Ways to Interpret Some Common Symbols Found in Rugs

Handwoven rugs depict a host of rather interesting symbols. Traditional symbols on hand-woven rugs bear witness to many of the beliefs and superstitions that are held in central Asian countries where the art of weaving was born and still thrives. A pattern has three fundamental elements, a unit, repetition, and a system of an organization which can be interpreted in a curvilinear or rectilinear manner.

The patterns in the Persian rugs bought from any reputed Persian rugs wholesaler depicts designs that were made thousands of years ago and have been handed down from one generation to the next. These hand-woven rugs are unique as you won’t find two hand-knotted rugs that look the same. People from various regions – tribes, villages, cities – use different designs and materials in the construction of rugs.

Any Oriental rug design that is bought from any reputed Persian rugs wholesaler contains certain components that remain same in all the rugs:

Borders :

There are usually two borders on a rug one is the main border which is the widest section of design around the outside of the rug, while another border is the guarded border that is usually narrow and lies inside the main border.

Field : The field is the colorful background inside the borders.

Medallion : Often, rugs feature a medallion in the center of the field. The medallion is a large shape which can be round, oval or polygonal and sits prominently in the middle of the rug.

Corner brackets, quarter panels or spandrels: These are designs that fill the corners of the field.

Some Common Symbols on Oriental Rugs

Birth Motifs

Elibelinde : This symbol represents the mythological goddess of the same name and it looks like a figure of a person.

Ram’s horn : A Ram’s horn symbolizes masculinity. The central part of the design represents male fertility and power.

Life Symbols

Comb and earrings : These two symbols reflect a desire to marry. The comb is a nuptial accessory, while the earrings are a common wedding gift.

Sandikly – hope chest/ trousseau: This symbol reflects the objects that girls weave for their trousseaus before they get married. These objects include small purses, kilims, scarfs, belts, and garments.

Yildiz – stars: Stars are a symbol of happiness and a life full of hope.

Ying-Yang : This Ying-Yang holds a different meaning to that of the more common Ying-Yang. It symbolizes a balanced relationship between women and men.

Afterlife symbols

Birds : Birds symbolize the flight of the soul to heaven.

Vulture : This kind of bird is particularly important as it indicates the souls of the dead.

Tree of life : This is the most widely-known symbol of immortality.

Some Common Misconceptions about New Oriental Rugs

Rugs are an ideal solution for almost any kind of interior. Rugs are very interesting decorative items that are rich in history and have cultural significance. In modern times oriental rugs have been adapted to satisfy more contemporary tastes and are often made in workshops. A vibrant oriental rug’s rich colors and elaborate designs can effortlessly transform the entire look and feel of a room. Oriental rugs are more expensive than the normal area rugs so visit multiple rug wholesalers to get the best price rugs in London.

Remember that when you are buying an oriental rug you are not just purchasing a rug but making an investment. Modern spaces coupled with traditional or even antique rugs represent a stunning solution. But buying an original oriental rug is a mean task. It is not easy for normal folks who are amateurs to identify rugs and know the distinction between an authentic handmade Oriental rug and a machine made a rug. There are several misconceptions about new oriental rugs that often mislead buyers and refrain them from purchasing the best price rugs in London. Here we will discuss some of the common misconceptions that you should ignore when buying oriental rugs:

1. Old Rugs are Made from Natural Dye and New Rugs have Synthetic Dye

Most rugs and carpets that are available on the market now that are considered old were made with synthetic dyes and only some new rugs are now made with natural dyes.

2. New carpets with an old look have been given a bath in tea
Tea is sometimes used, but almost always in combination with other substances whose effects are permanent.

3. If you find bands of slightly different color run across a rug, it is a sign of natural dyes
This disparity in color is a sign that wool has been dyed in small batches, each batch is slightly different in shade.

4. New Oriental rugs are no longer made by hand
One of the most important facts about Oriental rugs is that they are all hand-knotted and made from hand-spun wool and natural dyes.

