| What is a Tibetan carpet?
Hand made rugs have been part of the Tibetan culture
for hundreds of years. Traditionally, these rugs are
used for sitting or sleeping on, rather than walking
on. That's why many antique rugs are about 3 feet by
6 feet in size; this size fits the raised banquets that
function as both seating areas and beds in many Tibetan
houses. Particularly fine weaving or patterns of an
enlightened nature are used in monasteries and by Buddhist
practitioners during seated meditation. There are also
smaller rugs, sometimes called meditation rugs, which
are the right size for one person to sit on.
In modern times, the rugs are made larger to accommodate
use as floor carpets. New patterns and designs complement
contemporary and traditional home decor.
Today, Tibetan rugs are handmade by Tibetan exiles residing
in Nepal. What makes authentic Tibetan textiles unique
is the combination of traditional methods that has produced
carpets lasting centuries and the premium quality of
wool from Tibetan sheep living above 16,000 ft.
All Tibetan carpets are manufactured by indigenous craftspeople
using pure Tibetan wool in our workshops located in
Nepal.
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How long does it take to make
a carpet?
Making an authentic Tibetan carpet by traditional
methods is an enormously labor intensive activity which
yields a far superior product. Handwoven wool carpets
commonly come in 3 qualities 60, 80, and 100 knots per
square inch, with the higher count being more durable
and incrementally more time consuming to weave. The
patterns and quality of carpet directly affects the
production period.
In addition to the time for weaving, is the time to
card and clean the wool, spin the yarn, dye the colored
yarns, and finally trim the woven design.
Detailed weaving requires skill and attention and
progresses slowly—a fine 9 x 12 foot carpet often
represents 1,500 hours of labor.
As a practical matter, larger carpets are made by
a team of weavers and other craftspeople over several
weeks to months.
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Why do some have fringe and
others don't?
All Tibetan carpets have cotton "fringe"
on the ends, this is the natural remaining ends of the
weft threads once the carpet is cut off the loom. Since,
some customers prefer to have a clean edge, the fringe
is often folded underneath the rug, covered with a strip
of canvas, and hand bound.
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Are the colors
of good quality?
We employ a palette of over 200 yarn colors in the
creation of our complete inventory of designs. We useAZO-free
Swiss Ciba dyes.
The dyes used are of good quality creating colors
which are rich and lustrous, and the overall effect
of the color and design is pleasing and harmonious.
We make carpets that range from exceptionally subtle
gradations to boldly contrasting patterns, yet the results
are always well balanced. Nepalese Tibetan carpets do
not have the bright garish harshness, or the undesirable
effect of one color "popping out" that many
synthetic dyes produce. All our yarn is dyed by hand
in small lot in a pot.
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Are these rugs made with child
labor?
The use of underage and child labor is a serious concern
in many parts of the world. Many carpet manufacturers
exploit children for their inexpensive labor in situations
where economic pressures often prevail over education
needs and health concerns. City Carpet Industries has never used children
in the manufacture of our products, nor do we ignore
the practice common in the industry. We explicitly prohibit
workers under the age of 18 in our workshops.
Payment
We would ask for 40% advance payment prior to production. The rest of the payment can be done by Advance payment OR Irrevocable Letter of Credit before the rugs leave towards your destination.
Sample
The sample rugs and color poms in wool and silk OR carpet woven samples shall be shipped to interested parties charging a very nominal fee.
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