subject: Indian Carpets : A touch of aesthetic beauty [print this page] Indian Carpets : A touch of aesthetic beauty
Indian Carpet and floorings are an integral part of Indian homes and the history of Indian carpets features its development using mats and durries with a variety of material, ranging from wool, cotton, jute, coir, bamboo and grass.
References about woolen carpets and coverings in medieval literature indicates that carpets were known in India in early 500 B.C. but the most famous type of Indian carpets came to India in 16th century when Akbar brought Persian carpet weavers to India and established them in his re ign, in 1580A.D. Those Persian carpet weavers mixed their work with indian arts of weaving and royal tastes and the art bloomed and spread to the whole subcontinent with each area having its own specialties. The art of carpet weaving was influenced with european and chinese work with their mythical characters in their own way, too.
Since the beginning, wool or silks have been the essential material of the knotted carpets. The patterns of Indian carpets varied from vines and floral patterns, animal and bird figures and geometric and calligraphic patterns. Indian carpets during Jahangir`s reign (1605-27) were more superior. Materials like silk and pashmina were used that permitted greater number of knots to be included in the art works.
The Indian carpets are considered most technically accomplished classical carpets and renowned for their exquisite designs, elegance, attractive colors and workmanship.
The carpet weaver has gradually grown as an artist, a creator who could weave poetry in to his designs and every knot he tied, giving a touch of aesthetic beauty to his creations.
