What is meant when a rug is described as ‘antique’?
What is meant when a rug is described as ‘antique’? Technically, it refers to the carpet being at least 100 years old. A rug bearing an authentic date prior to l915 is clearly antique in 2015. Dates are sometimes altered, forged, inserted or otherwise hanky-pankied, and rugs with dates not in accordance with accepted stylistic or typological evolution must be scrutinized. What about carpets not bearing dates or other chronologically definitive inscriptions (i.e., a patron’s or artist’s name whose dates can be independently established)? We must fall back upon general, accumulated knowledge/ trade wisdom. Long experience tells an expert how
Is a Carpet Blog Needed?
Is a carpet blog needed? To inform, To promote. To get a conversation going. To provoke. To question. Taste. Style. Fashion. Overlapping terms, yet different in connotation. Taste is something that can be acquired, not necessarily bought, but gotten through acquisition, exposure, conversation, comparison. Taste can be improved, changed, transferred, expanded. Everybody can have taste, with a little effort. Taste is the mark of a civilized person. Style is different. Not to be confused with in style, see fashion. Style is innate, in born, part of a person’s makeup. You have it or you don’t. You can ‘t buy it,
Sustainability
“Sustainability” is currently a vogue word. A product, process, activity or style is vaunted as sustainable. But what does this mean, especially as it relates to carpets? A product or process is sustainable if it can be repeated into the future without producing cumulative ill effects on the environment, economy or peoples’ lives. So, how and to what degree are oriental rugs a sustainable good? Let us first look at what goes into a rug. There are foundation materials, pile materials and processes involved in putting them all together. The more sustainable the individual components are, the more sustainable is
Things to Know About Rug Repair, Cleaning and Conservation
Rug Repair, Cleaning and Conservation Repair, cleaning and conservation any hand-made rug is a specialized job which requires knowledge of the item and an understanding of the restoration process as to what can and cannot be achieved. Lida Lavender brings her wide knowledge of the subject to this field. For cleaning, she has an excellent team of cleaners for specialized cleaning and stain-removal. During the process of the repair, depending on the extent, Lida will keep a close eye on the progress. Her eye for detail will undoubtedly ensure a first-class result. We will give you an estimate and the
Rugs for Intellectuals
There are so many markets for decorative carpets. One can sort by geography, social class, travel experience, ethnographic background or occupation. But rugs for intellectuals, people who make their livings with their minds rather than their hands. Who are they? Where are they? And what kind of rugs are these? It has been suggested that people of the medical, legal, professorial and political classes, centered in Washington, D.C. and Boston, are the intended market. And the carpets are Heriz in type. Ask a dealer in these places and they will tell you that Heriz, Serapi, Bakshayesh and Goravan carpets do
Spotlight On The Special
Brussels Late 17th Century Tapstry, “Asia” from a Four Continents Series 9ft 4in X 18ft Designed by Lodowijk van Schoor Woven in the Workshop of J. van der Borcht I Wool, Silk and Metal Thread Pattern Wefts This extremely colorful and attractive late Baroque Flemish Tapestry with a popular iconography is the product of two important figures in seventeenth century Brussels weaving. J. van der Borcht I (c.1650 – 1713) was a master weaver and tapestry entrepreneur who established a most distinguished family tapestry firm and was followed by J. van der Borcht II, Jasper van der
Oriental Carpets and Absolutely Current, Up-to-the-minute design trends
Nothing says “traditional” (or almost) as an oriental carpet. Traditional rooms are always visually busy and all too often clutter is the next stage. There is a constant combat, a look at me first, of the furniture and objects. This centrifugal effect needs to be reversed. Nothing unifies better than a room sized carpet. In a recent House Beautiful spread of a suburban Maryland dwelling, we find a living room perfectly integrated by a softly toned late 19th century Tabriz in a huge semi-repeating medallion design in hues of rust, navy, pistachio and beige. The carpet fills the room and
Distressed Rug – Distressed for Success
DISTRESS FOR SUCCESS Distressed jeans, distressed rug, what’s the connection? Distressed jeans are new, but made to look used. Distressed rugs, on the other hand, may in fact be old, but not the right kind of old. So, they are “improved” to get the right kind of aged look through chemical treatment and careful abrasion. The result is that colors lighten, palettes simplify and wear becomes evident. They look like they’ve been around the block a few times, but almost paradoxically they seem fresh and versatile in modern contexts. In current lingo, they are the coolest floor coverings around. WHAT
Day & Night Earning Your Stripes
Day & Night Earning Your Stripes Two Contemporary Rugs in Allover Striped Patterns Day & Night are among the latest of Lida Lavender’s contemporary Indian rug creations and they differ as much as day & night. The designs of the “Organic” line ultimately derive from Moroccan rugs. In particular, the two tone old ivory/ grey brown palette has obvious Moroccan tribal references. But the texture is much heavier, firmer and full-bodied, than the Moroccan originals. And the designs are much more rigorous. “Day” is light, with beige predominating over variegated brown in a 2:1 ratio “Night” is just the opposite,
Spotlight on Special Rugs
Spotlight on Special Rugs. Highlighting the Variety and Depth of Lida’s Collection. Fabulous Color in an Oversize Heriz Carpet D-348 Antique Persian Heriz Serapi Rug 14′ x 21′ Dark indigo blue is such a frequent dominant (or at least a strong secondary) tone in oriental rugs, that it is both surprising and eye-refreshing when it is absent. Such is the case with our bold antique Persian Heriz carpet with a palette emphasizing sky blue, ivory and ruby red. More than any other village or town weave, Heriz area carpets, be they of the Bakshayesh type with allover
