meAt said:
LisaWagnerCRS said:
As the weaving culture gets more and more sparse, these older rugs will become more and more valuable. Look how incredible this piece looks, from the 1600s. We had a Turkish rug that came through our shop, mint condition, from the 1700s - older than America. It is amazing to see these pieces, the quality and workmanship.
REAL rugs... not this tufted crap.
Lisa
Lisa, expand on the "real rugs , not tufted crap", comment
I can understand quality of materials, I also understand that not all craftsmen are created equal.
but what's different today from yestercentury?
thanks
..L.T.A.
For those of you into cars - it's the difference between the real deal and the "kit" replica. When you see an original - the quality of every piece, the richness of the wool's lanolin, the depth and texture of the natural dyes, the feel of the construction, the intricacy of the design - when you know a lot about something you admire, you can see many difference aspects that most others would say "so what?" to.
I have a Coach purse that was a gift to me - a $400 gift - that I have always said I'd never pay that much for a damn purse. But as you get to notice the difference in the quality of the leather, the construction, and the feel - it is different. I don't know what will happen when I need a new purse now.
New rugs, the bulk of them, and created with shortcuts to get the product to market the quickest and cheapest.
Just like when you buy furniture at Walmart - you expect it to be particle board, and not something you will hand down to your kids (well... some of you might...)
Tufted rugs are simple hooked construction, latex poured on the back to hold it together, and the loops sheared off to make it look like a woven rug. Takes a day to make. As opposed to a 9x12 Pakistan woven rug today, decent knot count, that can take 3 weavers 14 months to complete in 6 day workweeks.
When you lay originals and knock-offs side by side, you can see the difference. Here's a post I did of a REAL Kazak over a knock-off:
http://www.therugchick.com/2009/10/they-dont-make-them-like-they-used-to/
When you get into washing rugs, you learn which ones are quality and which ones are not.
I grew up around antique rugs (my parents sold them) - so I'm ruined for life. I like the great rugs...
Lisa