Abrash:
|
It is the tonal variations in the
fibers, usually the result of small-batch dyeing or the use of wool dyed in different
batches. As collectors consider this a desirable characteristic, many large manufacturers
of carpets and rugs have abrash deliberately inserted in their products. |
Asymmetric
Knots:
|
A type of knot that may be tied to open right or open
left, it also gives the pile an inclination to right or left. |
Border:
|
These are the bands of varying
widths around the perimeter of the rug and may number more than ten. |
Carpet:
|
These are usually larger than 9 X 6 ft. in size and
are used mainly for decorative purposes. |
City
Rugs:
|
These are usually intricately
designed and woven rugs made in commercial establishments by skilled craftspeople, going
through various stages like spinning, dyeing, designing, weaving, finishing etc. In these
rugs, the warps and wefts are usually cotton with wool being used at times for |
Donkeybags:
|
These are utilitarian rugs meant for carrying goods
and extremely popular with collectors. |
Edge:
|
These are usually the longer sides
of the rug. They may be selvaged or overcast to create a durable finish. |
Ends:
|
These are the shorter sides of the rug, consisting of
a flat-woven area. They may be anywhere from 1 inch to 1 ft deep. |
Field:
|
It is the large area in the
center of the rug containing the main pattern and designs. |
Fringe:
|
This is the exposed end of the warp extending
out of the ends. It may be braided, or knotted, often in unusual ways. |
Juvals:
|
These are rectangular bags of
varying sizes. Other terms for similar weavings are torba and mafrash. |
Knot Density:
|
It refers to the number of knots per unit of
area. Knots are counted vertically and horizontally within the given area on the back of
the rug. Knot density is not a factor that necessarily reflects quality. |
Mordants:
|
These are the metallic salts,
generally of iron, tin, copper or aluminum, used to attach certain natural dyes to the
wool fibers. |
Natural Dyes:
|
These are dyes extracted from natural substances
derived from flora and fauna. |
Nomadic
Rugs:
|
These are the rugs woven by
nomadic people essentially living in portable houses. These usually contain a limited
number of colors and patterns. Wool is the most common material with horsehair and
camelhair being used occasionally for the edge and end finishing. Silk is used at times,
but only in a few knots and in a limited area. |
Oriental rugs
|
An oriental rug is a handmade carpet that is either
knotted with pile or woven without pile. Oriental-design rugs made by machine or any
method other than hand knotting or hand weaving are not considered authentic oriental
rugs. |
Patterns:
|
These are certain types of elements
used to create a design on the field and borders of a rug. |
Pile:
|
Also called the knot, it creates the pattern. Knots in
rugs are primarily of two types : Symmetric and Asymmetric. |
Prayer
Rugs:
|
These are typically 2-4 ft wide and
4-8 ft. long and are the most prized types of rugs by collectors. |
Rug:
|
These are usually smaller than 9 X 6 ft. in size
and are used for both commercial uses and as collectibles. |
Runners:
|
These are usually rugs
measuring not more than 3-4 ft wide and about 8-20 ft. in length. |
Skirt:
|
This the additional wide border found on one
side of rugs like Juvals and Donkeybags. |
Stripping:
|
It refers to a chemical wash
applied to rugs to alter their colors. Most collectors of oriental rugs consider this a
negative attribute. |
Symmetrical
Knots :
|
The symmetrical knots is the type of knot tied to open
right or open left, giving the pile an inclination in right or left direction. |
Village
Rugs:
|
These are rugs woven by people
living in agricultural communities. These people have more materials as well as permanent
looms available to them. The warps of these rugs are usually cotton with wefts made of
either wool or cotton. On many rugs, the fringe on end is not cut but left as warp loops. |
Warp
Depression:
|
It is the manipulation of wefts to make the
warps lie parallel to one another or on different levels. |
Warp:
|
It is the foundation thread
that is wrapped around the loom and is usually exposed as the fringe. |
Weft:
|
It is the thread inserted across the width of
the loom, perpendicular to the warp, and after each row of knots to hold them in place. |
