a Russian archaeological expedition unearthed a royal burial mound that contained a preserved frozen carpet in miraculous condition, known as the Pazyryk carpet. It was used as a saddle cover for a horse that was included in the burial tomb.

This incredible piece of artwork was beautifully designed and dates back to the fourth or fifth century B.C., and is the earliest known surviving example of a hand-knotted carpet known to man. Today many reproductions and imitations exist and are referred to as cheap area rugs, braided rugs, and Oriental weavers rug.

There are several theories surrounding the technique involved in knotting carpets. It is believed that nomadic tribes in Central Asia produced small rugs that were typically decorated with geometric motifs, that were inspired by animal forms and plants. For wandering nomads the rugs served as floor coverings, curtains, saddlebags and wall hangings. The nomads had great carpet-making skills and took great pride in their work. Due to their security being threatened by natural elements or human foes, they often had to dismantle their looms and move on.

Unfortunately, when this occurred their creations contained irregularities in weave, design and selvages. These wandering nomads were responsible for spreading the art of carpet making to new lands and new peoples. Over the centuries, great carpet making centers such as Persia and Turkey developed. When Persian manuscripts from the reign of Choroes I, the king of Persia between the years of 531 and 579, described a unique carpet entitled Spring Carpet of Choroes which was woven of silk, gold, silver and wool, and was studded with elaborate precious stones. The 16th century through to the first half of the 18th century was known has Persia's golden age of carpet making.

Today, a number of carpets actually exist from this era that are recognized for their incredible beauty, harmony of colors, and originality of designs. Whether you're looking for cheap area rugs for a hallway or living room or desire nothing but the best Oriental weavers rug money can buy, it is always interesting to ponder the history behind this remarkably beautiful handmade item!

Oriental Weavers Rugs - A Beautiful Addition to Your Home

Oriental Weavers Rug
In the dining room or in your study, on foyers or on stairs, Oriental weavers rug look natural wherever you place them. Geometric patterns or simple designs, bright colors or light tones, they enhance the beauty of your rooms.

Fragments of ancient rugs found in the Tarim Basin, which includes modern day northwestern India, East Turkmenistan, southern Russia, western China and Mongolia suggest that Asia was the first to produce rugs. Thus the term Oriental weavers rug refer to those created anywhere in Asia.

Buying an Oriental weavers rug is quite a task, especially if you are buying it for the first time. There are various factors to be considered. To begin with the size of the room for which you are buying plays a pivotal role. For dining rooms the size of the table may be considered, while for bedrooms the area in front of the bed may to be considered. Quality of oriental weavers rugs depends on knots per square inch; higher number of knots will guarantee a clearer and sharper design. Quite the same manner in which you judge your digital photos by dpi. Some experts also suggest that you look out for imperfections in an Oriental weavers rug to judge its authenticity. This may sound strange but it is said that weavers make intentional mistakes on a perfect rug, as they believe that only the Supreme Being can make something that is perfect.

Oriental weavers rug are more durable and environment-friendly than mass-produced machine-made rugs, as they are made of natural fibers like cotton, wool or silk that last longer and as these are handmade each strand has been tied individually for greater strength and consistency.

Weaving of Oriental weavers rug is a delicate and tedious process. Mainly two types of knots are used - the symmetrical Turkish knot or the asymmetrical Persian knot. The number of knots per square inch may vary from 16 to over 500. Horizontal or vertical looms are used to weave the rugs. Horizontal looms are preferred for weaving smaller rugs while the vertical ones are used for bigger ones. Depending on the quality and size of the rug it may take from only a month to several years to complete.

As Oriental weavers rug can be a costly affair it is important that you make sure that you are buying an original one. You may make use of experts while buying and some rug dealers also provide a certificate of authentication with their rugs.

How to Identify and Profit From Beautiful Oriental Weavers Rugs - Tools and Tips

When it comes to rug cleaning, preserving, restoring or repairing there are several tips to keep in mind. Learn how to identify and profit from beautiful Oriental weavers rug with these tools of the trade and other tips.

