Main Street Oriental Rugs wins the 2013 Angie's List Super Service Award

Main Street Oriental Rugs has won the coveted Angie's List 2013 Super Service Award! This award is very exclusive, only given to the top 5% rated in the industry. We are very happy to see that so many customers were happy with their experience in the shop that they left their positive feedback with Angie's List. Though this is not our first time winning this award, It's been an especially great year, and we are looking forward to all of the new rugs and customers that we will meet in the next. 

GoodWeave Catalyzes Afghani Tradition

Afghanistan has been in tough conditions over the past decade. Harsh economic competition and violence have stifled many traditional industries, among them, of course, is rug weaving. But rug weaving is not just rug weaving. The presence of this industry is usually indicative of the local area's general condition.

To help remedy the situation, an organization known as GoodWeave is revitalizing the rug weaving industry in Afghanistan. Keeping the local weavers competitive with cheaper, machine-weaved rugs is a challenge, but it's one that GoodWeave is willing to take on.

More information can be seen in the article linked below.


http://www.goodweave.org/index.php?pid=9401

Indian Carpet Weaving through History

Indian Rug weaving, an industry born from an artistic expression, has been prevalent since the sixteenth century AD. Made of wool and dyed with vegetable dyes, all of these rugs clearly reflect the rich history of India, some even portraying India's tribal traditions. Some towns in Uttar Pradesh host the creation of Gabbeh Rugs, namely Bhadohi, Varanasi, and Khamaria. The most popular locations, however, are as follows;

• Mirzapur
• Punjab
• Amritsar
• Pathankot
• Jaipur in Rahasthan
• Kashmir
• Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh
• Darjeeling in West Bengal

These cities, mostly orbiting the Mirzapur Bhadohi belt, are the host of a rug weaving industry best described as a melting pot of culture and different styles of rug weaving. Many beautiful rugs are made in this area, due to the exploratory designs and ideas seen in the presence of so many different avenues of influence.

Is this area successful? You bet it is. Over five hundred thousand people are currently employed in the India rug weaving industry. All of the rugs produced here usually are shipped out the largest rug buying countries; Germany, The United States of America, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Canada, in that order.

Antique Chinese in Stock. What's its history?

We have recently stocked an Chinese antique carpet. Hailing from the 1920's, this Chinese rug certainly has its fair share of history, raising the question of  "What exactly led to the creation of rugs and those like it?". For centuries now, China has been the site of a strong rug weaving tradition, rivaling other traditional weaving areas, such as India. Starting around the 1600's, the industry eventually built up to the point of making fine rugs for the Chinese Imperial Court around the mid to late 1800's. After the turn of the century, and into the 1920's and 1930's, Chinese weavers began to feel cultural influence from the changing, modern styles. In response, Chinese-woven rugs began to shed tradition in favor of contemporary art-deco styles seen elsewhere in the 1920's. The rug that we have in stock was made during this key transition, and is clearly woven in the traditional style, making it a relic of tradition in what was a very turbulent time for the Chinese rug weaving trade. The "friendship" motif featured in the center of this rug captures the values of traditional Chinese weavers.

Guide to Oriental Rugs: The Hamedan

Hamedan, a small city in western Iran holds a spot as the oldest surviving cities in the entire world. Quite old. So old, in fact, that it is mentioned directly by name in the Bible, making the city effectively more than 2000 years old. This city is also the namesake of a type of hand woven rug. These Hamedan rugs are known for their predominantly geometric and floral designs, coming in a large variety of sizes and colors. Usually dyed with traditional vegetable dyes, these rugs are regarded as dependable and durable, standing the test of time with zeal and style. While these features are certainly nice, they aren't really much beyond what is expected from any oriental carpet. What makes a rug truly a Hamedan style rug, however, is whether is has a one-sided fringe, a trait seen in all true Hamedan rugs. The other side of the carpet is simply finished with a fabric stitch to ensure the integrity of the rug's weaving. This allows many Hamedan rugs to last well beyond the life expectancy of many other carpets. Their great durability and design sensibilities make Hamedan rugs stand out as furnishings that can truly stand up to the test of time.

Knots

As you may know, fine, hand woven rugs are made through the knotting of strings. While this is true, there is more than one way to go about tying these knots. Two common types of knot are the Persian and Turkish knots. Persian knots always open to one side, while Turkish knots open towards each other. Both of these types of knots are effective in making a fine carpet, though the Persian knot is by far the most common and popular method of knotting rugs. Another type of knot is the Jufti knot, which is also known as the "false knot". This knot only opens over every other string. While this type of knot halves both the workload and price involved in the creation of the rug, the end product is not nearly as fine as the results seen from the aforementioned Persian and Turkish knots. Since not all knots are created equal, those in the know factor in the density of knots in one unit squared of a rug, in order to ensure that rugs with poor quality and knot count are not passed off as fine rugs.

