Rug and Carpet Styles
Hand-knotted thick wool face on heavy cotton backing
(warp) these dramatic carpets are characterized by solid background fields
and strong, sometimes brilliant color combinations, with motifs of
oriental flowers, birds, urns or other stylized designs
Although Chinese rugs were always appreciated, they became
popularized in the 1920’s through the 1950’s Deco period and remain in
demand today for their decorative interest and durability.
Two types are elaborated here:
Imported. Wool or cotton fibers hooked by hand
or ”machine assisted” onto cotton backing. Imported extensively
from Japan to America in the 1940’s and some from China some years
earlier, these area rugs are mostly of pastel, rather standardized floral
designs, oval or rectangular. They are homey and less formal, thereby most
frequently used in bedrooms, family or secondary rooms.
Domestic.
Hand hooked American wool or cotton on cotton or burlap backing,
these area rugs are of greatly varied and frequently original design,
often pictorial in theme. They
were made throughout the 19th century and
earlier, and it is their uniqueness (and of course, condition)
which holds value for collectors.
Machine woven, high quality domestic American
manufactured area rugs in traditional oriental styles, Karastans are
actively being produced today
and are highly valued still for their beauty and craftsmanship.
Good wool, rich patterns, and ever popular, used Karastans retain
their value better than most.
Karastan-type
Similar weaves to the popular Karastan, other
domestic American and occasional European made manufacturers are
represented by Gulistan, Bigelow, Mohawk and Couristan,
to name a few. Quality
varies and is reflected in price.
Handmade rugs of various origins—Persia, Turkey,
Pakistan, India, Afghanistan—purchased (by us) for their decorative and
utilitarian, rather than investment value.
Our rugs in this category date generally from the 1930’s until
the present.
Wilton rugs take their original name from a municipal
borough of Wiltshire, UK. Presently
“Wilton” when applied to rugs refers generically to Jacquard machine
loomed carpets that have cut loop wool face and strong woven backs of
linen, cotton or jute. Although some
Wiltons are
of seamless construction, a typical Wilton is loomed in 27” strips which
are then sewn together.
Wilton rugs were manufactured
in America primarily in the 1930’s and 1940’s, and are sometimes referred
to as “Anglo-Persian” rugs. They have subtle colors, a low dense velvety surface, “oriental” and
geometric design elements, and are tightly
constructed for long lasting wear. Various
Bird of Paradise motifs are particularly prized by collectors.
Over
time typical wear can be seen where the loomed strips are joined, and
along the outer edges where lack of air circulation sometimes provides
opportunity for moths to settle in and damage fibers, especially wool.
Carpet cleaning easily removes the moths themselves but spots of
missing wool pile cannot readily be mended.
In limited cases color matching might help.
In this category you might find casual sisal, machine
woven flatweaves (Dhurrie type) , Native American (i.e., Navajo), and
other miscellaneous types that we carry occasionally.
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