| The Himalayan country of Tibet remains a mystery | | | | patterns representing renewal and long life are |
| to many around the world. The holy land of Buddhist | | | | commonly seen in bamboo rugs. In addition, designs |
| tradition, this mountainous nation is known for its | | | | feature plum blossoms and forsythia branches as |
| unique arts and crafts including an accessory that will | | | | symbols of beauty, grace and the passage of time. |
| bring great imagination and harmony to any home - | | | | These sophisticated approaches make Tibetan rugs |
| Tibetan rugs. | | | | seem contemporary, but in reality the makers are |
| The designs of Tibetan rugs are as varied as the | | | | drawing upon ancient symbols and methods. Rug |
| facets of the universe. While technically "oriental" | | | | designs often are intended to elicit a certain mood, |
| rugs, these floor coverings differ greatly from the | | | | from serenity to excitement. Sometimes geometric |
| intricate, jewel-toned patterns of Persian, Turkish or | | | | shapes are woven into the rug so that intriguing |
| Chinese rugs also called orientals. Rugs from Tibet | | | | patterns within patterns result, similar to the effect |
| and its neighbor Nepal share an unusual, highly refined | | | | of infinity created by hanging two mirrors opposite |
| technique of hand-knotting. The craftsmanship of this | | | | one another. |
| method, combined with their distinctive colors and | | | | At other times, Tibetan rugs are woven in such an |
| designs, combine to make these rugs truly unique | | | | understated way that it can be hard to discern a |
| among floor coverings. | | | | pattern. Many rugs of this type are meant for |
| A deep sense of spiritual purpose lies behind genuine | | | | meditation purposes, so that observers can literally |
| Tibetan rugs, as with rugs crafted by Navajo artisans | | | | get lost in the rug's weave and thus allow the cares |
| and other cultures for which making beauty is | | | | of the workaday work to drift away. Nonetheless, |
| essential to their beliefs. One of the reasons these | | | | this type of rug also can work well in Modern or |
| rugs are so luxurious to see and touch is the | | | | Contemporary decor where minimalism is a valued |
| painstaking care with which the makers create with | | | | quality, or to simplify a room style that has become |
| the system of Tibetan knots. The makers use | | | | too busy or cluttered. |
| natural silk fibers and the softest refined wool. | | | | One of the most prized characteristics of this style |
| Cotton, canvas, or wool fabric are used to create | | | | of rugs - and one that makes them ideal for any |
| the rug backing, and then the knots are pulled | | | | decor - is the skillful combination of wool and silk in |
| through and snipped. This technique results in rugs | | | | the same weave. The result of this sophisticated |
| with textures of varying pile lengths, chosen by the | | | | method is a rug with a luminescent sheen that |
| artist. | | | | catches and reflects light in ever-changing waves. |
| Tibetan rug makers aren't the only artisans that use | | | | Tibetan rugs have come into their own recently as |
| hand-knotting to create their rugs. However, this | | | | both exquisite accessories for many decor styles and |
| culture's particular refinement of the technique sets it | | | | as highly collectible ornaments. Some dealers think |
| apart from others because of the motifs and | | | | that Tibetan rugs with their timeless beauty may |
| patterns that result. The artists that create these | | | | soon catch up with classic Persian rugs as valued |
| unusual rugs draw inspiration from many Asian | | | | heirlooms worthy of being handed on to successive |
| cultures, incorporating into their designs plant motifs | | | | generations. |
| that have deeply significant symbolism. For example, | | | | |