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More
than any other craft or art form, the handmade rug has survived the
onslaught of industrialization and is now in greater demand than ever, and
at The Carpets Asia one can witness a range of hand woven hand knotted
masterpieces, carefully selected and acquired for their uniqueness and
brilliant draughtmanship for over 25 years by a single family.
What began as a nomadic craft ages ago, still continues among some tribes as
well as in mechanised factories the world over. However, the importance
beauty of the antique oriented carpets above all have been understood.
Mr. Mukesh Mathur private collection at The Carpets Asia reveals the range
of styles and designs that the words oriental carpet stand for. Representing
the culture of a vast area stretching from the India, the Carpets Asia is
the place where you can see the effects of socio-economic developments
affecting the weaving tradition of a region.
Experience the floral motifs and finer weaves of the workshop carpets that
reflected the taste of the courts versus the geometric patterns of the
nomadic tribals depicting unknown heraldic symbols distinguished by the
different motifs, colour combinations, styles of knotting, warp, weft etc.,
Each carpets represents the weaving tradition of a particular tribe or
centre all of them are handknotted and vegetable dyed.
The style of knotting whether Silk or Woolen and the superior quality of raw
materials used, ensures that the rugs get better with usage. The use of
natural dyes by secret techniques using berries, plants, fruit, bark, fungi
and in some rare pieces - crushed insects allows for colours that not only
stay fast but give a pleasing harmonious effect unequalled by chemical dyes.
Often borrowed by leading museums from around the world for exhibitions,
these carpets are unique pieces - each in its own frame, with its own
subtlety complexity. Some carpets represent gardens to remind the user of
the pleasures of paradise, or of spring, while they kept the floor warm in
winter, others depict hunting scenes, floral animal motifs and geometrical
lattice patterns. There are still others with verses found in borders,
culled from works of leading poets or composed by unknown writers for a
particular carpet.
Whatever the dreams vision of the craftmen or the reasons for which these
rugs were woven which range from trade, dowry, prayer, commissioning by
aristocrats or a simple need to cover a tent floor, each piece is most
handsomely designed and conceived.
From the finest classic carpets of the Mughal Time in India, to the
wonderful varieties and charming textures of the Indian carpets to further
still the kilims, saddlebags and ornamentation of camels horses during
ceremonial occasions, The Carpets Asia is a rare representation of the art
of oriental weaving at its best.
To partake a piece of this unique tradition or merely browse through an
overwhelming collection - perhaps the largest personal one of its kind in
India - The Carpets Asia is now open to all. |
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