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Methods and styles of contemporary rug production
The production of rugs as utilitarian goods and as art
pieces extends back through centuries, which begs the question: how
can one characterize contemporary rug production? There are at least
two answers to such a question. First of all, there are many
cultures that still uphold the long-standing tradition of making
rugs by hand. These cultures include countries and people whose
ancestors have made rugs for hundreds of years, including Islamic
and Asian cultures. Kurds, Iranians, Turks, and the Chinese all
world-renowned for their handmade rugs. Countries with shorter
histories and less rug-making experience also boast impressive rugs;
these include the United States and Portugal.
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second answer though, is that 21st century rug-making is,
in some ways, radically different from the traditional form of
handmade rug-making. That difference is located in the way that the
rug is actually produced. When mechanized looms were invented in the
late 19th century and later popularized in the mid-20th
century, rug production shifted and the machine-made rug gained a
hold in the rug market.
The production of hand-made rugs has been influenced, to some
extent, by the increase in the production of the machine-made rugs.
While each kind of rug tends to have a distinct niche in the overall
market, globalization has not left traditional rug-making
unaffected. While the hand-made rugs still have their direct link to
the artisan who produced them, many are increasingly produced in two
sites. In other words, they are partially produced at home, or in
rug-making collectives, and then finished by a machine. This is
particularly true when it comes to the coloring of the rug. |
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The hand-made rugs are now more likely to include synthetic, rather
than natural, dyes. Some observers and rug experts also note that
the availability of synthetic dyes has invited experimentation on
the part of hand-weavers, who have introduced non-traditional colors
into their rugs.
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hand-made rugs are also increasingly evidencing the influence of
non-traditional designs. Whereas the hand-made rugs of the old days
incorporated designs that were highly specific to the culture of
origin, many hand-made rugs of the 21st century are
responding to the shifting tastes of the retail markets.
Almost all rugs produced abroad, whether machine-made or
hand-made, are intended for export. Nonetheless, there are
still rug makers who are loyal to their traditional designs,
colors, and techniques, as well as a solid market of buyers
who seek the traditional when making their rug purchases. It is likely that
these two distinct producers and types of production will continue
to influence one another as they tailor their production to the
ever-shifting demands of the consumer public. It is unlikely,
though, that either production type will be threatened with
extinction, as each type enjoys a strong showing in the market.
Given that rug production has been a successful industry for
thousands of years, it is unlikely that either production source ill
be significantly challenged or disappear anytime soon. |
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