The Peaceful Tradition of Kurdish Weaving

Kurdistan: Woven by Tradition

The Kurdish Mainlands have been the home of many merchants and weavers, who have passed down their skills for countless generations. Over time, as with many areas with numerous people sharing the same art, the Kurdish-produced rugs attained their own style, slightly differentiating them from those produced elsewhere. This ran a perfect parallel to the Kurdish population, which developed a strong cultural divide from the areas around it, due to the influence of the silk road, as well as the geographical features surrounding the area. The status of Kurdistan as an autonomous entity, however, has been an increasingly difficult arrangement. Pressure from Iran, Iraq and Turkey, whose borders run through the geoculturally defined area, have caused a significant amount of conflict around Kurdistan, and have resulted in the discrimination of those of Kurdish descent. Despite these troubles, Kurdistan has somehow managed to stay in one piece thanks to their unique language and culture. 

While the Kurdish people were once very prosperous, trading along the Silk road, with trade established both east and west, they have come upon hard times. Now being mostly absorbed by Turkey, Iran and Iraq, much of their potential market has been changed to the industrial centers located far away from the Kurdish mainlands. This position is not ideal, as it is very hard to partake in the economy when cut off from it to such an extent. Many Kurds have been forced away from the artistic weaving traditions that have existed in their families for generations, pushed into agriculture in order to stay afloat. One may wonder what steps countries like Turkey, Iran and Iraq have taken to help Kurdistan maintain relevance in an increasingly harsh economic climate, and the answer is, surprisingly, not much. While Kurdistan is technically an autonomous state, its lands are officially recognized as parts of other, larger countries, so why hasn't anything been done to help out the Kurdish people, especially when "the integration of [Kurdistan] into the economy can [...] bring about a renaissance for the entire community" -Todd Lane ? The truth is, Kurdistan's wealth of artistic skill and economic value has been ignorantly cast aside throughout history. Discrimination of the Kurds dates back to the 1930's Ottoman Empire, when the Kurdish were systematically forced out of their homelands, with an estimated 700,000 displaced. Of those 700,000, roughly half eventually died, due to the difficulties of being thrown from their traditional homes. All is not lost, however, as the Kurdish plight is becoming a much more well known issue, and actions taken to discriminate against them have been met with harsh criticism by people all over the world. In addition to greater awareness for their cause, the Kurdish People have the support of new programs set up by the Kurdish Textile Museum to provide employment opportunities for women in poor economic situations.

As a global community, we should reflect on what the Kurdish people have been through, and what keeps them together. The borders established by Kurdistan's culture are stronger than any army, because they are made of something more than what you can see. Kurdistan's bonds are the peaceful, communal traditions that refuse to die, and continue to drive their people to peacefully coexist in the face of discrimination.

Sources
[1] [2] [3]

"Your Persian Rug" by Farrokh A. Ashtiani

Walk on me
..............Walk on me
............................Walk on me

Touch me
..............Touch me
............................Touch me

Open up the windows, let the warm golden dusts of the sun flow in and invigorate faces and bodies, yours and mine. Let the rays of the sun enhance our colors and revive our happiness. Come besides me to rejoice the melting pendulum of time, to recite our poetry and share our memories.

Descend to earth, come capriciously, pour a cup of tea and level with me. Tune the tar, play a song and fine-tune our continuous ecstasy and harmonious rhapsody. Glance at the bouquet of wildflowers that I have scattered at your feet, the ones that you often overlook when you pass by me.

These wildflowers were brought from the grasslands at the foot of mount Sahand, where once the Garden of Eden stood 7,000 years or so ago. There, butterflies rule the land, bees follow the butterflies and big bears feast on honey and gorge on blackberries while reclining on the grass watching the bees and the butterflies drawing their canvases and performing their dances.

Take a look at your faithful Persian rug.

My soul was created and my wefts were woven on those after-the-fog dawns when the ruby-colored berries sip water from morning dews. And cast their own beauties inside the droplets hanging on the edge of their leaves before that fist ray of the sun rises from the East.

If you ever visit my birthplace, then pause and take a deep breath. Inhale the fresh air and feel the scent of lupines, soothing aroma of heracleum leaves, and then listen to the euphonious melody of waterfalls echoing among the rocks in the valley. Hear the bells of the goats grazing far away on top of the hills. And watch the swallows fly by you so swiftly like the days of one's life or the farewell of the late day sun through the yellow autumn leaves.

These flowers are gifts from the lands far away where nature's passion recycles beauty and gives birth to irises, tulips and hyacinths. Tiny hands of little girls who joyfully filled their baskets with flowers picked these colorful selections for you and with their pastel dresses they matched the beauties of the flowers scattered in those fields. And in the midst of those flowerbeds among butterflies and the bees you could hear them cheer each time they found a ladybug chasing the ants on the surface of the leaves.

Like the honeybees that no man can predict the next motion of their dances and what path they may take in their romances, those little girls freely went from one flower patch to another in search of the most attractive blooms. In their excursion they kept brushing their colorful skirts against flowers and caressing the new blooms. And in their innocence they cross-pollinated flowers just like butterflies do and the bees. The following spring they will bloom into many new colors and create a new spectrum for you to see.

