TRUE Persian COLORS
The color of a persian rug is one of its most compelling mysteries. Before the twentieth century, Persian rugs reflected an uninterrupted cultural tradition going back thousands of years. Although the language of these designs remained faithful to its origins, there was tremendous range in the creation of motifs and color harmonies, making each persian rug unique.
One of the major changes that occurred during the fourth quarter of the nineteenth century was the introduction of chemical dye matters. Although there was controversy about the use of aniline dyes (1855 to 1920), their use became widespread very quickly. Aniline dyes were considered damaging to the Persian rug trade, and by 1920, the Shah Reza had issued an edict prohibiting the importation, sale and use of aniline dyes. All items manufactured with these dyes were to be confiscated and destroyed. This ended true aniline dye from persian rugs.
It seems that once aniline came into common use, the desire for wonderful antique Persian rugs dyed only in vegetable or animal dye matter became too great for the supply available. Seeking Persian rugs that are considered seductive decoratively, there is much information to consider. With the enormous increase in the prices of old Persian rugs, there is great motivation on the part of manufacturers and dealers to "enhance reality". This motivation towards extreme restoration of antique Persian rugs and alteration of newer persian rugs is not a new phenomenon. In the early part of the twentieth century, there was also an enormous attraction to antique Persian rugs. Everyone was searching for those Persian rug pieces with pure color, softened, or abrash over time.
Lust for Persian rugs made with the wonderful old Persian dyes became great. Everyone wanted the extraordinary soft but true Persian colors that could not be reproduced in chemical dyes. The art of Gold washing was born to soften and mute the tones, and also Antique, or chie wash. Please do not confused with chemical washings this damages your persian rug, and the quality of wool.
Persian Rugs that were antique in 1900 became very desirable. It was well worth the time, effort and expense to do extensive Master Weaver Persian rug restoration. Exporters and dealers found ways to make contemporary Persian rugs seem to look older. Persian Rugs were treated with various washes, and even buried in the ground to age them artificially. Many new Persian rugs were sold as antique Persian Rugs.
Here we are again, 100 years later. This time our searches are not limited to vegetable dyes and pre 20th century design, but we are looking for the wonderful patina of age and the softening of color that comes with time. Wonderful Persian rugs, woven through the 1930's hold a mystery, which is hard to define. The color is often a combination of man-made and natural dye, which seems glorious with the passage of time. If only more great Persian rugs had been left to grow old naturally!
The lesson here is that there is no substitute for time. One hundred years from now, lovers of pure color will be seeking those Persian rugs that managed to escape the chemical vats during this era.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
How are rug named?
The name of a particular rug can come from many different sources.
The name of a rug DOES NOT denote quality or value. There are wonderful and not so wonderful rugs of every single type. Although my personal favorites are Persian and Afghan rugs, there are rugs of merit and beauty from every single county that has weavers!
The Quick over view on how a rug is named?
Oriental rugs are named in the following ways:
The name of the city or town where it was woven.
The name of the city or town where it was sold.
The name of the area in which the weavers lived where the design was first created, now being woven somewhere else entirely.
The name of the tribal group known for incorporating that particular design into many of their rugs.
The name of the Country it was woven in. Example: Chino-Chinese, Indo-India, Paki-Pakistan.
Here is the long story fully explained!
Here is an example to illustrate some of the above points. An Indo (country where it was woven) Persian (country where the design originated) Prayer rug (rug type) with a Tree of Life design.
The name of the workshop where it was woven or even the name of the Master Weaver running a particular workshop or overseeing the weaving of very special pieces. Example: Haji Jalili (master weaver, NW Iran) Tabriz (city) close to where these rugs were produced.
The name of the producer; creator of Oriental Rug production that directs the weavers to weave particular rugs with innovative new designs. Example: William Morris; Arts and Crafts Movement. William Morris was the founder of the Arts and Craft Movement (Circa 1870-1920) favoring simple designs, good craftsmanship and less ornamentation that was so prevalent in the Victorian Era.
The name of the rug type: An example would be a Gabbeh which could have been woven in a number of different villages mostly in Southern Iran. See my article, “What is a Gabbeh?”
The name of the painter that often included that particular type of rug in his art. Example: Hans Memling, 15th Century Flemish painter: The Memling Gul.
The name of the design itself, such as “Eagle Kazak.” This would usually occur when a rug has been copied so often the design takes on a life of its own.
And last but not least! The city the dealer guessed or fantasized it was woven in or at what time period.
Here’s an example: An “Antique Qum Rug.” The weaving in Qum, Iran, started in the 1930’s or later and an antique rug should be at least 100 years old, so this is simply a delusional attribution!
Hopefully these above examples will give you a better understanding of rug names.
The name of a rug DOES NOT denote quality or value. There are wonderful and not so wonderful rugs of every single type. Although my personal favorites are Persian and Afghan rugs, there are rugs of merit and beauty from every single county that has weavers!
The Quick over view on how a rug is named?
Oriental rugs are named in the following ways:
The name of the city or town where it was woven.
The name of the city or town where it was sold.
The name of the area in which the weavers lived where the design was first created, now being woven somewhere else entirely.
The name of the tribal group known for incorporating that particular design into many of their rugs.
The name of the Country it was woven in. Example: Chino-Chinese, Indo-India, Paki-Pakistan.
Here is the long story fully explained!
Here is an example to illustrate some of the above points. An Indo (country where it was woven) Persian (country where the design originated) Prayer rug (rug type) with a Tree of Life design.
The name of the workshop where it was woven or even the name of the Master Weaver running a particular workshop or overseeing the weaving of very special pieces. Example: Haji Jalili (master weaver, NW Iran) Tabriz (city) close to where these rugs were produced.
The name of the producer; creator of Oriental Rug production that directs the weavers to weave particular rugs with innovative new designs. Example: William Morris; Arts and Crafts Movement. William Morris was the founder of the Arts and Craft Movement (Circa 1870-1920) favoring simple designs, good craftsmanship and less ornamentation that was so prevalent in the Victorian Era.
The name of the rug type: An example would be a Gabbeh which could have been woven in a number of different villages mostly in Southern Iran. See my article, “What is a Gabbeh?”
The name of the painter that often included that particular type of rug in his art. Example: Hans Memling, 15th Century Flemish painter: The Memling Gul.
The name of the design itself, such as “Eagle Kazak.” This would usually occur when a rug has been copied so often the design takes on a life of its own.
And last but not least! The city the dealer guessed or fantasized it was woven in or at what time period.
Here’s an example: An “Antique Qum Rug.” The weaving in Qum, Iran, started in the 1930’s or later and an antique rug should be at least 100 years old, so this is simply a delusional attribution!
Hopefully these above examples will give you a better understanding of rug names.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Silk Rug Repair (persian silk, Turkish Silk, Oriental Silk)
If you look at the damage picture you will see the corner is missing, and roughly 8 inches on one side. The mising knots is roughly a total of 6000 knots repairs, 9 inches of serging or binding , and reweave of the zangir plane and all warps missing. The Foundation of this Silk rug is Silk. Our client was satisfied and refered 2 of her family members in New York to Us. Passion of Persia can repair any damages to any silk rug from around the World. It doesnt matter if the rug is from Persia , Turkey, or Oriental, even if you have a silk Navajo rug. Passion of Persia can repair any and all damages to any silk rug.
Passion of Persia Contact info
602 374 6973 Scottsdale www.passionofpersia.com
312 523 9043 Chicago www.passionofpersiarugs.com
913 523 9043 Kansas City
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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