The process of making Tibetan rugs is highly unique because mostly everything about them is meticulously handmade. With the advent of Modern technology, machines have taken over a few rug making aspects, mainly, due to cost cutting and the gradually increasing lack of knowledge. A few of the finishing touches can also be made by the machines.

When Chinese communist took over Tibet in the early 1950, refugees from Tibet began migrating to Nepal and India. With it, they also brought the rug making knowledge. In Nepal, the business of rug making is a booming industry and one can find several rug exporters there.

In most of traditional Tibetan arts, the influence of Indian culture that was transferred to Tibet with Buddhism is evident. However, the art of rug making was brought to Tibet from China. The designs are a proof of this fact. There are several Tibetan rugs that bear a close resemblance to Chinese rugs but plenty others that betray the concept of Tibet, have also been found.

But most rugs that one finds exhibit a blend of Tibetan style with Chinese patterns. Tibetan rugs are essentially Chinese rugs with a difference. In color, Tibetans prefer bright, enthusiastic colors. Even the simplest of Tibetan furniture and humblest household utensils are lively and the least ugly.

Different Types of Tibetan Rugs

1. Area
2. Wool
3. Stripe
4. Prayer
5. Antique
6. Tiger

Nowadays, one can find these rugs in a range of several materials. There are wool and silk blends rugs, rugs of Hemp and rugs made from fibers of Banana. There are many exporters who make custom rugs for Interior designers, rug dealers, architects, design firms and other aspiring designers and artists. Various designs of these rugs to choose from are now at one’s disposal. Most rug makers have their own line of designs.

The prices of these rugs are based on the quality of the wool used in making them, in addition to the design, luster, longevity, feel and durability of the rug. These days, New Zealand wool is increasingly being used for making these rugs, since it can observe dye for rich colors easily.

For eco friendly people, there is an option of vegetable dyes that are used in place of chemicals also available in the market.

Traditionally, Tibetans used natural resources for obtaining dyes. The indigo obtained from India was used to obtain blue color, for red madder, they used lac, which was brought from Bhutan, for yellow, indigo was mixed with green, which was also got from rhubarb a plant abundantly found on the hills of Tibet and for browns alpine valley walnuts were used.

Until aniline dyes were invented, these natural dyes were used to knot the prettiest of Tibetan rugs that mankind ever came across.

By the way there is a popular Tibetan rug company called Vermont Tibetan Rug which you might want to buy from.

The particular way in which the Tibetan rugs are made where wool is wrapped around a rod and then piled up is now considered an ancient technique. The designs are exceptionally different as they include every thing from the vast use of colors to the plethora of religious symbols. Distinguished floral patterns inspired by the local vegetation are often seen.

Most prominently seen are the Buddhist symbols as well as rare snow lions and tigers motifs. The rugs are available in many sizes the most common is the sitting sleeping size called the Kanden. A small square rug may traditionally be used for meditation, an important part in the Tibetan culture.

Antique Safavieh Tibetan Rugs

Most of the rugs are made up of the purest sheep virgin wool. Unlike many others around the world which may be cotton or reed based. The dyes used to color these rugs come from a variety of different oils. Earlier rugs usually thought to be from around the 1800 hundreds are said to vegetable dyed. Very few rugs from this period are said to be chemically dyed.

Vegetable dyes, once cooked in a vat, applied to the wool are impossible to reproduce to an exact match. That is why sometimes we get wonderful variations in color within a single rug.

The modern Tibetan rug shows influences from India and china. With the increasing westernization the dying and weaving patterns are changing and one fears that the traditional Tibetan rug may be lost for ever. The Tibetan may use these rugs for a variety of purposes that may include as sleeping mats wall hangings saddles etc.

Each rug has a unique story of its own. One is often captivated by the simplicity of its design, how wonderful it looks even though the minimalist use of color. The rugs represent not only the isolation of the Tibetan people but how as humans even in isolation our individuality seeps deep in to us and very so often colors the world around us.