1. Magnifying Glass. When out scouting for treasures one of the least expensive but most valuable tools to bring along is a simple hand-held magnifier. Search for variations in threads, signatures and other tell-tale signs that allow buyers to distinguish valuable investments from common imitations.

2. Ultra-Violet Light. A portable UV light is a great way to view repairs and easily distinguish new additions from original weaves. The UV light also provides additional assistance to spot stains or other areas in need of repair to help determine if the investment is worthwhile.

3. Professional Cleaning. Once you have selected a potential rug the next step is to have it professionally cleaned by a company that specializes in oriental weavers rug cleaning. Make sure the company understands how to deal with delicate fibers and valuable rugs. Often a simply cleaning can restore the color and beauty of the rug back to its former beauty. Always obtain a written estimate of the cost of cleaning prior to sending the rug for cleaning and understand what method will be used to clean the rug before agreeing to the price or other terms.

4. Appraisal. Depending upon the age, pattern, design and other characteristics of the rug it is often advisable to obtain an independent appraisal to determine the value of the piece. Appraisers should specialize in quality rugs and provide full documentation on the item.

5. Insurance. Valuable Oriental weavers rug and other exotic textile arts can be very rare and difficult to replace. After obtaining a valid appraisal it is a good idea to take photographs of the rug for insurance purposes. Many standard home owners policies have exclusions or limitations on the dollar amount of coverage for household items so it may be necessary to purchase a rider or additional insurance to cover the value of the rug itself.

6. Reputable Providers. Always use a licensed, bonded and insured Fort Worth rug cleaning and Oriental weavers rug cleaning provider like Kiwi Services when having your rug cared for. Receipts and Documentation should be provided beginning with the original quote for cleaning, pick-up and delivery. Save all documents for your records and to show regular maintenance and the history of the rug.

Cleaning Your Oriental Weavers Rugs Properly and Keep Them Looking Great

When you buy a wool carpet or area rug, you know that they have a beauty that cannot be compared. They are expensive but they are the finest carpets available. For many people wool carpets are a status symbol and they can maintain the stylishness and beauty of every room in your house. Taking proper care and cleaning your wool carpet regularly will make sure that you get your money's worth from the carpet. With frequent cleaning your expensive Oriental weavers rug can easily outlive you and become a treasure that future family members will enjoy.

Wool carpets and Oriental weavers rug should be vacuumed regularly two to three times a week to prevent them from getting too soiled. If you allow the dirt to get ground into the rugs before you vacuum you might find that you get irreversible traffic patterns that form. Even by vacuuming your wool carpets on a regular basis they need to be cleaned every year by a professional carpet cleaner so that they last a long time and maintain their beauty. When you get the carpet cleaning company to clean your carpet you should make sure they use a cleaning system that uses very little water. The rugs will dry much faster and you will prevent your wool carpets from developing mold or mildew because of the quantity of water that they hold.

Wool has many qualities that do not exist in synthetic carpets and because of this wool is very popular when decorating your home. Wool resists being crushed or flattened even when they are in areas that get a lot of traffic in your home. Many synthetic carpets are made with olefin or polyester. This type of carpet can crush or flatten in no time when it is used in high traffic situations. Using carpet underpadding below your carpet will stop uneven wear on your wool carpets and it is important to rotate your carpet every few months so that it wears evenly on all sides. This will help to prevent unsightly traffic patterns as quickly.

Wool has an amazing natural quality of stain resistance. There are natural oils in wool that repel spots and stains. This helps the wool be stain resistant but not stain proof. When you get a spill occurs you have to remove it as quickly as you can to prevent any stains becoming permanent. Use a soft paper towel or white cloth to blot away as much of the spill as possible making sure not to rub it in, because this might lead to permanent staining.

