Soumak Rug: A History and Guide
The Soumak rug is widely considered one of the most beautiful rugs in the world, and those who have owned one can attest to its artistry and grace. An heirloom piece, a Soumak rug can last decades and still look stunning. But what sets it apart from other rugs? And how can you tell if your Soumak rug has been made with love and expertise? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the history and creation of soumak rugs and how to pick one out if you're considering buying one as a decoration or conversation piece in your home.
What is a Soumak Rug?
Soumak rugs are produced in Armenia, Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, India, Central Asia, and Turkey. These beautiful handmade rugs are traditionally made using caucasian designs. However, these days Soumak rug is coming back with modern artists creating original designs in various colors. Soumak rugs have become popular in recent years due to their unique design and affordable price. Many people often confuse with kilim rugs, but they differ from kilims as kilims do not have any pile on top while soumaks do.
A Caucasian Soumak Rug has different layers of knots that make it thick, warm, and comfortable to walk on barefoot. The thickness of a soumak depends on how many knots use to make it. However, most soumaks are quite thick if you compare them to other types of handmade carpets such as kilim or Kashan. The knot count for a soumak ranges depending on its size. For example, a small 8×10 inch soumak rug will be around 300 knots per square inch (kpsi). In addition to being thick and warm, another benefit of buying a Soumak Rug is that they can last decades if properly taken care of.
Where do Soumak rugs come from?
Soumak rugs come from a Caucasian tribal area in Eastern Anatolia in modern-day Turkey. These are handmade rugs by Armenian, Kurdish, Persian, and Turkish tribe members who have passed on their weaving traditions for hundreds of years. The method of creating Soumak rugs is unique to these regions. Most motifs found in Soumak rug patterns—known as dragon or tentacle designs—are exclusive to soumaks. This makes them incredibly collectible.
Making soumak handmade rugs has become an art form almost exclusively by elderly weavers in rural areas. This means there's a short supply of authentic Soumak rugs available today. That's why it's important to learn about what makes them special before you buy one! It is your best decision if you're looking for an investment piece that will stand out in your home. But if you want something for decoration, don't worry—you can still find beautiful ones at more affordable prices. We'll talk more about where to look later on. First, let's take a closer look at how these lovely pieces are made.
What makes them special?
Caucasian Soumak rugs are a traditional type of handmade Persian rug. Soumaks have a long history that dates back hundreds of years. Soumak refers to both a handmade style of the rug and a specific weaving technique. In addition to having an interesting history, these rugs offer great value with designs that rival any handmade piece available on today's market. Following are some basic facts about soumak rugs which make them special.
1) The Traditional Techniques of Making Soumak Rugs
Historically, there have been four primary techniques for producing a soumak rug. Each method has its unique characteristics and final appearance. So much so that these distinct traits use to classify different styles of soumak weave rugs. The first technique is famous as Soumak Flat Weave or Plain Soumak Weave. These rugs weave using warp yarns which makes with pure wool or goat hair. The warp yarns tightly stretch across two looms and fix onto a table at right angles to each other. Then they would tie down on one end and secured by tacks on top to ensure they didn't move during weaving.
2) Modern Times' Influence on The Art of Soumak
The Caucasian Soumak, a method of rug making that recognizes as one of only three indigenous rug-making techniques, dates back to ancient Persia. The method involves knotting silk with wool to create patterns that are not unlike what we would call rug hooking today. Though the art has had ups and downs, it was particularly popular during 18th-century Europe when, during times of high Caucasian antique soumak rug importation, traditional methods evolved to keep up with demand; they mass-produce using non-native materials. As a result, many contemporary Caucasian rugs make with cotton or synthetic fibers rather than silk. It's worth noting that while it is technically possible to make these rugs by hand alone, most modern pieces use machines for part of their production process.
3) Design Elements of Soumak Rugs
Turkish soumak rugs consider unique as they are handmade using a technique that makes them hard to copy. If you want to buy a jute soumak rug, you should know that there are many factors you have to consider before picking one. Such as design elements, craftsmanship quality, and color combination. In addition to all these factors, it is also important for you to know about the history of Soumak Rugs. So that you can be able to differentiate between genuine ones and fake ones. Furthermore, if you have already purchased a soumak rug from some shop or online store and do not like its texture or colors, then do not worry. You can always re-dye your soumak carpet at home with little effort.
How to Choose the best Soumak Rug?
There are many styles of soumak rugs, but as a rule, they're mostly rectangular or oval with soft colors in patterns make with caucasian designs. Every piece is handmade by talented weavers who use goat hair to make an elaborate pattern for each rug. Choosing your perfect Soumak rug helps if you know what you want before shopping. For example, do you want something formal or casual? Do you need something that will fit into your living room? Do you want a large carpet or one that will fit your bedroom? Knowing what size and style of carpet suit your needs best will help narrow your search when looking at all the beautiful options available online today. When looking at pictures online, keep these things in mind so you can quickly find what fits into your home perfectly!
Where To Buy The Best Soumak Rug?
As they are considered an art form, handmade Soumak rugs can be quite costly. You may think you're saving money by purchasing your rug online, but unless you know what to look for, it's best to stick with a name-brand company such as Alrug. This company is the best option for you if you want to buy wool soumak rugs. Because Alrug offers a guarantee on their products. If your purchase from them happens to be a mistake or you decide that you no longer want it, they will buy it back at its original value! Shopping with Alrug means never worrying about sticking with something that doesn't suit your tastes or lifestyle. Whatever you order is guaranteed free of defects in quality or material.