Tibetan rugs continue to grow inside popularity -even as the conventional Oriental rug companies are suffering - the reason why And why are they largely made in Nepal and India - can they really be Tibetan rugs if they're not provided in Tibet

Tibetan rug creating is an ancient, traditional craft that exercises back hundreds, or even thousands, of years. In their nomadic tradition, these types of rugs primarily served practical purposes -such since horse saddles, seating carpets, and wall hangings to help keep out the harsh Tibetan winter months. Therefore, by requirement, they are made to end up being extremely durable and also warm.

Tibetan rugs are usually unique in two ways. First, the traditional weaving substance -wool from Tibetan highland sheep -is some of the best wool in the world. The particular Tibetan highland sheep live from high altitudes and produce wool that is stretchy and strong, rich in lanolin content which produces a "soft hand". Second, Tibetan rugs are made with the unique "Tibetan Knot" that increases the density for each knot over the conventional knot used in all the other countries. The combination of the two factors brings about durable rugs which are both soft and versatile, providing optimum heat.

Tibetan culture developed under a number of factors, including its remoteness as well as the strong Buddhist influence which pervades every aspect of existence. Tibetan rugs made in standard designs are often produced in abstract form incorporating Buddhist symbols such as the lotus blossom and crane. Conventional colors are derived from vegetation, so are often more muted.

Tibet features a long history being a sovereign nation and would be a fully independent condition until the Chinese occupied it in 1949 rugs for sale. Ever since then, there has been much argument about the political and also social issues encircling this occupation, however we won't go into which here!

When the Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 as well as was granted asylum in India, he has been joined by over Eighty,000 Tibetan refugees. Today about 130,000 Tibetan refugees are over the world, but the bulk of them live in Indian, Nepal, and Bhutan - generally accommodated in large agricultural or craft-working centres.

Although most fled with very little a lot more than the clothes on their again, over the past 50 years, the Tibetan refugees have managed to protect their culture and identity. When the initial refugees left Tibet , they brought with them their understanding of rug making, and eventually opened weaving centers in order to both keep their heritage alive, also to manufacture products that might help them to be self-sufficient rather than reliant on their host countries area rugs. Today, these types of centers are often hubs of social conversation where medical treatment is available, schools have been setup, and many made-to-order Tibetan rugs tend to be hand made in the standard Tibetan style for move across the world.

Many of the Tibetan weaving centres in Nepal and India that produce a lot of the Tibetan rugs for move often now give attention to contemporary styles which can be popular in the West. This is unique in that you can obtain a traditional, hand-made rug that may last for generations, in the current styles and colors. These rugs appeal to people who want quality, but are not keen on the "granny" look regarding traditional oriental carpets. Since they often have simple repeat patterns with out borders, they may be placed directly under, adjacent, or from a sofa without anxiety about creating an disproportion in the room.

Confusingly, you may also come across "Tibetan rugs" that are actually made in Tibet . Whilst there may be a few conventional, high quality rug producers still left in Tibet , more often, the rugs today made in Tibet are made with imported (cheaper high quality) wool, cheap fabric dyes, and are often made by machine! They are mostly made for the vacationer market or for going to Chinese delegations.

So, the reasons for Tibetan rugs' popularity needs to be obvious - top quality, beautiful designs : made by dedicated Tibetan refugees using ancient methods. Remember, "Made in Tibet ", doesn't invariably mean a traditional Tibetan Rug, and a beautiful, high quality, durable Tibetan Rug generally is NOT made in Tibet!

Barbara Richardson writes for A large number of Rugs.com, a business that supplies a wide array of high quality hand matted rugs at excellent value prices - including a large collection of unique Tibetan Rugs..