Production
Embark on the timeless narrative of Tibetan rug craftsmanship, a heritage passed down for millennia. Originating in Nepal's Himalayan embrace, this age-old tradition began as practical home items. Handwoven as mats, door and bed covers, and pillar rugs, these intricately adorned pieces found a place as ornamental treasures in Buddhist monasteries. Rooted in Buddhist influence, traditional Tibetan weaving mirrors centuries of cultural significance.
In the mountainous landscapes of Northern Nepal, villagers have seamlessly integrated hand-weaving into their daily lives, creating functional and artistic floor and wall coverings. The true shift towards commercial manufacturing emerged in the early 1960s, coinciding with Tibet's transition under Chinese rule. This period witnessed a significant Tibetan diaspora, including the Dalai Lama's relocation to India. The grassroots rug industry gained European attention, not merely as commerce but as a means of supporting Tibetan refugees finding refuge in Nepal. The historic 1964 commercial shipment of woolen rugs marked the industry's globalization. Today, rug manufacturing stands as a cornerstone of the Tibetan economy, providing employment opportunities for both Tibetan refugees and native Nepalese.
Crafting Our Rugs: A Detailed Process
Wool Herding: Our journey begins with a shipment of raw sheep's wool. The wool undergoes a thorough washing in natural spring water to achieve a sparkling white, odor-free quality.
Carding: Next, the carding process separates individual wool fibers, removing foreign matter. This step aids in spinning, blending, and wool mixing, sometimes done using machines in the modern world.
Spinning: Wool fibers, now carded, are drawn and twisted by hand, a skill native to the Nepalese people. This process creates yarns with varying thickness, with an ideal soft twist per inch of 57 for weaving our modern rugs.
Dyeing: We employ both natural and synthetic mediums for dyeing wool, offering a vibrant range of colors. While synthetic dyes provide vivid hues and efficiency, natural dyes are favored for environmental friendliness and a more subdued color range.
Weaving: Every rug is meticulously woven by hand on a vertical loom. Depending on the rug's size, three to four skilled workers may be involved simultaneously. Essential tools include yarn balls, scissors, iron rods, levers, and a comb beater.
Knot Density: The knot density of our rugs varies from 40 to 160 knots per square inch, with designer rugs typically falling between 100 and 160 knots per square inch.
Trimming: Detailed designs and patterns are hand-carved from our woven rugs using scissors. Precision is crucial, as one false cut could impact the rug's sale value.
Washing: After trimming, common household chemicals are used to eliminate germs and dirt, restoring the wool's original shine. The rug is then washed in fresh water and left to dry in the sun for 45 days.
Stretching: Metal frames facilitate the stretching process, with contemporary rugs hung by hooks from all four sides. This ensures the rug dries while maintaining its square shape.
Final Finishing: The designer rug undergoes a final trimming to remove any stray yarn, followed by a thorough vacuum cleaning. It is then carefully packed in environmentally friendly materials, ready for delivery.
Looms: Our Tibetan and Nepalese rugs can be woven on various looms, from simple upright structures to elaborate metal beams for larger rugs. Rolling beams are also employed for creating longer contemporary rugs.
Explore our collection of modern designer rugs and bring a piece of this rich heritage into your space.
In the mountainous landscapes of Northern Nepal, villagers have seamlessly integrated hand-weaving into their daily lives, creating functional and artistic floor and wall coverings. The true shift towards commercial manufacturing emerged in the early 1960s, coinciding with Tibet's transition under Chinese rule. This period witnessed a significant Tibetan diaspora, including the Dalai Lama's relocation to India. The grassroots rug industry gained European attention, not merely as commerce but as a means of supporting Tibetan refugees finding refuge in Nepal. The historic 1964 commercial shipment of woolen rugs marked the industry's globalization. Today, rug manufacturing stands as a cornerstone of the Tibetan economy, providing employment opportunities for both Tibetan refugees and native Nepalese.
Crafting Our Rugs: A Detailed Process
Wool Herding: Our journey begins with a shipment of raw sheep's wool. The wool undergoes a thorough washing in natural spring water to achieve a sparkling white, odor-free quality.
Carding: Next, the carding process separates individual wool fibers, removing foreign matter. This step aids in spinning, blending, and wool mixing, sometimes done using machines in the modern world.
Spinning: Wool fibers, now carded, are drawn and twisted by hand, a skill native to the Nepalese people. This process creates yarns with varying thickness, with an ideal soft twist per inch of 57 for weaving our modern rugs.
Dyeing: We employ both natural and synthetic mediums for dyeing wool, offering a vibrant range of colors. While synthetic dyes provide vivid hues and efficiency, natural dyes are favored for environmental friendliness and a more subdued color range.
Weaving: Every rug is meticulously woven by hand on a vertical loom. Depending on the rug's size, three to four skilled workers may be involved simultaneously. Essential tools include yarn balls, scissors, iron rods, levers, and a comb beater.
Knot Density: The knot density of our rugs varies from 40 to 160 knots per square inch, with designer rugs typically falling between 100 and 160 knots per square inch.
Trimming: Detailed designs and patterns are hand-carved from our woven rugs using scissors. Precision is crucial, as one false cut could impact the rug's sale value.
Washing: After trimming, common household chemicals are used to eliminate germs and dirt, restoring the wool's original shine. The rug is then washed in fresh water and left to dry in the sun for 45 days.
Stretching: Metal frames facilitate the stretching process, with contemporary rugs hung by hooks from all four sides. This ensures the rug dries while maintaining its square shape.
Final Finishing: The designer rug undergoes a final trimming to remove any stray yarn, followed by a thorough vacuum cleaning. It is then carefully packed in environmentally friendly materials, ready for delivery.
Looms: Our Tibetan and Nepalese rugs can be woven on various looms, from simple upright structures to elaborate metal beams for larger rugs. Rolling beams are also employed for creating longer contemporary rugs.
Explore our collection of modern designer rugs and bring a piece of this rich heritage into your space.