Whether hung on walls as the decorative focal point of a room or gracing the floor to keep feet warm during the winter months, carpets are a fairly common household item worldwide. Some carpets, in particular oriental carpets, are luxury items that are praised for their intricate designs and remarkable craftsmanship, and remain in high demand throughout the antique world. Collectors and buyers alike have dedicated large amounts of both time and money to understand and appreciate the craftsmanship behind antique carpets.
The Pazyryk Rug was found in the Altai Mtns of Siberia in 1949. Considered the oldest carpet in the world today, it was woven in 5th century BC using a knotted technique. Image courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pazyrykfull.jpg
The First Carpets
While carpets prove to be one of the most labor-intensive and elegant items in the antique market, they were not always created to decorate the floors and walls of palaces. Early nomads were known to use what we call “rugs” or “carpets” to cover the bottoms of their living quarters. One of the first references to the carpet occurs in the early work of Homer. According to P.J. Ford in his book Oriental Carpet Design, Homer “frequently mentions the practice of drawing up a stool and spreading a rug on it for someone to sit down.”
“Homer Reciting His Verses to the Greeks” by Jacques-Louis David. Completed in 1794, it currently hangs in the Louvre in Paris. Image courtesy of: http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/jacques-louis-david/homer-reciting-his-verses-to-the-greeks-1794
Ford notes that the word Homer uses to describe the rug is “kivas,” which translates as “animal fleece.” It is expected that, like many early nomads, Homer and his peers would have used the wool or fleece of animals to function as rugs. “Kivas” is not the only word that appears in Homer’s writing alluding to a carpet-like item, however. The word “tapes” appears in his Odyssey, which Ford translates as a type of pile rug. It is possible that “tapes” could also refer to a felt rug, but more likely refers to a type of pile rug “which is made by weaving a piece of flat cloth into which woolen loops are sewn,” according to Ford. It is interesting to notice that Homer never describes the design or detail found on these rugs, making it easy to assume that early rugs were less intricate than oriental carpets today and were used for functional purposes only.
The Transformation of the Carpet
Our earliest reference to an elaborate carpet is from Ovid’s description in the legend of Arachne. Arachne “was turned into a spider after weaving a fabric depicting the amours of the Gods,” paraphrases Ford.
“Arachne” or “Dialectes” by Paolo Veronese, hangs in the Palazzo Ducale in Venice. A masterful weaver, Arachne was arrogant enough to depict the Gods’ affairs in her work. Image courtesy of: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veronese,_Paolo_-_Arachne_or_Dialectics_-_1520.jpg
Gustave Dore’s “Arachne.” The goddess Athena turned Arachne into a spider because of her impertinence. Image courtesy of: http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/gustave-dore/arachne
Hinting at the intricacies of woven tapestries, Ovid and his legend point to the burgeoning textile industry. As commercial trade routes were established between Europe and the Middle East, the design of carpets changed. Ford offers a few suggestions regarding how and why the simple carpet that Homer once referred to morphed into something that could be found in the homes of royalty across the globe.
Ford notes that it was either nomads or artists working in large textile factories who were responsible for incorporating colored dyes and geometric designs into early carpets. With the incorporation of dyes, shaggy materials, such as animal fleece, proved unsatisfactory. Also, the pile needed to be cut shorter, which requires a finer weave — and also allows for more elaborate designs. As the pile is cut shorter and shorter, Ford explains that the loops of the pile must be secured by knots to keep them from falling out. In this way, “the knotted carpet was born,” according to Ford. This was the start of the oriental carpet.
Oriental Carpets Today
Today, oriental carpets are sold all over the world and are produced throughout Asia and the Middle East. Carpets are classified by their country of origin: for example, there are Arab Rugs, Chinese Rugs, Persian Rugs, and many others. The design elements and color vary depending on where the carpet was made. Whether we are collecting oriental carpets or simply admiring their beauty, we can all appreciate the carpet’s rich history that dates back to ancient European and Middle Eastern civilizations.
Details from an Antique Kerman Persian Rug. Over 200 years old, it now serves as striking wall décor. Arabic lettering tells the name of the prince depicted in thread. Available at Beaux Arts Galleria.