After you blot up the spill, use a carpet cleaner that is designed to work well with wool carpets. You can buy wool carpet cleaners for all kinds of spills online if you do not have the right kind of carpet cleaner with you at hand. Remember that many spills contain different oils (e.g. shoe polish, creams, cosmetics, butter, salad dressings etc.). They can be cleaned with dry cleaning solvent whereas food items and other non-oily spills can be cleaned with a solution of mild liquid detergent in water. Brush the nap in the correct direction after cleaning and dry your carpet using a cool hair dryer.

Wool rugs can actually hold 30% of their weight in moisture by absorbing moisture into the rug from the air in the room. This lowers the humidity in a room and reduces the static electricity in the carpet.

Using wall-to-wall wool carpets give you more comfort underfoot because they are soft, plush and warm. There is a very comfortable feeling of luxury as it squishes between your toes underfoot. They make wood floors warmer and stone floors more comfortable and are great over carpets to add that feeling of luxury.

Oriental Weavers Rug: Why You Deserve One?

Buying an Oriental weavers rug is something that you may want to consider if you are looking for a way to update your home. Although this is not the right decision for every homeowner, many have found it to be a great idea. If you are interested in doing something nice for yourself, while also making your home more enjoyable, there are not many ways better than buying an Oriental weavers rug. But before you head out and make a purchase, you should consider why so many people are deciding to do so.

There are many reasons that you deserve to buy your home an Oriental weavers rug, but one of the best is the way that these look. When it comes to the best looking rugs on the market, there are not too many better than Orientals. Of course, this is also subjective based on your personal tastes, but most people will agree with this. When you add an Oriental weavers rug to any room in your home, it is sure to look much better.

From there, you should consider the fact that Oriental weavers rugs come in many different styles, shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. As you can see, these are anything but a “one size fits all” operation. You should not have any problems getting your hands on the Oriental weavers rug that looks best in your home. If you are interested in solid colors, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. But of course, the same holds true if a patterned look is something that you are after. And then when it comes to size, this detail is just as important as color. Luckily, you should be able to find one that fits in small rooms, large rooms, and everything in between.

Next, you need to move on and consider the quality that you will receive when you buy an Oriental weavers rug. When you buy one of these, you are not just getting something that every homeowner has. Instead, you are shopping with quality in mind. And when you buy for quality, there are several benefits that you will get to take advantage of. First off, high quality means that your Oriental weavers rug will look tasteful; no matter which one you decide on. Additionally, quality usually equals durability and longevity. This means that you can use the same rug for years on end. And as long as you are not too harsh on it, you will never have to worry about premature wearing.

Although most Oriental weavers rugs are of high quality, you should still be careful when shopping. There are some discount stores that will sell Oriental weavers rugs, but when it comes down to it, they are of lower quality. This may not be a problem for you if you are interested in price, first and foremost. Just make sure that you know what you are getting so that you are not disappointed in the end.

Overall, every homeowner deserves to buy at least one Oriental weavers rug if they can afford to do so. No matter what room you decide to put this in, you will be happy with the end result. And the bottom line is that the way your room looks and feels is what matters most!

How Make Money by Investing in Antique Oriental Weavers Rug Collections?

oriental weavers rug
Greatly desired and collected, antique Oriental weavers rug investments can give you higher returns than the stock market. Following these guidelines can help you become a successful antique Oriental weavers rug run collector.

1. Before making any purchases, research the market. Gain knowledge of the preferred characteristics of antique Oriental weavers rug collectors in order to avoid purchasing less desirable products. Start a collector’s journal. Do not get in a hurry and buy a rug that looks good but may not have value. You can judge the value of oriental weavers rugs by looking at their back. Take a magnifying glass and count the number of knots per square inch. The more knots you have the better the quality of the rug. Handmade Oriental weavers rugs are valued more than machine made, so look for the sign and stamp or the tag that says handmade.

2. Purchase or borrow books on collecting antique Oriental weavers rugs. Not only do books offer valuable information on the desired characteristics, but also other tips and facts are available. If possible, purchase at least one book at a time; however, the public library will offer resources if purchased materials are unavailable. Add any pertinent information to the diary.

