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Srinigar Carpets and Soft Furnishings

Indian carpets are known throughout the world for their designs, elegance, attractive colours and workmanship, and the same applies to the cushion covers and other soft furnishings. There are hundreds of basic design styles most commonly sold every year.  Nearly all styles of rugs are made mostly from wool.  The type of fibre used is very important and gives carpets and dhurries their durability.   Dhurries are flat-weave rugs made from mixtures of cotton, jute and wool and are chemically dyed.  They may be striped in design or have different motifs, and come in an extensive range of colours.  Dhurries are produced throughout India, but the main area of production is the country’s North West.

carpet  

 The history of carpet making in Kashmir dates from the 1300s.  The nomadic tribes of the region were the carpet makers.  Instead of killing their animals, they wove the wool into carpets.  The carpets were spread on the floors of their tents to provide protection against insects and dirt, and hung from the walls to give some protection against the cold winds.  They were also used as saddles, for beds and as prayer mats.

Superior Quality and Craftmanship

The high quality of work that is done on rugs and wall-hangings means that they are in great demand.  The chainstitch is done with a hook called an ‘ari’, rather than needle.  Tiny stitches are used to cover the entire area.  The backgrounds are worked in a single colour, made up of a series of coin-sized concentric circles which impart a sense of movement to the design.  The figures or motifs are worked in striking colours.  It is the colours of Kashmir carpets that distinguish them.  The wool or silk is dyed using vegetable colours.

 

 Our curtain fabric and bedspreads are made using crewel work.  Crewel work is very similar to the chainstitch used on the carpets.  It is also chainstitch using wool on a plain background, but the designs do not cover the entire surface.  The background is not embroidered so the stylised floral patterns stand out. 

Srinigar Carpets Catalouges


Original Selection

Our chainstitch rugs and cushion covers incorporate the design heritage of the many disparate, but interrelated tribal cultures from the Balkans in the west, through Turkey, Persia, Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan to India in the east.  The patterns vary from ornate floral patterns and vines, birds and animal figures (curvilinear) to geometric designs (rectilinear) inspired by the simplicity of the tribal weavings of the nomad’s loom, and influenced by their traditions and religious beliefs.  The intricate patterns of these carpets create a sense of luxury, elegance and style; fit for the royal courts of the Mughal Emperors.

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