The world of hand knotted rugs is one of culture, craft, and the extraordinary devotion of skilled artisans. By their very nature, hand knotted area rugs are one-of-a-kind—impossible to reproduce due to the unique variations inherent in the touch of the artist’s hand. The intricate art of hand knotting rugs is a rare and dwindling craft in our modern era.
Learn more about the artisanship involved in every hand knotted area rug.
The Knotting Process
Each hand knotted rug is the product of unwavering dedication and skill. Weaving a hand knotted carpet involves impressive execution from start to finish. Production begins with the best quality materials, which are hand carded and hand spun into varying types of yarn (often high quality, 100% wool). After the yarn is naturally dyed by hand, the knots are carefully tied, one at a time, onto a durable foundation.
The hands of masterful weavers meticulously tie each knot with techniques that have been used for generations. On average, each rug is composed of over one million knots. Much like pointillism, in which the artist applies small dots to a canvas to form a larger image, these individually hand tied knots make up the overall design of every hand knotted rug.
The knotting process is also an ode to patience and perseverance; weavers will work for many months to bring a large rug to life. It’s an ancient, time consuming craft required to make superior, long lasting rugs. It’s not only the designs woven into hand knotted area rugs but also the traditions and cultures from which they originate that makes them remarkable.
The Investment and Value of Hand Knotted Rugs
Hand knotted rugs are significant for their decorative appeal, yet they possess much more. The rugs’ individualistic designs, vibrant hues, and lustrous textures instantly elevate a room’s aesthetic appeal. One can treat decorating with a hand knotted carpet like placing any artwork in a space.
Still, hand knotted area rugs are much more than decorative pieces. They are, of course, beautiful, but they hold a more profound significance. These rugs tell a story about the weaver’s rich culture or artistic vision. The tradition of rug weaving as a vehicle for folktales gives hand knotted rugs invaluable meaning, for antique and contemporary pieces alike.
But Tufenkian goes beyond carpets. Every purchaser of a Tufenkian rug participates in supporting The Tufenkian Foundation. Through our foundation, we address the most pressing economic, social and environmental challenges facing Armenia and surrounding regions. Since 1999, we’ve completed dozens of projects including a women’s support center, church and monument protection, and much more.
Hand knotted rugs stand the test of time. With carefully tied knots and high quality materials, their durability and longevity are unmatched. Hand weaving lends itself to resilience through the careful placement of every knot. Unlike machine made counterparts, hand knotted rugs age with grace. Their colors mature beautifully, yet they maintain the luster that set them apart.
Top Designs and Styles in Hand Knotted Rugs
Both hand knotted antique and contemporary rugs hold equal allure for collectors and designers. Antique rugs embody a rich history, while modern rugs can embrace old and new visual interests, or reinterpret traditional motifs in a modern form to provide a new and interesting perspective.
Among the most popular rug designs in antique and modern rugs are:
- Transitional
- Organic modern
- Geometric
- Gabbeh
- Heriz
- Kilim rugs
Transitional
Transitional Tibetan rugs bridge the gap between traditional and modern aesthetics. They incorporate elements from both styles, creating harmony that appeals to a wide range of design preferences. These rugs may feature a combination of patterns and color palettes. Transitional designs, such as the Shanghai w/Hemp Sheepskin rug, effortlessly complement both classic and contemporary spaces, making them a versatile choice for home decor.
Organic Modern
Organic modern Tibetan rugs like our Luminance Rusty Slate carpet embrace a more nature inspired approach, drawing from the organic world. These rugs often feature motifs inspired by flora and fauna or landscapes, but may also pull from abstract art. The earth tones and natural hues in contemporary patterns offer wide appeal.
Geometric
Geometric Tibetan rugs showcase the timeless appeal of precise shapes and patterns, featuring bold lines, symmetrical designs, and intricate forms. Geometric rugs such as the Monolith Pine are visually striking, effortlessly becoming the focal point of any space. They often use repeating patterns to add depth and visual interest. You’ll see them in contemporary and minimalist interiors, as well as spaces that embrace a more eclectic or bohemian aesthetic.
Gabbeh
Renowned for their simplistic beauty and vibrance, Gabbeh rugs originate from nomadic tribes of Iran. They have bold, geometric designs with nature inspired hues reflecting tribal traditions. Gabbeh rugs are beloved for their artistic yet rustic charm and marked spontaneity in the weave.