3. Online research offers an abundance of antique Oriental weavers rug information. Search for reputable collectors or suppliers. Send your questions to oriental weavers rug makers in turkey or where. Ask them what makes the rugs more valuable overtime. What are the things should you look for. Is there any wholesaler they can refer who sell such investment rugs. The Internet is an invaluable source of research information. Again, information of value should be added to the collector’s log.

4. Window shop various markets of antique Oriental weavers rug supplies. Bring notes and books. Identify the source, age, and material of an assortment of rugs. Ask questions. This exercise will train you to recognize valuable rugs by the most sought after characteristics of individual rug types.

5. Decide what type of antique Oriental weavers rug is of the style most desired by the collector. Once a favorite style is selected, investigate the details of the chosen fashion. Research the differences in all styles that appeal to you, especially the characteristics of the style that demonstrates its uniqueness.

6. Purchase an inexpensive, aged, dilapidated rug. Identify the texture and the weaving techniques employed. Discover any information available by dismemberment of the rug. Record all information in the journal.

7. After researching through books and the Internet, looking at rugs, deciding the collection style, and dissecting a rug, purchase an antique Oriental weavers rug using the skills acquired. Shop around in antique shops and carpet dealers, and on Internet sites. When a rug that offers interest and matches the desired criteria is found, purchase it.

8. After gaining experience, visit a well known auction house such as Sotherby’s or Christies. Profitable purchases are obtainable when knowledge of desirable traits and trends is available.

The value of antique Oriental weavers rugs increases with time passage. Collecting rugs can be a component of a retirement fund. Applying the above guidelines will be an aid in purchasing wise investments.

Rug Care & Maintenance - Oriental Weavers Rug

Like everything else today, rugs need special care to ensure long life. Regular cleaning using adequate treatments will help extend the life of your rug.

Vacuuming Regardless of whether your rug is a cut pile or loop rug, vacuuming is the basic and primary step for caring for your rug. Rugs are exposed to endless mistreatment, such as treading feet, dirt, dust, oil and spills of all sorts. Vacuuming regularly can prevent soil build up. Vacuums with good suction are recommended to lift surface dirt. This especially applies to looped rugs, where damaging the loops is possible. Cut pile rugs on the other hand, require rougher treatment. Besides removing surface dirt, it’s necessary to agitate the pile to loosen the dirt which may have seeped into the core. These rugs require a vacuum with a beater or brush bar to lift the residue imbedded in the rug. While vacuuming remember to never allow the soil storage bag to become too full or dirt may escape the vacuum.

Cleaning

Even though vacuuming removes a lot of soil, oily substances deposited on the rug also pose a problem. If left to pile up, these oils cause matting due to the pile sticking together. Gradually the rug starts to form ridges and the colours dim. If not removed when first noticed, it becomes hard to clean. It is, thus, advised to clean your rug when dullness first starts to appear. There are many ways to clean your rug but almost all require clean cloths or paper towels, warm water and a cleaning substance. To avoid altering the rugs texture DO NOT RUB as fuzziness may result.

Removing Stains
Our rugs are treated to be stain resistant which delays the stain setting in and gives you a chance to react. The key is to treat the stain or spill quickly before it is absorbed by the rug and dries.

Basic cleaning steps for typical everyday stains
1. Scoop up as much of the spill as possible
2. Absorb as much of the liquid thats left with a dry cloth/paper towel by blotting
3. Apply warm water to the stain then blot again If the stain remains visible, mix warm water with a mild non-bleach laundry detergent. Using a clean cloth apply some of the mixture to the stain and let it soak for 5 minutes.
4. Rinse the stain with warm water and blot it well to extract the residue. Repeat until there is no detergent on the rug. When satisfied and the rug is completely dry, vacuum the area.

