Authentic oriental rugs are handmade area carpets that are either knotted or woven, with or without pile. The materials typically used to make oriental rugs are silk, wool, or cotton. Pile refers to the layer attached to the backing of the carpet. Asian countries such as China and Vietnam are known for producing exquisite oriental rugs. Turkey, Iran, India and Pakistan are also home to beautifully crafted oriental rugs.
Whether the oriental rug is a treasured family heirloom or a museum-quality masterpiece, at some point it will require repair or restoration. Why would Oriental Rug Restoration in New York City be needed? Similar to an automobile or appliance, rugs need to be maintained to offset normal wear and tear. Restoration of an oriental rug involves using materials, colors and weaving techniques that are nearly identical to those used by the original weaver.
Common areas in need of repair are the ends and sides of the rug. The “sides” of the rug are those without fringe running the length of the rug. The “ends” are the sides with fringe running the width of the rug. When repairing the sides, wool is used to wrap the sides, preventing the rug from unraveling and preserving an original appearance. Restoring or repairing the ends of the rug is more complicated. For thick pile rugs like Indian rugs, it is best to sew new fringes onto the rug. For thinner piled rugs like Persian rugs, a technique called the Zangara stitch is recommended. The fringe can be as long as desired to create an original look.
One of the most difficult repairs to perform is that of filling in holes. A skilled weaver must recreate the foundation by splicing new warp and weft threads into the fabric or surrounding area. Next, the pile is re-weaved using the exact type of knot used by the original weaver. The color of the yarns used must match precisely. The weaver creates the new pile by duplicating the pattern. Holes created by moths are less expensive to repair because moths do not eat cotton, and most rugs have a cotton foundation.
Browse our website for Oriental Rug Restoration in New York City, to see before and after pictures of rug repair and restoration. Skilled weavers are passionate about oriental rugs. Bringing the life back to a tired handmade rug and restoring it to its original beauty, is in itself, an art form.
