“Why should I bother to buy an oriental handmade rug, when I can find a similar machine-made piece for much cheaper? “ 

You might have found yourself asking the above question before if you have ever been looking to buy a rug?! Answering that question is not so easy or straight forward.

Machine-made rugs generally contain different synthetic materials put together with machines and typically some glue at the back.  These products, like many others, will last for a few months or a couple of years. Even so, deposing problems occur as machine-made rugs are not considered “green” contributing towards the pollution of our environment. Due to the synthetic materials used in the production, which are at times flammable, these rugs are prone to cause allergies in some cases.

Contrarily, handmade rugs, including our beautiful oriental rugs, consist of wool, silk, cotton or a combination of all, making them recyclable and among the “clean and green” products which are not flammable. Additionally, handmade rugs are not a mere product. Behind a handmade carpet, there is plenty of history and culture representing ethnic people who throughout hundreds of years knotted designs incorporating this task a part of their culture and habits. This fact often adds a mystic and romantic touch to oriental rugs.  Handmade, oriental rugs can hardly be perfect, but ironically, this gives them an extra charm that adds character to the piece. Whereas machine-made rugs usually look too perfect with no mistake with no particular style or grace.

People who have had oriental handmade rugs know that after a while it is difficult for them to detach from their rugs. If the oriental rug is selected carefully, correctly and kept well, they also have the chance to increase its value over time. On the contrary, machine-made rugs after a specific time will have to be disposed of, regardless of its original cost. Besides, as it cannot be decomposed, it will only add unnecessary waste pollution to today’s globe.

The difference in price can be concluded by the fact that handmade rugs and far more beautiful and complex to produce. As they last much longer, one can say that you are saving your money in the long run.

Textiles are among the earliest handicrafts that man has created. Not only they enabled people to protect themselves from cold and heat, but they also represented an identity for a specific population group or as an indication of privileged social status. Textiles had its very distinct place in ancient civilisations across the world including China, India, Persia, Egypt and South America. Hence, the human being started very early the process of perfecting and sophisticating their textiles and fabric, distinguishing themselves from the other cultures, first by hand and then by simple machines.

Antique textiles and antique rugs have always had their unique values and positions in museums and among the collectors. Textiles prices during the last 30 years have generally been rising in international auctions around the world. Among them, the Qajar Period (End of 18th to early 20th), plays a significant role both in Persian rugs and textiles. During the Qajar Dynasty, the production of handmade rugs and textiles flourished and had substantial improvement since.

From the 24th to 29th of June, there is an indispensable exhibition of Antique rugs and Textiles at our main Wembley showroom, where you could view a collection of exceptional and sublime pieces from late nineteen to the early 20th century. You could also view and obtain a copy of our newly published book called: Persian Textiles, The Ramezani Family Collection, by Dr Marie Louise Nabholz- Kartaschoff

Among hand made rugs, antique rugs have their distinguished place. It is true that today in some countries like Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan they can still achieve to weave beautiful high-quality pieces, but in general, rugs that were made in the past, particularly from 17Th to the first quarter of the 20Th century, generally have a better selection of wool, silk or cotton.
Indeed life was much simpler in the past, and people involved in spinning, dying wool or silk had more time to spend. As weavers had more time, they were more comfortable in performing their tasks. 

Besides, natural and vegetable dyes were used more often than today. In addition to this, there have been essential ateliers all around in Persia and India who used to receive orders not only from the Persian court but also from European courts.
You can still find a few numbers of such pieces in the hands of dealers, carpet shops or collectors.
Antique pieces are highly decorative and can match very well both modern and classic interior decors. Hence most of the interior designers propose them in their projects. Among most decorative antique rugs, we can name Heriz Serapi, Mahal, Kazaks, Ushak, Kerman, Mashad, Tabriz, Kashgai, Lahore, Bakhtiar, Shirvan, Karabakh, Tehran Garous etc.

We should also add that some of the antique rugs are so popular that there are regularly new productions made with those designs like Garous, Kazak or Ferahan. Recently, the prices of some antique rugs have increased dramatically.
Having an antique rug at home and thinking that the piece has been created by the hands of people who made it with love, in the past, is an indescribable feeling.

From 24Th to 29 Th of June 2019, we will host our In house exhibition which we will offer a 10% discount on all antique rugs.

On the 20th March, also known as the first day of Spring, Persians (Iranians) celebrate their New Year. In the equinox calendar, the Nowruz represents the "New Day". All Persians around the world and other neighbouring countries which belonged to the Persian Empire (2,500 years ago) such as Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, some Pashtuns people in Pakistan and everyone who follow and practice the ancient religion of Zoroastrian, celebrate the New Year on this date. In short, Zoroastrians follow three main principals in life at all time: Good Thoughts, Good Words and Good Deeds. Nowruz traditions include preparing seven different symbolic pieces, known as the Haft-Sin where each item has to start with the letter "S" in the Persian language. They represent the ancient Persian culture and symbolises longevity, Love, wealth, good health, happiness, hope for the coming year.

As you can see in the picture above, the irreplaceable items and symbolic definitions are as follow:

1. "Sib" (Apple): Its main symbolic definition is "health."

2. "Sabze" (Grass): Symbolizes nature and exhilaration.

3. "Senjed" (Sea-buckthorn): Is an essential item which symbolises wisdom.

4. "Serkeh" (Vinegar): In Persian literature, vinegar represents ageing with grace.

5. "Samanu": Made from germinated wheat, is specially prepared for Nowruz and represents power and bravery.

6. "Seer" (Garlic): Considered as a stimulation symbol, some believe that it represents peace and not to invade others' rights.

7. "Somaq" (Sumac): Sumac is a symbol for Patience and Tolerance.

The New Year celebrations last for the first 13 days of spring, full of joy and hope for the upcoming of spring where everything comes back to life. During this time, it is a custom to go and visit your relatives to regain news of each other and also to leave behind and to forget any possible past problems that it may have occurred. Children, in particular, look forward during the whole year to such festivity since they receive new clothes and gifts while visiting and welcoming guests and relatives. Many save money for such an event to purchase new items whether it is a car, an oriental rug, furniture, etc.

In the spirit of Zoroastrian tradition, we will be offering a discount of 10% on all rugs purchased until the 31st March 2019. To receive your discount, visit our showroom in Wembley, from Monday to Friday from 09.00 am to 06.00 pm or by appointments during weekends.