Why a Wool Rug is Considered as the Best Choice?

Decorating with oriental rugs is a trend that has been spotted by leading interior magazines, stylists, designers, and bloggers. The way these traditional style rugs have been styled in a modern setting is rather unique and exciting. But it is not easy for normal people who are not trained in identifying rugs to know the distinction between an authentic handmade Oriental rug and a machine made a rug.

The most important thing first-time buyers must remember while buying Oriental Rugs from bespoke rugs manufacturer in UK is knowledge is the key to finding the perfect authentic Oriental rug. Many amateur buyers often fail to identify original Oriental rugs and end up with machine-made carpets. The main three factors that you must notice before buying an Oriental rug are the knot count, the fiber, and the color of the carpet.

Why are Wool Rugs the best choice?

The use of wool to make oriental rugs is a very ancient practice; nomadic tribes were the first to appreciate the advantages of wool.

Strength – Wool is an especially resistant material, which is capable of coping with wear and tear very well. Wool rugs are expensive but the additional expense is compensated by the rug’s longevity.

Color – Wool absorbs dye incredibly well so it gives all the wool rugs a very intense color.

Stain resistant – Compared to other synthetic materials from which rugs are made; wool is very stain resistant and easy to clean.

Good for all Seasons – It is a well-known fact the wool rugs are just perfect for winters as it helps to keep you warm but a lesser-known fact is that wool is actually good in summer as well. That is because it helps absorb humid air.

Old is gold – Wool rugs are one of a kind. The value of authentic Oriental wool rugs bought from bespoke rugs manufacturer in UK never diminishes, over the years a wool rug can lead to fabulous muted colors and can be easily passed on to the next generation as a priced possession.

Safety – Wool is an ideal material that reduces fire risk. If a fire breaks out on wool the flames will self-extinguish.

Tips to Take Care of Afghan Area Rugs

Rugs immediately make a room cozier and welcoming. The quintessential Afghan rug is made from natural materials like wool with a repeated octagonal figure on a red field. An area rug will help absorb sound, stabilize temperature and make it just a little bit easier to move around the house by giving your feet a soft landing pad. Decorating with rugs from any renowned Afghan rugs wholesaler in UK is a great way to add extra color, texture, and pattern to space. The right area rug can add a huge dose of style and color to your room but when a rug is placed on a hard floor such as wood or laminates the chances to slip or trip increases.

How to keep the area rug in place?

Place a nonstick, rubbery rug mat underneath the rug to keep it in position. Make sure that the rug mat is a few inches smaller than your rug. If the rug mat is too small then it won’t be able to anchor the rug above and if it is too large then the mat will protrude from the rug’s edges.

If the rug bunches on top of the carpet, you anchor at least one edge of the rug with furniture or try two-sided rug tape strips underneath the problem areas.

How to keep rugs in good shape?

Vacuuming– It is very important to vacuum the rug on regular basis to get rid of dust particles and maintain the beauty of the rug.

Rug Pad– You can use a rug pad as that provides a foundation for longer rug life and also prevents premature wear and tear caused by having a rug on an uneven surface.

CleaningTo avoid strains quick action is required in handling spills. For liquid spills remember not to rub as that might ruin the rug, firmly press a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible.

Shedding– Don’t get alarmed if the expensive rug bought from Afghan Rugs wholesaler in UK starts shedding. It is normal for the rug to shed for the first six months if you vacuum it daily.

Remove Creases– Reverse rolling helps to flatten rug creases with time. Give the rug some time to settle to get rid of rug creases.

Sunlight– It is important to position the rug away from direct sunlight as it causes your rug to fade over time. Rotate the rug regularly so that it fades evenly.

Best Places to Adorn an Oriental Hand Knotted Rug

 

Our home should reflect who we really are. And after living in a house for a long time you must feel like a change – a makeover for your home just like changes in our lives. There are hundreds of different ways to renew or update the look of your home. Using floor rugs is one of the best ways to give a makeover to your place. You may add a new rug or simply replace your old rug with a new one. A simple trick can bring a huge difference and your home will look brand new without doing much to the entire space.

