Tunisian Oriental rug | 239 x 173 cm | Nr. Z-1255

Floral Indian Oriental rug with border and all-over pattern (fine)

Origin	Tunisia
Dimensions	239 cm x 173 cm (= 4.1347 m²)
Construction	hand-knotted
Material	Pile: wool Weft & Warp: cotton
knots per m²2	240.000
Pile height	4mm
Year of manufacture	2005
Colour
Edition	one-of-a-kind piece

Origin

The pattern of this rug is inspired by the patterns of classic Oriental rugs. This rug, however, was knotted in India.

Exactly when rug production began in India is unknown. The first rugs were probably made there during the cultural flowering of the Mughal dynasty in the middle of the 16th century. In the middle of the 19th century, with the decline of the Mughal dynasty, Indian rug production fell into crisis. European companies whose only goal was export to the West took the place of the traditional court manufactories. Very similar rugs were produced in different towns and standardisation set in. Today the designs of hand-knotted Indian rugs can hardly be attributed to individual regions any more. Instead, the workshops have specialised in interpreting European and traditional Iranian designs adapted to Western taste. In terms of quality, rugs from India benefit from the long tradition of craftsmanship and the high quality of Indian materials. The pattern of this Oriental rug is inspired by classic Persian rug designs. This rug was knotted in India.

The exact date when rug production began in India is unknown. The first rugs were probably made in India during the cultural flowering of the Mughal dynasty in the mid-16th century. In the mid-19th century, with the decline of the Mughal dynasty, Indian rug production fell into crisis. European companies whose sole aim was export to the West took the place of the traditional court manufactories. Very similar rugs were produced in a range of different towns, and a strong standardisation set in. Today, however, the designs can hardly be attributed to individual regions any more. Instead, the workshops have come to specialise in European and traditional Iranian designs adapted to Western taste. In terms of quality, rugs from India benefit from a long craft tradition and from the high quality of Indian materials.

Pattern

The ornate border forms a wonderful contrast with the centre and shapes the transition at the edge of the rug.

The lush floral motifs of this Oriental rug are elegant and full of variety. The graceful plant symbols, depicting blossoms, leaves and branches, are artfully intertwined.

This Oriental rug has a great deal of character. The labyrinthine background is hypnotic and incredibly detailed. The repeating elements in the central field of this Oriental rug have no specific centre (a so-called repeat pattern). The recurring design feels calming without ever becoming dull. Rugs with a repeat pattern are also described as all-over patterned.

The colour of this Oriental rug is cream white.

Material

The pile of this Oriental rug was hand-knotted from high-quality new wool. New wool is obtained by shearing sheep gently. New wool is a renewable, natural raw material with a number of impressive qualities: thanks to the natural lanolin in the wool, the surface repels droplets of water and is naturally protected against dirt. Wool also provides excellent thermal insulation, helps regulate the indoor climate and dampens sound. The weft and warp threads of this Oriental rug are made of cotton. This versatile material is tear-resistant and elastic, which makes it particularly well suited to a hard-wearing foundation weave.