For a while now, we have been stocking some superb examples of Mamluk rugs. What is a Mamluk rug? Good question! First, a little history.

The word “Mamluk” is translated to “owned”. The Mamluk were a slave caste who were converted to Islam and served as soldiers under the the Muslim Arab Caliphs. Many of the these Mamluk soldiers were Circassians. On several occasions, they rose to power, overthrowing their retainers and for more than two centuries ruled over Egypt and Syria as the Mamluk Dynasty (1250-1517 AD).

During that time, the arts flourished. The age of the Mamluks is often referred to as a renaissance of Islamic arts. Mamluk rugs are particularly resplendent. These carpets can be described as having a sublime quality; more than just fine carpets, they are evocative works of art. Their remarkable composition of arabesques and geometric forms hint at the search to represent unity or singularity within complexity.

Some of my favorite rug producers have been successfully creating killer new Mamluks rugs! These rugs are being woven in Egypt, in Afghanistan, in India and in Pakistan. Check out some of these images. Click on the image for more info on the rug. And keep on rugging! Regards, Chris

Check out these killer new rugs woven in Afghanistan. They are based on the classic “Bird Rugs” of the Luri, Khamsheh and Qashq’ai tribes of Iran.

These rug are the inspiration of rug expert and author, James Opie. Animals, especially birds, often appear in the rugs of the tribal and nomadic weavers of Iran and Central Asia. This makes perfect sense when you think about what a central role animals (and nature in general) played in the lives of these weavers.

I am absolutely delighted by these new rugs! Not only is the quality exceptional: glossy handspun wool, tight weaving and rich saturated natural dyes! But the “drawing” of the rug is also fabulous and true to the originals: powerfully tribal yet whimsical and playful at the same time. I hope you like these rugs as much as I do.

Click on any image to take you to a full sized picture of the rug.

all my best, Chris

Various Uzbek Ikats

You may have heard of Ikats? They are woven fabrics made using a complex tie-died method. This technique has been used primarily in Uzbekistan and Indonesia. Well, you may also know that the Uzbek Ikats (know there as “abr”) and Ikat designs have been inspiring western fashion designers who have been incorporating them into clothes. They have also been showing up as furniture upholstery.

And now, Uzbek Ikat is used as the design source to create unique and beautiful rugs! Very cool. Well, actually, there is some thought that Ikat designs have been influencing rug design (and vice-versa) in Central Asia for hundreds of years. But, it is new to see such faithful recreations of Ikats done in naturally dyed pile rugs made in Afghanitan. Very cool stuff! Personally, I love these new rugs! There are a few rug producers that I know who have been playing with this idea. I am lucky to have recently acquired some fabulous examples of this new cross pollination art!

Check out some of these beauties!! (the rugs I mean!) Click on a rug image for more info and additional images.

Stop by the shop sometime and check out the new Ikat rugs!

all my best,

Chris

The Ersari rugs have long been some of the favorite rugs that we carry. In fact, I personally own one Ersari rug from this weaving project that resides in my living room. I also got the chance to visit the Ersari project when it was still situated in Pakistan some years ago. Here is an image from one of the larger looms they had going.

What I love about this particular rug is the proportions! They were able to fit a wonderful Engsi design into a 2′x3′ rug! And, the rug looks perfectly balanced and well articulated! I am sort of a fan of 2′x3′ rugs. When done well, I find that a 2′x3′ rug is sort of like reading a great short-story. You can really fit a lot into a small “canvas”. But let’s face it, there are a lot of really boring small rugs (in fact, there are a lot of boring large rugs too). So, to find such a rug sort of excites me!

What is an Engsi? Good question: used to be, they were thought to be prayer rugs. Now, it is more commonly thought they were the door cover (or tent flap) of the Turkmen’s yurt. But, there is still some debate about this. Here is a great discussion of the subject.

In any event, I love the various Engsi designs! There is something strangely evocative about the directional design. And, on this particular piece there is the wonderfull camel elem (the bottom border of the rug) depicting a camel train.

What more could you ask for in a small rug woven? It is woven in a project that supports health care and education, it is woven with natural dyes, handspun wool and it is beautiful!

best regards,

Chris