Specific Stains

Since different stains require different cleaning treatments, it is important to identify the source and nature of the stain. Below is a list of common stains and how they are best removed

Oriental Weavers Rugs: Trend-Setters In The Industry

As many homes have chosen to have a wooden floor these days, small or large area rugs have also become must-have pieces of accessories to these homes. It has always been a tradition that when you add an area rug in your room, you are most likely to buy one from the East, such as those sold by Oriental Weavers rugs.

The company, Oriental Weavers, has been in the business for at least two decades and is one of the largest manufacturers of rugs around the world. Oriental Weavers rugs are famous for their trend-setting and fashionable designs. The research and development department of the company continuously do their jobs in researching the demands of the market to provide the varied designs of Oriental Weavers rugs. The materials used in Oriental Weavers rugs are wool, polypropylene or both.

How to Choose the Right Oriental Weavers Rugs

With the wide array of Oriental Weavers rugs that you can find in the market, it is best that you decide first whether you have to settle with large area rugs, or several small rugs. If you wish to have your entire room fitted with a single large area rug, then you can choose one of Oriental Weavers rugs which have the size of either 9-feet by 12-feet, or 12-feet by 15-feet. The most common size of Oriental Weavers rugs used in the dining and living room is 8-feet by 11-feet. Oriental Weavers rugs of these sizes are usually large enough to accommodate your dining table and chairs.

If you want a combination of small and large area rugs in a room, make sure that their colors and designs complement each other. You would not want your visitors to feel awkward when they enter your home because the colors and designs of your Oriental Weavers rugs are not in harmony.

How to select the right oriental rug weaving and repair services

Instructions

Step1

Selecting a oriental rug weaving and repair provider isn’t always as easy as it may seem but making the wrong decision can lead to the loss of a family heirloom or fine investment quality rug. Use these quick tips and questions to learn how to select the right rug weaving and repair services to assure your rug retains the full value and beauty you have come to expect.

1. Risk Free Consultation. Don’t assume the consultation is free. Many oriental rug weavers and repair services charge for consultation or will only waive the consultation fee if you use their services. Often service charges are higher than average so the consultation isn’t really “free” but rather “hidden”. Instead, search for a service provider that provides a free – no obligation – consultation.

Step2

2. Process & Procedure. Ask how work is performed. There is a great deal of variation between rug care experts; in fact, many are not experts at all. Be sure to ask questions about the type of rug, weave used, dyes, proper cleaning and other pertinent information to verify the technician is knowledgeable about hand woven rugs in general.

Step3

3. Outsourced or In-house. Find out exactly who will perform the rug weaving and repair then verify they are licensed, bonded, insured and qualified to perform the work. There are only a limited number of oriental rug weaving experts throughout the nation so search for a company that has a contractual relationship with a qualified expert that specializes in rug weaving and repair.

Step4

4. Matching. The older and more delicate a rug is the more difficult it can be to match the fibers and colors especially if the repair requires replacement of missing fibers. One common method includes using old discarded rugs of the same type, age, geographical region etc as replacement fibers.

Step5

5. Clean. It is a good idea to have your rug cleaned at the same time you have it repaired; it can assist in proper color correction and fiber matching. Make sure the company knows the proper method to clean delicate rugs and doesn’t use harsh chemical baths that could fade the colors nor simply “beat” the rug to remove dust.

Step6

6. Experience. It is absolutely imperative to go with a well known company with a solid reputation when it comes to rug weaving and repair services. Find out how long the company has been in business, make sure the current owners are not new and verify insurance information.

Acquiring a oriental rug? Check dye, wool Deseret News

Tulips and carnations bloom against the purple-red background of a 16th-century Turkish carpet. The effect is dazzling, says William Seward, "a visual feast." Seward, who has studied weavers' techniques in Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, is a dealer in Oriental carpets -- rugs hand-woven in the Middle East and Asia.

Seward says the Turkish antique rug has two attributes you should look for when shopping for a carpet for your home: natural dyes that boost its visual allure and durable wool that extends its life span. Yet only about one in 20 new Oriental carpets offer both.

