Silk is also used to create ornate rugs, especially among the master weavers of the Qom and antique Kashan rug weavers.  Silkworms are fed the leaves of white mulberry and their silk harvested.

Many natural resources and plant materials are used to create the rich color palettes we know today.  However, some of the ancient natural dyes, especially those that rendered black, were very caustic and caused the wool to break.  Later, when chemical dyes developed, they were used alongside the natural dyes.  Once a wool or silk lot is dyed, it is cut into the appropriate pieces for weaving and is knotted on the foundation, and knot by knot, line by line the rug takes shape.  

European courts who became acquainted with the beauty and riches of Persian rugs through trades among the silk route commissioned rugs in their own designs for the palaces.  These include many all silk pictorial rugs of the kings, heroes and lovers of the court.  Other pictorial rugs are detailed illustrations of the poetry of Omar Khayyam. 

The designs in the showroom reflect what the weavers experience in their travels, such as nature scenes and geometric shapes, and some are illustrations of stories that were passed down from generation to generation.  Some designs are ornate, others simple.  Each tribe developed its own distinctive design and color combinations that are recreated in today's modern color palette throughout China, India, Pakistan and Turkey.  We also have fine examples of the French Aubusson styles of the 17th and 18th century.  Visit our showroom soon, where you can walk history and the globe under one roof.