Construction of Oriental Carpets

Abstract

Various techniques of hand weaving are used in the manufacture of oriental carpets: the technique of kneeling, the technique of knotting, and, less often, the technique of velvet. The technique of kneeling is used to make carpets of smooth surface both on face and back of the fabric, and in weaving various methods of interlacing warp and weft are used at contact points of different motifs or surfaces. The technique of knotting is used to make carpets with pile on the face. Turkish and Persian knots are most widely used in this technique. The technique of velvet is also used for carpets with pile on the face, and special wood or metal sticks and so called Senna knots are used in the process. Density of the knots, as one of the most important elements in evaluating carpets, is expressed in various ways, depending upon the region. On average, 1 dm2 of oriental carpet has between 2000 and 6000 knots. For the sake of comparison, the construction of tufting carpets is also described, as well as the construction of woven carpets, as adequate techniques for manufacturing imitation of original oriental carpets.