Rugs made with natural dyes -- derived from plants and insects -- have colors that seem to shift hues. This jewel-like effect is lacking in rugs with synthetically dyed yarns. Seward demonstrates the difference by displaying a new rug made with naturally dyed fibers. As you step around the rug, its tomato-red flickers a shade of violet.

Carpets crafted with natural dyes generally cost almost twice as much as rugs made with synthetic dyes. In this case, the rug with natural dyes is priced at $99 a square foot -- or $4,850 for a 7-by- 7-foot size -- while the synthetically dyed rug costs $60 a square foot -- or $2,100 for a 5-by-7-foot size.

A rug's durability depends mainly on the quality of the wool. A carpet with the finest wool costs up to 25 percent more than one with mediocre wool. But better wool can extend a rug's life span by half.

Although dye type and wool quality are the most critical factors, some merchants play up the knot count per square inch. The higher the knot count, the finer the weave. Finely woven rugs render intricate patterns in sharp detail. But many modern homes with subdued decor are best matched with more coarsely woven rugs in simple patterns, Seward says.

Seward recommends four wholesalers that he says sell only rugs made with natural dyes and durable wool: Garuda Woven Art, www.garudawovenart.com; Miri & Jalili, www.jalilirugs.com; Woven Legends, www.wovenlegends.com; and Yayla, www.yayla.com. Although you cannot order from them directly, you can locate dealers through the Web sites.

Once you purchase a rug, consider insuring it. Most homeowners' policies set a carpet's replacement value by estimating the price of comparable rugs at the time of your claim. Seward recommends that you insure separately any carpet worth more than $5,000 because a separate policy allows you to lock in your purchase price as the reimbursement value. The cost is about $5 per year for every $1,000 of value.

San Francisco's KRIMSA Fine Rugs & Decor Selected

SAN FRANCISCO -- KRIMSA Fine Rugs & Decor, the innovative San Francisco dealer in heirloom-quality rugs, has been notified of its selection as the 2007 Rug Retailer of the Year.

In only its fifth year, KRIMSA, located at 2190 Union Street at Fillmore, becomes just the 14th merchant nationwide to be recognized with the prestigious annual honor, the highest of the "ROY Awards" that are presented at Atlanta International Area Rug Market.

"We are elated at the choice of KRIMSA as Rug Retailer of the Year," said co-owner Paul Ramsey. "Our original fine carpet store, Shaver-Ramsey Oriental Rugs & Decor in Denver, was honored with this award three years ago after being in business for more than twenty-five years."

With no access to the deliberations of the independent panel that chose KRIMSA, Ramsey can only speculate that there were many factors influencing the decision. "KRIMSA, uniquely, is open to the public, not just to designers like many of the city's other Oriental rug dealers. Because KRIMSA targets a broader market, it has exposed thousands of people to the world's finest weavings," he said.

"When we opened KRIMSA, some questioned whether the city needed another Oriental rug store," said co-owner Elizabeth Vehko. "However, we felt that offering unique and beautiful rugs in a gallery setting, along with working with both designers and the general public, would prove successful. We are now the only retail rug store in the city with exclusive agreements from some of the world's preeminent weaving groups, including Woven Legends, Zollanvari, Megerian, Rugs by Robinson, Anadol and Tamarian."

Vehko added that she is pleased at how quickly KRIMSA has become a draw for out-of-town visitors, as well as for residents of San Francisco and the Bay Area. "Our original concept was to bring a store full of colorful, handmade, high-quality rugs and textiles to the public," said Vehko. "Our desire to educate the public has succeeded by offering lectures, showing films and providing weaving demonstrations."

In addition to standing out aesthetically, Ramsey notes that KRIMSA is committed to giving back to the community, another possible contributing factor to its selection as Rug Retailer of the Year. It has hosted meetings of the San Francisco Bay Area Rug Society and held a reception for the famed quilters from Gee's Bend, Ala., whose work has been displayed in museums around the world, including the de Young Museum. In addition, the company hosted weavers from Sarawak, Malaysia, in conjunction with the Textile Arts Council.

