Welcome

Ah, time does fly and my last newsletter was in November. Sorry, I know a number of you have been asking when I plan to do the next one.

After a slow start to the New Year for most of those in oriental carpets, business has warmed up and clients who were mulling over Christmas have now taken the next step.

I hope you have a good Easter.

Seaching for runners

Runner - a narrow rug or carpet

Most clients believe that runners are easy to find but in fact they are one of the most difficult. The main reason for this is getting the right size for there is generally little leeway in way of width say 5 cm and rugs tend to come in approximate metre lengths but hallways don't. For clients who need a runner of over 6 metres they are rare. This is because as a runner increases in length the is a greater chance of tension problems so causing the width to be narrower at one end. It would be easier for the weaver to do a wider runner but our halls are too narrow so generally runners don't exist in more than 6 m. I have therefore at times sought out two runners that compliment each other for long corridors.

Tips

Where not to have a rug

An oriental rug should never be used as a bath mat as it will be absorb the water. This can cause at the very least colour run, but also mould and mildew and in time the rug will rot. Similarly I would avoid having a rug in front of the kitchen sink again because it would get wet.

The exception for the kitchen would be using an old thread-bare rug which is close to death's door anyway. The rug can still be much loved and attractive despite being old.

If you put it close to a fire be careful about the fire spitting and damaging the rug.

Storage

I regularly have clients who have used their loft to store a rug. Be very careful here as moths love dark undisturbed places to lay their eggs and the loft is a perfect spot for them. Do think seriously about why you are keeping a rug which is not being used.

If there are good reasons for storing ensure that the rug is firstly clean, free of dirt and given a moth deterrent front and back. If the rug is too big to just roll you will need to fold it in 1/2 lengthways pile inwards and the same again if needed. Then fold in 1/2 end to end until is the required size. If a rug is thick piled such as a Chinese, Heriz or Gabbeh fold with the pile outwards which prevents excessive strain on the foundation. Tie the rug with string and wrap it in natural fibres so that the rug can breathe. Do check it every few months for moth damage.

Glossary - J

In each newsletter I cover a letter of the alphabet - here the letter 'J' - with a selection of rugs and technical information.

Joshagan

This is a town where rugs have been woven since the 18th century. It is located in northern central Iran, southwest of Kashan. Joshagan is noted for its distinctive design (see right) characterised by an allover pattern of flowering lozenges. Rugs in Joshagan also have the gul henna design. Production is small and standard of workmanship is generally high. The higher quality rugs are generally referred to as Meymeh.

Other weaving groups such as in India copy this Joshagan design.

Jufti Symmetrical knot

Piled rugs in places such as Persia, Turkey and Pakistan the symmetrical or asymmetrical knot is used. The Jufi knot is tied over a greater number of warps than the standard two. In Persian rugs it may be used in areas of solid colour so doubling the speed of weaving. However such a rug is not so durable. There is a Jufti asymmetrical knot as well.

Jozan, Jogan

Jozan is a village close to Malayer in north west Persia. They are similar in style to early 20th century Sarouks. They tend to have a central medallion and Shah Abbas field so a different palmates and floral forms. The symmetric knot is used with double wefts which may be blue and there are about 200 knots to the square inch.

Jijim or Cicim

A Jijim or cicim is rather ambiguous term. It is a warp faced fabric ranging from 4" to 16" width woven on a narrow loom. The length can be over 50 feet. The resulting strip which is two-sided is cut into equal lengths and sewn together to create rectangular covers. The strips may also be used decoratively.

I have also seen it woven similar to a rough blanket with panels sewn together as seen here.