Glossary Tibet Tibet is part of China, and it is located in southwest of China. It is bordered on the south by Nepal, Bhutan and Burma, and on the west by India. There is evidence of commercial rug production in Tibet from the late eighteenth century. Recently, rugs have been customized in Tibet and woven using traditional techniques and designs and vegetable dyes in a way similar to DOBAG of Turkey (a Turkish acronym meaning Natural Dye Research and Development Project). Tibetan Knot In Tibet, a distinctive rug-weaving technique is used. A temporary rod which establishes the length of pile is put in front of the warp . A continuous yarn is looped around two warps and then once around the rod. When a row of loops is finished, then the loops are cut to construct the knots. Toranj The Persian name for medallion, the centerpiece in a medallion layout. Tree-of-Life A motif consisting of a tree with a trunk, branches and leaves which covers the whole rug. The tree could be very realistic or so abstract that it may not resemble a tree. Also, this motif is generally one-sided. Tunisia Tunisia is located in North Africa. The capital of Tunisia is Tunis. Tunisia gained its dependence from France in 1956. Rugs from Tunisia have not reached the western market yet. They are mostly woven for local use or sold in bazaars to tourists. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan is located in Central Asia. Turkmenistan gained its independence from the ex-Soviet Union in 1991. The capital of Turkmenistan is Ashgabad. The rugs from this country are known as Turkoman. Turkey Turkey is located in Southwest Asia. The capital of Turkey is Ankara. The earliest Turkish handmade rugs date from the thirteenth century. Many examples of Anatolian rugs can be seen in European paintings from 1350 to 1450. Rugs have been woven in Turkey for at least as long as they have been in Persia. Even though Turkey does not export nearly as many rugs as Iran, India or China, it is still considered a large exporter of handmade rugs. Market sizing data from the exporting countries is difficult to obtain, as some of the countries may not track the data or disclose it. Nevertheless, from foreign embassies, industry specialists, and magazine articles, the 1998 rug export estimate for Turkey is 150 million dollars. Turkish, Symmetrical, or Ghiordes Knot The Symmetrical knot is used in Turkey, the Caucasus and Iran by Turkish and Kurdish tribes. It is also used in some European rugs. To form this knot, a small piece of yarn is passed over two neighboring warp strands. Each end of the yarn is then passed behind one warp and brought back to the surface in the middle of the two warps. Turmeric A widely cultivated tropical plant of India (Curcuma tinctoria) with yellow flowers and an aromatic root. It is used as a spice and yellow dye. Return to Top Uzbekistan Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia. Uzbekistan gained its independence from the ex-Soviet Union in 1991. The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent. The rugs from this country are known as Turkoman. Return to Top Village Rugs Rugs made by villagers. In village settings, usually all family members or the women of the family are weavers and their home is their place of work. More variety of styles are woven by villagers than by any other weaving category. Return to Top Warp Vertical strands of fiber which stretch from the top to the bottom of the rug and knots are tied to them. Weave The technique used in weaving. There are two major weaving techniques: Pile Weave and Flat Weave. Weft Horizontal strands of fiber that are woven through the warps. They are added before and in between the rows of knots to secure the knots in place. Weld A European plant (Reseda luteola) with long spikes of small, yellowish-green flowers. A yellow dye is derived from the stalks, leaves, and flowers. This plant is also called Dyer's Rocket. Workshop A sophisticated setting where weavers work as employees, and very skillful weavers can eventually become master weavers and receive widespread recognition and financial rewards. Workshops are far more sophisticated than nomadic tents or village settings. They have more sophisticated tools such as large permanent vertical looms and use a large variety of dyes. Also, rug weavers usually work from a cartoon (a drawing laid out on squared paper) or work under the supervision of a master weaver who calls out both the weaving and the color of each knot. As a result of this sophistication, workshop items are technically very exact and can be produced in variety of sizes including very large sizes. Worn A worn rug is a rug which may have discoloration, fading, insect or foundation damage. However, rugs with no damage and only extensive pile wear are also considered worn. Worn rugs, even though are worn, should not be dismissed because similar to fine and average rugs, they can still have a very good resale value. Some are even considered valuable antiques. Wool The coat of sheep. Wool is the most frequently used pile material in handmade rugs. Return to Top Return to Top Return to Top Zar An outdated Persian unit of length about 1.04 to 1.12 meters or 41 to 44 inches. Zar-o-nim (Persian) A rug size of about 3x5 ft, or one and a half zar in length. Zell-i sultan A design consisting of all-over repeating vases with floral arrangements. An example of this design can be seen in Qum rugs. Return to Top