| By :
Mark Etinger
Hand knotted area rugs have been prized for thousands of years. Ancient Persian kings employed hundreds of women at once to hand-stitch designs with silk and fine wool. These practices still exist today, although thankfully it is paid instead of slave labor. Silk Persian rugs bedecked the halls of these Persian kings, and were sometimes hundreds of feet long. Today it is hard to find such grandeur, if not because few people can afford it than because of the long time it takes to accomplish such an undertaking. More manageable sized rugs, typically no bigger than 12' x 15', continue to be made all over the world, although silk Persian rugs remain the best. Silk is produced by the mulberry silkworm in thin strands. The fiber is triangular, which is what allows it to refract light at different angles, and thus produce a shimmery color. Because silk is only produced by the worms during their metamorphosis it is relatively rare. Silk is also very strong. Persian rugs remain a sort of status symbol, but to view them solely as such is shallow - they are also pieces of art. The labor that goes into producing these rugs can be thousands of man-hours, especially on larger hand knotted rugs. The fact that there may be imperfections demonstrates the humanity of these fine items. Detecting lack of perfect symmetry allows the collector to glimpse the personal touch that went into the crafting of the hand knotted area rug. Moreover, most silk rug designs are ancient and have heavy symbolic resonance. Learning what the pattern in your rug means is akin to taking a survey in art history. Thus, many people hang silk rugs on their walls so that they can be better appreciated. There is also the practical aspect of silk Persian rugs. They are bright and colorful and make any home immediately warmer and happier. Interior decorators often uses these rugs because of their quality and their feel, which is far softer than wool. And generally Persian rugs last for a long time if well maintained. They can be especially subject to strong sunlight and so should be kept out of bright sun or rotated annually to prevent fading. Silk Persian rugs are heirlooms that once obtained will be kept in the family for generations (or sold for thousands, especially as antiques). They are objets d'art; they warm your home; and they serve as conversation pieces. They are a choice investment for the purveyor of fine things and are much preferable to cheap machine made rugs.
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