When we say a great rug, we simply mean one and only hand knotted rug. Since ages, oriental hand knotted rugs have been highly coveted and praised because of their beauty, crafted designs and durability. These rugs are soft to feel yet tough enough to last longer. Now, have a look on the ideal places of your home where you can place your rugs –

Living Room

Adorning your living room with a beautiful hand knotted rug is always a great idea. These rugs could make the living room more comfortable and attractive. One of the greatest advantages of using oriental hand knotted rugs is that they can complement any place no matter what your theme and style of interior decoration. If there is large space in the room, you may consider using a large area rug. Even a smaller one can add some attractive accents to your living room.

Dining Room

Your next stop should be your dining room. A beautiful hand knotted rug is enough to set the tone and bring life to the space. For the dining space, we recommend you to choose wool as woollen rugs are easy to clean and maintain. Since wool is naturally repellent to dirt, you may find easier to keep the dining room neat and clean.

Bedroom

Embellishing your bedroom with a magnificent oriental hand knotted rug can give an elegant touch to the space. This rug is the perfect combination of warmth and comfort, beauty and style. For bedrooms, you can choose either wool or silk as its material. But silk may not last as longer as wool. So you can use the silk rug for the corners of the bedroom where it will receive less wear.

In fact, a hand knotted rug can be used anywhere in your room. All you need to do is pick the right size, shape and design so that it can match the rest of the decoration.

Hand Knotted Rugs and Hand Turfed Rugs – Where The Difference Lies?

The similarity between a hand-knotted rug and a hand turfed rug starts with the fact that both are made by hands. However, it is also fact that the dissimilarity between these two kinds of rugs starts exactly from the same point. There are immense differences lying in the process of manufacturing these two rugs – from complexity to required level of expertise, from time to value.

Let’s focus on the crucial differences between hand knotted and hand turfed rugs in the following discussion –

Manufacturing Process

A hand knotted rug is the result of great deal of skill and several days of labour. Usually, the quality of weaving depends on the numbers of knots per square inch. It means that higher density of weaving indicates superior quality.

When a manufacturer weaves a complex pattern, he needs to knot very densely. Obviously, the process needs a long time. A weaver may produce about 10,000 knots in a day. It clearly indicates that the entire rug will take much longer time than a hand turfed rug.

On the other hand, the process of manufacturing a hand tufted rug does not need the same level of skill and time as the hand knotted rug. Usually, the strands of wool are punched into a stretched frame with a hand-operated tool. After removing the rug from the frame a coarse fabric is attached to its back.

Difference in Longevity

A hand knotted rug usually lasts longer than a hand tufted rug. Sometimes, the former becomes a family inheritance since it lasts for generations. However, it does not happen with the hand tufted rugs.

Difference in Pricing

Since a hand knotted rug takes a lot of time, skill and effort to manufacture one, it is quite obvious that these exclusive pieces are expensive. The wholesaler of hand knotted rugs sells the exquisite ones at much higher price than other kinds of rugs. Hand tufted rugs cost lesser than the former as they don’t take that much skill, time and labour as the hand knotted pieces.

Remember that a superior quality hand knotted rug can be an asset of a collector. But before purchasing one, you need to make sure that it is an original piece sold by an authentic seller.

Rules for Selecting Genuine Hand Knotted Rugs

Hand knotted rugs is a time-honoured art form that involves knotting of single pieces of wool or silk yarn onto a loom to form a wool rug. According to wholesalers of hand knotted rugs, people often confuse hand knotted rugs with hand tufted rugs but the only similarity between hand knotted and hand tufted rugs are that both of them are made by hand. Hand knotted rugs are more expensive as the technique used to create a hand knotted rug is more complex and time-consuming than hand-tufted rugs.

What is a Hand Knotted Rug?