Claremont Rug Company Assembles Rare Collection : Oriental Weavers Rug

Thematic Exhibition Highlights "The Art of Timeless Beauty"

BERKELEY, Calif. -- An exceptional collection of more than 60 antique Oriental weavers rug created in the 19th century by tribal weavers will go on display, Friday, October 3, at the Claremont II Rug Gallery as part of an exhibition entitled, "The Art of Timeless Beauty."

The collection features rugs seldom available for sale and is believed to be the largest exhibition of rare tribal rugs in the world in recent years.

Claremont Rug Company founder and president Jan David Winitz said that many of the rugs in the group "are of a type that many dealers might have only one of in their own personal collections and seldom offer for sale.

"Over the past decade, tribal rugs of this quality have been increasingly limited to the private collections of connoisseurs," he said. "They rarely even come to the auction market, and when they do they regularly sell far above the high estimate. Because of our long-established reputation, we are often offered exclusive access to the finest rugs, as was the case with the Hudson River Valley Collection that we acquired earlier this year."

"Virtually all of the rugs on display were acquired from long-established American and European collections and have not been viewed publicly during our generation. They feature numerous seldom-encountered motifs and color palettes," said Winitz, who created the internationally-known Claremont Rug Company nearly three decades ago.

"As part of a tradition stemming about three millennia, rugs of unimaginable beauty were woven adapting the traditional archetypal designs and color combinations of eight major tribal groups. As their nomadic lifestyle changed irreversibly at the start of the 20th century, a limited number of these masterworks are left for us to marvel at today," he said. "The recent interest by major publications is another indicator that art collectors and investors are taking serious interest in the best antique weavers rug."

Speaking of his recent lectures, Winitz said, "The response was tremendously gratifyingly. They confirmed there is a true thirst for knowledge among rug aficionados who are beginning to look beyond the decorative value of rugs."

Somerville will be the primary speaker at the October 5 event entitled, "Antique Tribal Rugs: Unchanged since Biblical Times." To illustrate his lecture, Somerville will present a wide collection of extraordinary tribal rugs, rare photos and a film. There is no charge for the event. However, seating is limited and RSVPs are recommended.

Oriental Weavers Rug can Claim that Rugs Rule

There is a traditional form of carpeting found in homes around Japan called tatami mats. These oriental rugs are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, dating right back to the 12th century. You have to pay attention to certain rules because the number and layout of tatami mats can bring you either good or bad fortune. You want to avoid laying them in a grid pattern, as this will bring bad luck. If there is a death in the family, this is the only time the mats can be laid in a grid pattern.

Oriental rugs come in all shapes, and sizes and origins. There is a traditional form of carpeting found in homes around Japan called tatami mats. These oriental weavers rugs are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, dating right back to the 12th century where tatami mats were used as luxury goods by emperors, religious leaders, nobles, and high-ranking officials. The color of the fabric used on the edges showed the rank of individual households of those that owned them. The tatami mats come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.It was a custom that was carried on until the 17th century when this special mat found its way into the homes of ordinary people. Before the arrival of tatami mats, sleeping mats were made simply from straw and were usually thicker, until the tatami evolved. Early in the 15th century and beyond, people began to use them as floor coverings for the first time, which evolved into a way of life, thus giving birth to Japan's unique tatami culture. Various forms of mats such as oriental weaver rugs were used prior to the introduction of the tatami mat.

