Pakistan Rugs

Background and History

Oriental Rugs

Pakistan rugs are a full fledged member of the Oriental rug family. And in order to understand the features which differentiate the Pakistan rug from other Oriental rugs, we must first understand the history and characteristics of the general Oriental rug.

Oriental rugs are hand-knotted rugs with, generally designed with intricate oriental styles. The first oriental rugs are believed to have been weaved by the Muslim nomadic tribes of South Asia. These wanderers would weave small rugs with repetitive geometric patterns, which they then used as floor coverings, wall decorations and saddle bags. As they traveled around in search of new feed for their cattle, they would bring their rug weaving ideas to new places.

Persia was probably the first place that developed Oriental rug weaving into a sophisticated art and craftsmanship. The height of this rug period was in the 1500s-1700s during the Safavid Dynasty. The Shas (name of the rulers at the time) set up royal weaving workshops, and Shah Abbas even weaved himself. The rug designs morphed from simple geometric designs to more intricate and curvier designs.

Oriental Rugs come to Pakistan

Many historians actually believe that oriental rugs entered the Indian stage as early as the 1100s, when they were capture by the Ghaznavids and the Ghauris, two groups of Muslim warriors from the west. However, either way, it is known for certain that rug weaving became a dominant craft during the 1600s, in which era the Munghal dynasty took over India. Based on Munghal designs, the Indian rugs were famous for both their beautiful styles and unique quality.

In 1947 Pakistan was declared a country, separate from India. At this time, most of the Muslim carpet makers settled around Lahore and Karachi. Hence the foundations were layered for the major the major rug weaving industry of Pakistan, today- which centers around Lahore and Karachi.

Today, carpet weaving is one of the most dominant industries and revenue builders in Pakistan.

How To

Pakistan rug weaving is not like Latch Hook Rugs, where you can read a little instruction guide and in a matter of hours you are a latch hook pro. Most people learn Pakistan rug weaving from another Pakistani rug crafter. However, we will describe the process, just to give you a little idea of the process.

The rugs are made on strong heavy wooden vertical looms. Different sized looms are used for different size carpets. Colorful yarn usually hangs from overhead for easy reach First, warp threads, which are strong thick threads are stretched across the loom. Then the wefts or vertical threads are strung across. Once that it done, the Pakistani weavers knot the threads around the looms and cut the excess yarn with a special knife called a churi, both at a frightening speed...

Customer Information

Like most rugs, the quality of the rug is determined by the number of knots per square inch. A good quality oriental rug is generally 500-1000 square inches or more. How do you know how many knots there are in a square inch? This can actually be quite difficult- especially since there are sometimes double loops in one not. You can find some tips at http://www.jacobsenrugs.com/countknots.htm.

Often, however, you will be speared from the pains of counting knots with numbers which mark the knots per inch. Pakistani numbers come in the following format x/y, x being the number of knots along the warp and y being the number of knots along the weft. So for example if you find a rug that says 22/24 you would multiply 22 by 24 to find a total of 528 knots per square inch.

Usage

Every Pakistan rug is an exquisite piece that can add style and richness to anyplace in your home or office. Pakistan rugs are far too expensive too simply throw around the house like a doormat but should be reserved for special places. Due to there incomparable quality and timeless designs, these masterworks can literally remain in your home for your lifetime. Therefore, it is often advised that you choose the other furniture around your Pakistan rug design and not vice versa. There is much to choose from in Pakistan design, but you just have to choose one that you like.