Tibetan rugs continue to grow in popularity - even as the traditional Oriental rug market is suffering - why? And why are they mostly made in Nepal and India - can they really be Tibetan rugs if they're not made in Tibet ?
Tibetan rug making is an ancient, traditional craft that stretches back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In their nomadic tradition, these rugs primarily served practical purposes - such as horse saddles, seating carpets, and wall hangings to keep out the harsh Tibetan winters. Therefore, by necessity, they are made to be extremely durable and warm.
Tibetan rugs are unique in two ways. First, the traditional weaving material - wool from Tibetan highland sheep - is some of the best wool in the world. The Tibetan highland sheep live at high altitudes and develop wool that is elastic and strong, with high lanolin content which produces a "soft hand". Second, Tibetan rugs are made with the unique "Tibetan Knot" which increases the density per knot over the traditional knot used in all other countries. The combination of these two factors results in durable rugs that are both soft and flexible, providing optimum warmth.
Tibetan culture developed under a number of factors, including its remoteness and the strong Buddhist influence that pervades every aspect of life. Tibetan rugs made in traditional designs are often made in abstract form incorporating Buddhist symbols such as the lotus flower and crane. Traditional colors are derived from vegetation, so are often more muted.
Tibet has a long history as a sovereign nation and was a fully independent state until the Chinese invaded it in 1949. Since that time, there has been much debate about the political and social issues surrounding this occupation, but we won't go into that here!
When the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 and was granted asylum in India, he was joined by over 80,000 Tibetan refugees. Today about 130,000 Tibetan refugees are all over the world, but the vast majority of them live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan - generally accommodated in large agricultural or craft-working centers.
Although most fled with very little more than the clothes on their back, over the past 50 years, the Tibetan refugees have managed to preserve their culture and identity. When the first refugees left Tibet , they brought with them their knowledge of rug making, and eventually opened weaving centers to both keep their heritage alive, and to manufacture products that would help them to be self-sufficient and not reliant on their host countries. Today, these centers are often hubs of social interaction where medical treatment is available, schools have been set up, and many made-to-order Tibetan rugs are hand made in the traditional Tibetan style for export across the world.
Many of the Tibetan weaving centers in Nepal and India that produce most of the Tibetan rugs for export often now focus on contemporary styles that are popular in the West. This is unique in that you can get a traditional, hand-made rug that will last for generations, in today's styles and colors. These rugs appeal to people who want quality, but are not fond of the "granny" look of traditional oriental carpets. Since they often have simple repeat patterns without borders, they may be placed under, adjacent, or away from a sofa without fear of creating an imbalance in the room.
Confusingly, you may also come across "Tibetan rugs" that are actually made in Tibet . While there may be a few traditional, high quality rug manufacturers still left in Tibet , more often, the rugs now made in Tibet are made with imported (cheaper quality) wool, cheap dyes, and are often made by machine! They are primarily made for the tourist market or for visiting Chinese delegations.
So, the reasons for Tibetan rugs' popularity should be obvious - high quality, beautiful designs - made by dedicated Tibetan refugees using ancient methods. Just remember, "Made in Tibet ", doesn't necessarily mean a traditional Tibetan Rug, and a beautiful, high quality, durable Tibetan Rug more often than not is NOT made in Tibet!
Susan Richardson writes for 1000s of Rugs.com, a company that supplies a wide selection of high quality hand knotted rugs at great value prices - including a large selection of unique Tibetan Rugs..
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