Tammy Connor Blog on Rugs & Kilims |
A few weeks ago I was in Atlanta at one of my favorite rug shops, (Keivan Woven Arts) reviewing Turkish antique rugs for a NY apartment project. They had just received their latest shipment, and I spied some pieces peeking out from under a large rug pile that were unusual and interesting possibilities for a beach project I am working on right now. In the traditional weaving process of piled carpets, like these, the pattern is created by the pile which is knotted around the warp, and the weft is added afterwards to reinforce the knots and hold them in place. A. WARP – The parallel threads running through the entire length of the rug onto which the knots are tied. B. WEFT – The threads running across the width of the rug inserted between all the rows of knots. These threads pass through alternate warp threads. Their job is to secure the knots in parallel lines and to strengthen the fabric. C. KNOT – The term used for a strand of wool yarn which is looped around two adjacent warp threads and then cut to form the pile (surface of carpet). D. OVERCASTING – A simple wrapping of dyed yarn along the entire length of both sides of a handmade rug. E. FRINGE – The visible continuation of the warp threads at both ends of the carpet. F. KILIM- The pile-less web of warp and weft between the rug’s pile and the knotted fringe. This is also the name for a rug without pile. In flat weave rugs, the weft actually creates the pattern. And while both pile rugs and flat weave rugs have a front and a back, the difference between them is rarely noticeable in flat weaves, making them reversible. Kilms are an example of a flat weave rug, and one of the rug types that I saw while visiting Woven Arts. Typically, I think of Kilms as having bold geometric colors and intense hues, and thus I rarely select them for my interiors. But, these Kilms were more subtle. They had unusual and beautiful color combinations giving them a softer presence minus the southwestern flair! The second type of rug that I spotted was a vintage rag rug from Turkey that had been seamed together to form a larger area rug. These rag rugs are found mostly in faded pastels but Keivan had a few vibrant pieces with unexpected color combinations, perfect for a relaxed beach house interior. The construction of the pieces along with the visible seaming adds another dimesion to the texture, which I always love. The irregularity of these pieces and the casual quirkiness that results makes them special. The third type of rug that I saw was an embroidered Jajim. They are intricately woven rugs, and the dense tactile texture that results is unusual to find in old rugs. I was drawn to the moody color combination in this piece. With the colder weather and Christmas around the color, this Jajim rug seems to be asking for a cabin home in the mountains. I can picture sitting on this rug with family in front of a big stone fireplace, while stringing popcorn for the Christmas tree that was just cut down in the neighboring forest! When I am shopping for unusual and beautiful antique rugs, Woven Arts is one my first stops. Keivan along with his wife Hedi, and Paul (and Leo there shop puppy) are a delight! Leo the shop dog. |
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