The tatami mat comes in three different parts, the rush or reed cover, the straw core and the decorative cloth edging. The Japanese refer to these parts of the tatami mat as the omote, tatami goto and the tatami beri. The tatami omote is made from a soft reed and each mat needs about 4,000 to 5,000 rushes. The omote is then woven together with hemp or cotton string. To make the straw core, commonly referred to as the tatami goto, a length of 40 cm of straw is reduced to just 5 cm. Then, to finish, the cloth is used for the border of the mat. Deeply rooted in their culture for many centuries, Japanese life centered around the tatami mat. They entertained guests, played, worked, slept and ate in elegant tatami-carpeted rooms. Oriental weaver rugs come in various shapes and sizes but the tatami mat could be found in a rectangular, square, triangular or even octagonal shape. The size was determined on where you lived, so basically everyone had a custom floor mat. Kyoma mats that are roughly 3' x 6' were used in Kyoto, whereas if you lived in East Edoma, the common measurement was 5' x 8', which was more popular. Today, you can have a tatami mat made into your own custom floor mat and you'll see all sorts of their from sizes and styles.

There are also health benefits to be derived from tatami mats. The inner core of these oriental weaver rugs is squashed tight and full of air thus making it very effective for absorbing heat. Japanese scholars claimed that the tatami mat could absorb 500 cc of water from the air. They claimed that if the atmosphere was dry the water would naturally evaporate. Tatami is made from soft reed, and according to ancient Chinese medicine, it calms the spirit, and the mind and body will be relaxed by the natural smell. When it comes to designing your tatami custom floor mat for size and fit, you have to pay attention to certain rules because the number and layout of tatami mats can bring you either good or bad fortune. You want to avoid laying them in a grid pattern, as this will bring bad luck. If there is a death in the family, this is the only time the mats can be laid in a grid pattern. The size of a room in Japan is usually measured by the number of tatami mats. Japanese stores are designed to be the size of 5 ½ tatami mats to ensure that you have good fortune no matter what kind of business you're in. The tatami mat is traditional to the unique way of Japanese living. These special mats are associated with tea ceremonies and Japanese religious rites. The Japanese believe that these fascinating everyday objects can lead one on the way to spiritual enlightenment! Japanese culture, dictated the concept of the tatami room. The tatami mat is truly unique and speaks for the discipline and health consciousness of the Japanese culture.

How To Know a Genuine Oriental Weavers Rug

When you are looking for something special to put on your hardwood or tile floor, you will probably think of using an Oriental weavers rug. But how do you know the difference between an Oriental weavers rug and one that is just pretty to look at? Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for your new Oriental area rug.

One thing that is very common to find when shopping is to have several styles of patterned rugs lumped into the general heading of Oriental weavers rug. Often, even some rug retailers will sell a mix of both machine and hand made rugs under the very same title or brand. In fact, only hand knotted rugs are true Oriental weavers rugs, but this is often not made known by the sales force in the retailer or on their website.

Oriental rugs are a pile or a flat woven fabric that has been hand-knotted in the Middle or Far East. Only rugs from Afghanistan, China, India, Nepal, Iran, Tibet, Turkey and Pakistan are considered genuine oriental rugs along with some of the old Soviet Union territories, Egypt and North African countries as well as Romania and Albania. If you are being sold a rug as genuine and it was made in Belgium, South America, Western Europe or the United States, then that sales person either doesn’t know what he is talking about or is hoping you don’t know better. The same is true if the rug is made on a machine or is constructed of nylon or polypropylene.

Now, just because you have found a patterned rug that has been made in one of the countries listed above, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a authentic Oriental weavers rug. You can have a hand made rug that is not actually hand knotted. For example, hand tufted rugs are easily mistaken for hand knotted rugs.

If you are unsure if the rug you are considering taking home is actually hand knotted or hand tufted, there are two ways you can know for sure. One is to look at the back of the rug itself. The fringe that will be on both pieces will most likely give you the answer you are searching for. If the fringe is sewn on, it is not a genuine Oriental rug.

But genuine Oriental rugs fringe actually comes directly from the material being on the loom instead of it being sewn on afterwards. The other way to be sure you are getting a genuine Oriental weavers rug is to look at the price tag. A hand knotted rug will cost roughly twice as much as a hand tufted rug.

If you are going to take the plunge and invest several hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in an Oriental area rug, then be sure you know your facts before you go shopping. Just make sure you don’t end up paying a premium price but get a non-genuine premium Oriental weavers rug.