Size and Shape
Chinese rugs are made in different sizes and shapes, depending on the shape and size of the room you intend to put your rug in. It is common practice not to make the edges of a Chinese rug touch your walls. Usually, a one-meter distance is set between the edges of the rug and the wall.
Knotage
Knot density is a factor to be considered in choosing a Chinese rug, be it made of silk or other materials. Although, with silk, the knot density could be higher than if cotton or wool is used. The knot density or otherwise known as knotage refers to the number of knots made in every square inch of handmade rugs. Knotage is measured by counting the number of knots per inch along the weft (vertical lines) and along the warp (horizontal lines) on the backside of the rug then by multiplying the two numbers.
The higher the knot density of the rug, the more expensive it is. Every single knot is weaved by hand. A Chinese silk rug can consist of two hundred to over two thousand knots per square inch. A skillful weaver can tie a knot in about ten seconds. That means it would take a skillful weaver six months to weave a two-by-three-foot rug with a density of six hundred knots per square inch.
Designs, Colors, and Patterns
The design of a Chinese rug refers to the arrangement of motifs on the rug. The motif can either be a complex or a simple shape. There are generally three types of designs: all over, medallion, or one-sided. A medallion design is when there is a focal point, or a large centerpiece, in the layout. For the one-sided design, there is an image in the rug that is not necessarily symmetrical vertically. For the all over design, there is also a center motif, but this pattern is repeatedly used throughout the entire rug.
Chinese rugs come in different color. Contrast of the colors used for the borders and the field designs is a technique used to make the rug more beautiful. The border is not as readily seen as the background, but upon closer look, it can be seen that this, in fact, is given a great deal of detail job too. The field design is much easier to notice; it is, after all, the center attraction of the rug.
The patterns used for Chinese silk rugs can be curvilinear or pictorial. Patterns created with curved lines are called curvilinear and can be seen in medallion or all-over designs. Pictorial Chinese silk rugs portray people, animals, historical scenes, scenes from Chinese literature, and hunting or battle scenes.
Styles
Chinese rugs use mostly Chinese and Persian styles, or a combination of the two. When one is planning on getting a Chinese rug, it should be noted that Chinese symbols have meanings. The cloud motif symbolizes a wish. Dragon means power and authority. Butterfly means luck and a happy marriage. Fish means abundance. Phoenix represents happiness and peace. Lotus means purity. Peony symbolizes love, wealth, and nobility. Pomegranate is symbolic of fertility. The Swastika pattern has several meanings including the heart of Buddha, happiness, and the number ten thousand. The repeating swastikas or Chinese fret means ten thousand happiness.
Tags: Chinese rugs, Colors, Designs, Knotage
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Tags: Chinese rugs, Colors, Designs, Knotage