You can find a good selection of hand-knotted and tufted Indian carpets in the floor
covering departments of better department stores, area rug specialty stores and
select home furnishings retailers. Flat woven floor coverings such as Soumacs, Chain
Stitched, and Dhurries are also available at many floor covering retailers, furniture
stores, and large “everything for the home” centers. If you are working
with an interior design professional, he or she will select appropriate sources
for the type of rug and price level that will meet your requirements.
The history of carpet weaving in India dates back to the rule of the Mogul Emperor
“ Akbar the Great” in the 16th century. Following the conquering Emperor
into India, Persian weavers established the country’s first carpet-making
centers. The incomparable skill and artistry of those legendary weavers began a
tradition of rug-making excellence that has been handed down through the centuries.
The hand-woven Indian rugs available from home furnishings and floor covering specialty
retailers are made of the same high quality natural yarns and with the same painstaking
care as their centuries-old counterparts. And the same high standards of craftsmanship
and quality apply to the other types of pile carpets and flat weave floor coverings
rugs produced by India ’s renowned rug-makers.
The most well known are the hand-knotted rugs. These “woven treasures”
are the proud work of India’s master weavers. They are comprised of thousands
of hand-tied knots of yarn that follow an intricate design and color pattern. Multiple
steps are required in producing a finished hand-knotted rug, each involving days
of painstaking attention and care. Other, popular, less expensive types of
handmade rugs such as Tufted and Flat Woven Chain Stitch, Dhurries, and Sumacs are
also produced in India.
The answer is no. Until the 20th century, all hand-made oriental rugs produced in
India and the other rug-making countries were “one-of-a-kind.” These
costly creations are still woven in India today; however, thanks to a revolutionary
development that began in the 1970s, the craftsmanship, artistry, and enduring quality
of Indian rugs became available to a much broader market. The development, known
as “programming,” resulted in the production of multiple rugs of the
same design in a range of the most desired sizes and in a choice of designer-influenced
color combinations. It also offered the option of producing a rug to meet specific
size, design and/or color requirements of the purchaser.
The new approach did not change the way Indian rugs are produced. Programmed rugs
are still made from the finest natural yarns, and they require just as many hours
of painstaking attention and the same careful finishing steps as their “one-of-a-kind”
counterparts. However, the process has not only made Indian rugs more affordable,
it has made it possible for area rug retailers and interior design professionals
to satisfy the taste and space requirements of everyone who desires to own a genuine
hand-loomed Indian rug.
Rugs of India are known for their durability. With a reasonable amount of care,
a hand-knotted Indian carpet can last and look beautiful for decades. Depending
on their yarn, backing material, and their care, the various types of flat woven
rugs from India can be expected to have the life spans of similar, hand-made floor
coverings.
In recent years, the Indian government, the CEPC (Carpet Export Promotion Council)
and individual rug manufacturers/exporters have taken significant steps to eliminate
the practice of utilizing underage children in the production of hand-made rugs.
For its part, the CEPC has established very strict standards relating to the employment
of young people in the industry, and the organization works diligently to maintain
those standards. As an example of the seriousness with which child labor abuses
are viewed, violators of the Child Labor Code of Conduct are subject to cancellation
of their export privileges.
You should treat a hand-woven rug as you would any fine piece of furniture. A weekly
vacuuming and occasional rotation of the rug will ensure years of continued enjoyment
of its beauty and comfort. Stains can be removed with soap-free detergent and cold
water applied by a clean white cloth if attended to immediately. A professional
cleaning will remove stains and any ground in dirt, but it is not recommended for
at least five years. Your efforts will be rewarded with years of lasting satisfaction
and pleasure.