Towards the middle of the first millennium with anxious European merchants and explorers afoot, the eastern gates to the mystical and remote regions of the ancient world were flung wide open by a commerce savvy Chinese emperor. This medieval diplomatic happenstance provided Western civilization a new network of trade routes stretching from the Italian principality ports of the Mediterranean Sea, to the bartering bazaars of the Middle East and onward to the far-flung desert outposts of the dynastical provinces of the Orient.
Woven, looped, and intertwined, these nomadic pathways became collectively known as the Silk Road. Offering access to a blossoming and rich cornucopia of culturally artful commodities, the wealthy patrons and rulers were enthralled with the caravans of tribal treasures at hand. Most significant of these gems was the vast array of hand-stitched and loom-spun rugs used to drape walls and adorn floors in their posh and luxuriant villas, castles, and palaces.
Uniquely crafted in creative yet traditional tribal designs, naturally dyed color-ways, and twisted with comforting textures of wool, cotton and silk, this regal intrigue can easily be understood. Two nobly
knotted mats, one with an Aubusson inspired arrangement and the other an Ikat double helix strand, are emblazed in striking shades of fuchsia, indigo, marjoram flower and coriander. A linen-toned braided jute throw makes a fitting backdrop for a stacked assortment. A flat-weave viscose Kilim in a citron and aqua chevron is distinctly folded and in-set atop a mint and mustard seed Oushak which complementarily overlays an over-dyed vintage floral saturated in deeply hued turquoise and subtly dotted with buds brushed in ink.
By the 15th Century the winding routes were closed off due to an empirical decision by a trade boycotting Ottoman sultan. Yet by this time rugs were being produced throughout the corners of Asia Minor, Persia, India, China, and territories in-between. With them in such high demand, alternate avenues of shipping were established to avert such tyrannical decision-making and to this day they still provide our modern marketplace with the lush, most vibrant, and hand-picked…fruit of the loom.
Patrick Casey is the manager of Green Front Interiors and Rugs in Raleigh, a store offering luxury furnishings, rugs and designs. Visit the Green Front store at 2004 Yonkers Road in Raleigh, or call them at 919-754-9754. For more information, visit www.greenfront.com.
