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Classical Carpets often make their fringes (the exposed warp)
extra long, and braids them in a decorative knot, which is
something seen in paintings of the older carpets, although not
so much in the actual surviving examples, except in the best
preserved ones, like the ones in the Transylvanian churches that
were hung on the walls rather than used on the floor, because
the fringes are often the first things to wear out in a carpet.
Looking at the older carpets that have served as
models for their production, you also see colored extra long
kilim ends and extra wide colored selvedges. They have
incorporated all of these details into their carpets, so they
are not only well drawn designs, with beautiful vibrant colors,
but the underlying structure is also beautifully made, which is something absolutely unique in modern carpets,
and a signature of their work.
Their carpets have a very low pile, 1/8” to 1/4”
of an inch, which is typical in both old carpets and in the best
made modern rugs. |
Some might ask, isn’t a higher pile more
luxurious and longer wearing? Actually the lower pile carpets
are more durable and wear more evenly, as less of the length of
the yarn is exposed, since the “end grain” of the knot is
actually more durable. Also contrary to what one might think at
first, Chris feels that the low pile is actually more
beautiful, as it makes the actual structure of the carpets, the
integrity and intelligibility of the individual knots, more
clear and coherent. “Our pile is hand cut, not machine sheared,
just like the crafted surface we see in the old rugs. And
our carpets are washed only with mild soap and water, no
chemicals or acids of any types are used, so the integrity of
the yarn and the wool’s
essential lanolin oils are retained.”
Classical Carpets uses only handspun long staple wool,
with a 15%-20% mohair content (from Afyon). And though some may
debate this, there is no question in Chris’ mind that this is
the best way to make a durable carpet. The handspun wool is
stronger, as it preserves the full length of the wool fibers,
and it retains the essential lanolin, giving carpets
unparalleled softness and handle. It also, as described
earlier takes the natural dyes in a more beautiful and subtly
varied way. |
