subject: Why Tibetan Rugs Are All The Rage [print this page] If youve just moved into a new apartment and are thinking of the perfect day to liven it up, then do consider investing in a Tibetan rug or two. Tibetan rugs are not only beautiful pieces of art, but their rich imagery and vibrant colours give a whole new personality and character to your apartment.
Being a resident of New York City, I got all the Tibetan rugs at my place from Doris Leslie Blau. This is an exclusive store which sells exquisite Tibetan rugs. They introduced their first collection of these rugs in the year 2001 and since then, there has been absolutely no looking back for them. They have been established as one of the market leaders. I have been deeply satisfied with the rugs that I purchased. Its been about eight years since I bought my first rug from them and it doesnt look a day more than a year old.
History
So what are these Tibetan rugs? Where did they emerge from? As the name suggests, Tibetan rugs were first woven in Tibet and now, in modern day Nepal. This is an ancient art form, but it was not one of the major art forms of the region so it did not find mention anywhere in the early pieces of literature gathered about these regions and civilizations.
In fact, the first references to the ancient Tibetan art of carpet weaving were not made by Tibetans themselves but actually by foreign travellers who visited the royal courts of the region. It first found mention in 1903, when Francis Younghusband carried out a military campaign in Tibet. Members of the party described in detail, a carpet making workshop which they passed on the way to the capital, Lhasa.
Designs
Tibetan carpets are rich and vibrant in their hues. A variety of designs are available, so you can take your pick. But the carpets designed in the nineteenth century are typically restrained in their designs and to a certain extent, colouring as well. This is simply because dyes were not freely available at the time and carpet makers had to restrain themselves to just a few natural colours. These include madder (or red), indigo (blue), browns and greys and of course, to add brightness, yellow.
Later on, from the early 1900s, a much wider range of colours became available to the craftsmen with the advent of a large number of synthetic colours. Thus, the designs from this era are more complex and coloured more brilliantly. Dragons, clouds, phoenixes etc. became a prominent feature of these carpets.
The best part about Dioris Leslie Blau is that the quality of the weaving is the best. In fact, these rugs are custom made with wool and silk and come all the way from the hills in Nepal. So, if youre looking to do up your place, then a Tibetan rug is what youre looking for- trust me, it can change the entire look and feel of your apartment!
