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Designs & Motiffs of Wool Silk Carpets
Hand-made carpets are broadly segregated in two categories in terms
of designs & motifs - Oriental/Traditional (with floral motifs) & Semi-floral
(geometric) designs. Oriental carpets have traditional, floral designs
that are primarily Persian patterns and motif having a classic center
medallion with accompanying corner motifs rest against fields of lotus,
peony and cloud scroll. The medallions come in all kinds of varied shapes
and sizes and are traditionally inspired from ancient symbols of nature,
culture or religious significance. These center-medallion designs in
turn have repeated all-over pattern of interlaced garlands and arabesque
foliage bobbins flawlessly woven in continuing flow of smaller and dispersed
medallions in the field spread with a medley of colors and motifs. This
harmony of Tulips, Chrysanthemums, Lilies and Carnations, amongst others,
in all their virgin glory is then extended splendidly and deftly by expert
hands in the multi-pronged borders, numbering in some cases up to even
12 on each side, of these infinitely amazing carpets of Kashmir .
The other types of traditional, oriental motifs that
have attained tremendous popularity in today's time are the semi-floral
motifs that are available in all kinds of sizes, colors and quality types.
The most obvious differentiating point between these and the 'full-blown' floral carpet designs is the
absence (almost) of a prominent or large center medallion of any kind.
The semi-floral oriental motifs that do not have any center medallion
(with a structured or a focal theme) are termed as all-over designs with
gracious and delicate artistry of scattered floral motifs in the entire
field of the carpet. These carpets are very unique in terms of designs
and motif and require a great deal of intricate workmanship. This 'medallion-less'
facet in the carpet's motif is a preferred choice for many people, specially,
when looking to place the carpet under the dining or the coffee table
and other such areas thus eliminating the notion of a medallion design
getting 'covered or hidden', that tarnishes its beauty because of the
presence of the table or an equivalent piece of hard-top furniture. Hence,
in this case, the all-over motif in such a carpet can be viewed from
any direction or angle without compromising on the gorgeousness and appearance
of the carpet's design irrespective of the furniture that can now be
placed on the carpet.
In the same way we also have an extensive, but, exclusive
selection of carpets that have another set of inimitable motifs that
are absolutely unusual and singular in all aspects of designing, color
combination and visual appearance. These carpet designs have a popular
term for reference coined as "Garden" scenes or motifs set in gardens of palaces of yore.
These designs originated in Persia and are widely believed to be inspired
from one of the paramount wonders of the ancient world - The Gardens
of Babylon & The Palace of Persepolis. The same inspiration has been
modified in Indian context too, in the form of the famed Shalimar Garden
(literally translated as - the Garden of Paradise) situated in Srinagar,
Kashmir that enthused artists to create the Shalimar Garden designs along
with the original interpretations of other such motifs, like the Bakhtiari,
Hamadan & Qum from Persia.
These motifs have an assemblage of unusual shaped boxes
(rows & columns
of squares are seen in Hamadan & Qum, while square, rectangles, etc.
are strategically woven in the Bakhtiari motif) representing various
symbolic motifs placed in one field of intricate pattern. The imagination
behind the creativity of every such motif is immensely artistic, what,
with its non-repetitive pattern of various designs in speckled hues and
colors of diversity ever expanding with a new and unique motif in numerous 'boxes'
of creative beauty that continuously mesmerize the beholder by its exquisite
finery, marvelous workmanship and individualism.
Additionally, we also have another set of designs that
are particularly created only in wool/silk blend & in pure wool categories. These
designs are exceptionally popular keeping in mind the need or the quest
for creating a nouveau décor with a fuss on the agenda - "less
is more". These carpets have been a rage for several years now and are
a top draw on the shopping list of interior decorators and architects
who recommend the contemporary or post-modern setting for their clients.
This selection has carpets with geometric and tribal
themed motifs that are contemporarily stylized with unconventional patterns
that are very atypical in terms of designs and motif that blend in any
décor
(especially a more offbeat and a minimalist décor) with ease.
These uniquely 'avant-garde' carpets have a distinctive and a refreshing
feel, both in terms of appearance and the artistic liberty involved in
color matching, thereby making each creation, truly one-of-its-kind.
Although many of these carpets owe their originality of the designing
to the quaint tribal symbols of the ancient world, but, as with any art
these creations involve an integration of antediluvian motifs with metallic
and earth-inspired colors that is both dissimilar and fashionable too.
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