Hence I am holding at your feet the best of the wilderness, dandelions and clovers, gentians and daffodils.

These wild cyclamens were picked and gathered by a young bride wearing a lime colored dress, henna on her nails, a garnet necklace and shyness in her eyes and her rose-tinted face. Those majestic fields at the foot of Mount Sahand are the looms for the nature on which all these wild flowers are the wraps and wefts and the place where most elegant tapestries of nature are created.

Today is another joyous day so cast a glance at me.

Walk on me

...........Walk on me

.........................Walk on me

.......................................Touch me

.....................................................Touch me

...................................................................Touch me

I am your Persian rug, descend on me.

Look at these wild violets, poppies and forget-me-nots that were gathered for you. I am that forever-faithful rug, the memory of your parents, and I carry many stories in my heart and now at your feet.

Don't doubt me. Come sit by me to share our stories and tales of the past and savor this day or two that our beauties may last. Discover and relish the birthplace of these wildflowers that I have at your feet:

Pinch the thyme,

touch the chamomile,

and smell the rosemary.

I am your Persian rug, touch me and touch me, cast a beautiful glance on me and then walk on me.

Please, walk on me.

Cheer on the Ride for Kids Riders!

On September 22nd, the Ride For Kids riders will be making their way through Ellicott City. If you aren't familiar with it, Ride for Kids is a fundraising program for brain cancer treatment in children. Come by to cheer them on!
More information here.

Fringes: Cleaning, Repair, Trimming, and Removal

Oriental rugs are as unique as the people who buy them, and as such are often slightly altered to fit that person's tastes.  From hanging to binding replacement, many things can be done to an Oriental carpet that can change its functionality and appearance, but today we wish to talk about just one: fringe alteration.  Here at Main Street Oriental rugs, we offer a variety of ways you can customize your fringe.  Old fringes can be cleaned, yet worn ones require a small trimming to restore them to beauty.  Badly damaged fringes require a complete re-weaving in the area of damage or even an entire replacement of the fringe side.  Some modern rugs don't even have fringes, so some rug owners take their Oriental rug to have the fringe completely removed.  Fringe on many older Persian rugs are overcast, making this a popular alternative to traditional fringe design.  Finally, if a fringe is too long for a customer's liking, we can trim it to a more appropriate length.  For all of your rug cleaning, repair and alteration services, Main Street Oriental Rugs has the resources and experience to handle all area carpet problems.

Carpet Making in Yazd

     The city of Yazd has a long tradition in the textile industry. This is probably due to the fact that it was located along the Silk Road and was therefore was exposed to the materials and crafts. There was a time when a loom could be found in living areas of every household and its skills were passed down from generation to generation. The people of Yazd were able to adapt from just making hand woven to employing machines made weaving into carpet making. The designs in Yazd Persian rugs were also easily adaptable. They rugs began with images as Herat, ground in blue and chequer, but have since adapted into Kerman rug designs as well as Isfahan and Kashan styles. This adaptation of Kerman rug designs has led to Yazd market new designs that are of a finer weave, in better colors, and with an increased pile density.
 The textile industry has a huge influence not only on the economy in the city of Yazd but also in Iran as it is one of Iran's largest industrial centers. The reputation of the carpets from Yazd is that they are of a fine quality and are available in large sizes.
 Main Street Oriental Rugs in historic Ellicott City has a few rugs from Yazd on sale.
           

Carpet Weaving in India and Iran

     Carpet Weaving is most predominant in India and Iran. Both of these regions have a strong hold on the Persian and Persian-designed rug industry. However, both have had to adapt to economic crises at home and abroad.
     Carpet weaving in India has been around for hundreds of years. The two main carpet weaving districts are the city of Varanasi ,which is located in east-central India, and Jaipur, which is located southwest of Delhi. The weavers use Persian designs in their carpets. The most prominent are: Mahal, Herez, Bijar, Tabriz, Kashan, Sarouk, Aubusson, and Shirvan. The recent economic crisis has affected the carpet weavers in India as wages for them are in a slump.
     Carpet weaving in Iran has been a huge industry as it has been the source of designs. Because of this, Iran has gotten the reputation for being the best in Oriental rugs. The production of carpets in Iran range from Shiraz, Kurd, Hamaden, and Herez to finer qualities such as Tabriz and Nain. Persian rug prices were at an all time high in the early 1980's when it was believed that the Iranian Revolution would discontinue carpet exports. However, since then prices dropped and for quite some time so did demand which led a lot of weavers in Iran to abandon the trade. But recently, weavers have gone back   to their profession as there has been a surge in demand and a huge decrease in the value of Iran's currency the rial. Iranian producers still claim that Iran is the largest exporter of Oriental rugs with over 70 percent of its exports landing in over 50 countries.
The price of oriental rugs have not increased over the past few years.