A Hand knotted rug is the epitome of elegance which employs a distinct age-old weaving technique to create a masterpiece. It is mainly made from wool or silk by skilled weavers into intricate patterns on a specialized loom. Millions of knots are tied individually to the warp threads tied to a loom, cut and then tied again to fasten the knots. The fringe of a hand knotted rug is vital for the construction of the rug as it is responsible for holding the rug together. Wholesaler of Hand Knotted Rugs differentiate hand knotted rugs from hand tufted or machine made rugs by examining the fringe as hand tufted and machine made rugs have the fringes sewn or glued to it.

Select your preferred type of knot– Basically, there are three types of knots in hand knotted rugs, namely, Persian knot, Turkish knot, Jufti or false knots.

Choose the material of the Rug– Hand knotted rugs are primarily made from wool, silk, silk and wool. Synthetic material is never used to make hand knotted rugs.

Each piece is unique– The skilled weavers make unique patterns and designs in each of the rugs to create a one of a kind piece of art. Each of the rugs is differently knotted and woven.

Examine the fringe

A decorative fringe in usually added to hand tufted or machine made rugs to disguise it as a hand woven rug. So, check if the fringe is not sewn or glued to identify a genuine hand knotted rug.

Check the color

New rugs will always have vibrant colors but you need to ensure is they are colorfast. If the rugs are not colorfast then in no time you will be stuck with a bleeding rug.

Select the right dealer

The right wholesaler of hand knotted rugs will never steal your hard earned money or give you a fake product. They will provide you guarantee on the product, return back policy and answer all your queries. Yarash Oriental Rugs is an authentic wholesaler of hand knotted rugs who has been manufacturing oriental rugs for generations. They also offer home viewing services so that you can select the perfect Oriental rug according to the dimensions of the room and the furniture arrangement.

How to Identify Genuine Oriental Rugs?

The Indian rugs seller in UK offers a wide array of meticulously curated Persian, Oriental and Moroccan style traditional rugs to woo art lovers across the globe. An oriental rug adds the perfect amount of warmth and charm to a room so interior designers often include authentic and beautiful oriental rugs from Indian rugs seller in UK to enhance the decoration of a room. If you have decided to make your home more welcoming by decorating it with oriental rugs then this can guide you to identify the genuine Oriental rug from the fake ones available in the market.

Check the back of the rug

Examine the back of the rug to identify its authenticity. The back of a genuine hand knotted oriental rug will be soft and will match the pattern on the top pile. If the back of the rug is made from hard plastic then your rug is not made from soft wool but synthetic material. Many rug makers use latex glue to hold the rug together in synthetic rugs which can create a health hazard for your family if you have a latex related allergy. A genuine Oriental rug made from wool would last for ages while a synthetic rug is not meant for prolonged use so select wisely.

Check if Natural Dye is used

Original Oriental rugs are made from natural dyes that are obtained from natural resources like indigo plants, the bark of trees, fruits and insects.Natural dyes might fade with time or when exposed to sunlight but even the faded effect accentuates the beauty and value of the rug. Synthetic dye lasts longer than natural dyes when exposed to sunlight. If you want more variety in colors then go for synthetic dye. Natural dye softens and harmonizes the appearance of the rug and gives it a traditional look.

Examine if the fringes are sewn or glued on

The fringe of a rug is very vital as it holds the rug together. The fringe of a hand-knotted rug will be an extension of the weave of the rug as it is the skeleton of the rug but if the rug is machine woven then the fringe will be sewn or glued on. It is often witnessed that Indian rugs seller in the UK sew fake fringes to a rug to make it look like a genuine Oriental rug. Examine the back side of your gorgeous rug to determine if the Oriental rug is a fake one.

Yarash Oriental Rugs is a leading importer and wholesaler of Oriental rugs in the UK. Our wide arrays of one-of-a-kind Oriental rugs attract customers all over the world. Our superior services and expansive inventory set us apart. Avail our home viewing service to select the perfect and exotic Oriental rug that will make your home look like a dream.