Xinjiang’s carpets are among the
finest on earth. It’s believed the world’s very
first carpets were made in the area, and for more than 2000
years they have played an important part in Uyghur culture.
Traditionally, these carpets have been the centre of home
life for the Uyghur people. They’re used to decorate, to
sleep on and to keep warm. In ancient times overseas buyers
would endure months, and sometimes years, of hardship just
to own a Khotan carpet; the most important cultural treasure
of the Uyghur people. I have collected and sold antique Khotan carpets in Xinjiang
for more than 32 years. Traditionally I’ve only
sold antique carpets, but over recent years the rug trade
into Pakistan has seen many high-quality rugs disappear from
the area. The remaining carpets are generally of low
quality, so I have turned my hand to making new carpets in
the antique style. I design my carpets using the finest
examples of ancient design found across the world and in
Xinjiang, in private collections and museums. In turn, my
copy-made rugs can be found in homes throughout North
America, Europe and Australasia. My carpets focus around
traditional designs and are sized between four and seven
square metres. If you have a different design you want made
I am only too happy to help. I’ve put together
the following list to try and cut some of the
“mystery” out of buying a carpet. When looking for
a rug, it is important to note a variety of things:
1) DESIGN – Each traditional Khotan
carpet tells a story about the ancient culture of the Uyghur
people. In Xinjiang, the most traditional designs are the
Khotan Medallion and Kashgar Pomegranate. These designs are
among the most important cultural treasures in Uyghur
tradition and have been handed down over the centuries. The
medallion design centres on Uyghur Buddhist and Shaman
beliefs, while the pomegranate tells of love and abundant
life. These patterns have been produced in Xinjiang for at
least 2000 years, however more and more traditional designs
are being replaced with modern patterns with little
historical bearing. Furthermore, too often Uyghur designs
are being featured side-by-side with other
designs on the one carpet. A true Khotan carpet will bear
only a traditional design, which shows the rich history of
the region.
2) MAPPING – Many cheaper carpets look
to be of high quality design on first inspection, but on
closer inspection mistakes are often found. In many cases,
these flaws can be picked up by looking at the carpet
border. Sometimes the border pattern will not “meet
up” in one corner of the carpet, meaning the pattern
will stop and start again without continuity. In other
cases, the pattern will stop and start on another part of
the carpet: usually at one of the ends. This is due to poor
“mapping”, which lowers the price and quality of a
carpet. Many carpets in Xinjiang have been copy-made simply
from looking at a photo and from poor quality
“maps”, so that towards the end of the weaving
process faults become inevitable. Although several
high-quality antique rugs may have these mistakes and still
be prized possessions, there is no excuse for modern carpets
to bear these flaws. My carpets are made using high-quality
maps, which can take years to make. They are all done by
hand, without the aid of a computer, so working out the map
can be a painstaking, time-consuming process. I make sure
each rug is “test-made” several times to make sure
the pattern works and to rule out any mistakes in the final
product.
3) CRAFTSMANSHIP – Traditional Khotan carpets are made using
a highly advanced weaving system, different to those used in
Afghanistan and Iran. At the moment, there are a number of
“Khotan” rugs on the market of poor quality which
have been made in these countries. They are made in a matter
of a few months with poor materials. Afghan rugs imported
from Pakistan are usually very thin, with a 30 percent
synthetic mix and wool foundation that is not very durable.
These carpets will usually wear out in 5-6 years. On the
other hand, my carpets are strong and made with a cotton
foundation. One of my carpets can take up to three years to
make, from the design stage to final production! Just the
weaving process of the smallest carpets will take one person
five months to complete. All my designs are made by
professional weavers in Khotan: the traditional home of the
Uyghur carpet.
4) WOOL QUALITY – This is a serious problem in many
Khotan rugs at the moment, but unfortunately it is hard to
pick up once the carpet has been made. Poor quality wool
feels harsher and is brittle, leading to a carpet that
won’t last very long. Often the wool is obtained when
the sheep is already dead. Good wool is shinier, softer and
stronger, after being shorn from young sheep in late spring.
5) COLOUR – Carpets should feature traditional colours
such as intense reds, yellow, saffron, rust, brown and
blues. Each colour holds a special meaning for the Uyghur
people. For example, yellow means spiritual power while blue
can signify a beautiful future. Although brighter colours
may seem attractive at first, it’s often a sign of
poor-quality dying. Once washed, the colours will fade
badly. My carpets can be professionally cleaned without
fading or shrinking.
6) KNOTS – Khotan carpets should have a minimum of 360
asymmetric knots per square metre. This can usually be
measured by looking at the back of the carpet and using a
ruler. There should be 3.6 knots in every square centimetre.
7) THICKNESS – Poor quality carpets are made thin from
a wool foundation that can wear quickly. My carpets are
always 2 centimetres thick, which is the traditional
thickness of Khotan rugs.
8) RESEARCH! – Although these notes should be of some
help, it also pays to review other resources before making a
carpet purchase. All too often Westerners throw their money
away on worthless carpets because they haven’t done
their research. Remember: if it is a cheap carpet, than there is
probably a reason for it. Finally, a beautiful carpet in your home should let
visitors know something about who you are by revealing
glimpses of your inner and spiritual self. I believe my
carpets can do this. The proof of the time and love that
goes into each of my rugs can always be seen in the final
product. Every carpet cannot be a treasure, but make sure
yours is!
Mobile : (+86)1389.913.6195
Wechat ID : ElvisAblimit
Email:elvisablimit@hotmail.com
https://kashgar.culture-travel.net/