Heriz
Heriz rugs traditionally feature a large, central medallion surrounded by intricate ornamentation demonstrating the Iranian culture from which they come. Artisans weave these highly durable carpets using high-quality wool colored with rich, natural dyes that age beautifully over time.
Kilim
Kilim rugs are a beautiful example of flat weave techniques in the hand knotted rug category. They come from various Asian regions and incorporate tribal designs with nature inspired shapes and floral patterns in a vibrant, geometric arrangement. Kilim rugs are durable, unique, and versatile, with solid and reliable construction.
Tufenkian Rugs: The Epitome of Desirability
The rugs in our hand knotted collection are extremely handmade, the way carpets have been for generations. Hand knotted rugs enjoy a unique status in the worlds of artistry and design.
Tufenkian hand knotted rugs are crafted with expert care and attention to detail. Our weavers share a reputation established by weavers across generations, possessing the same skill and traditional artisanship.
Tufenkian rugs honor the tradition and culture of the rugs we source and produce by utilizing only the highest quality materials, from luxurious wool to vibrant silk, as well as natural dyes to carry on the legacy of crafting carpets. Weavers produce every hand knotted area rug to stand the test of time in construction and design and embody the epitome of excellence. These rugs are destined to become heirlooms, not just by virtue of their beauty, but also because of the artisanal processes by which they were made, the character of their fine materials, and their capacity to grow more beautiful with age..
FAQ
Are hand knotted rugs worth the investment?
Because they are inherently valuable, yes, hand knotted rugs are worth their cost.
When assessing the value of a hand knotted rug, it’s essential to evaluate what is woven in. Hand knotted rugs may come with a higher cost, but their artisanship, durability, and longevity are unparalleled and increasingly precious because of all that is woven into them. The quality of materials, their meticulous construction, and the innate skill of the weaver contribute to the rugs’ exceptional worth, creating a floor covering that also serves as a work of art.
How do you tell if a rug is hand knotted or machine made?
Discerning between a hand knotted and machine made rug requires an eye for construction techniques. You can distinguish a hand knotted carpet from a machine made one when you know what to look for:
- It is more expensive because of the resources required to produce it
- The design on the back of the rug is a mirror image of the front side.
- You can see and count each knot.
- The fringes (whether left visible or sewn into the binding strip) are the ends of the warp threads and part of the rug’s structural foundation.
When you examine the back of the rug, scan for asymmetry and feel the texture. Factories produce machine loomed rugs to create a precise uniformity and repeatable design across multiple carpets. In contrast, skilled artisans craft hand knotted area rugs that feature charming irregularities, innate and valued in this form of construction.
Learn more about the differences between hand knotted and hand tufted carpets.
What should you look for in a hand knotted rug?
Consider several elements when looking at hand knotted rugs, including:
- Materials: The quality of materials used significantly impacts the rug’s appearance and texture, with components like high quality wool also offering increased durability.
- Knot Density: A well woven, hand tied rug can include up to 1 million knots. The higher the knot count, the higher the value.
- Design and Aesthetics: Whether a traditional style, a contemporary reimagining of ancient motifs, or designs created for modern rug tastes, elements of the rug’s design can indicate its heritage and authenticity.
When in doubt, consult an expert.
Do all hand knotted rugs have fringe?
While all hand knotted rugs come off the loom with a fringe, whether the finished carpet has a fringe depends on the style and origin of the rug. For example, many traditional hand woven Persian rugs are finished to leave the fringe exposed and used as a design element. In contrast, contemporary or tribal rugs lean toward a more modern or simplistic aesthetic, by folding the fringe under a binding strip.
Whether a rug has fringe is often a personal preference, both of the weaver and the customer.
Can you vacuum a hand knotted rug?
Maintaining a hand knotted area rug includes vacuuming at least once per month. Still, you must take special precautions to preserve its beauty and longevity. The vacuum cleaner must have an adjustable brush height setting to avoid putting pressure on the rug’s fibers, especially with more delicate materials. And always vacuum your rug from side to side without a back-and-forth motion.
Professional cleaning can further preserve the rug’s integrity and prolong its life.
Discover Tufenkian Hand Knotted Rugs
Hand knotted rugs hold immense value, both aesthetically and as meaningful investments. Their designs are visually captivating and carry the cultural and regional significance of the people who crafted them.
Explore the world of artisanal, hand knotted rugs for your home. Visit a showroom or test drive a Tufenkian hand knotted rug and discover the beauty of these carpets in your own space.