Wool and Silk Rugs

Wool and Silk Rugs encompass a wide variety of types of rugs.

These Handmade Rugs are made from wool as well as silk. Generally Rugs that contain the combination of wool & silk are finely made rugs.

In the pile

As a pile combination wool with silk is particularly visually effective. This is because the shiny silk fibres contrasts with the more matt appearance of the woollen fibres. Hence often silk is used to highlight parts of the rug’s design.

In fact, this is especially evident in prestige Persian Rugs such as the rugs from Isfahan, Nain and Tabriz.

Silk Warps

Silk is sometimes used for the warp threads.

The warp threads are the threads which run throughout the rugs (foundation) upon which the knots are tied. These surface at each end in the form of fringes.

As warp threads silk is an interesting material. This is because it has excellent tensile strength. Furthermore due to its thinness, it allows for even finer knotting. Hence this is why the extra-fine prestige Persian Rugs such as Isfahan Rugs and Tabriz Rugs often have silk fringes (warps). 

Thus, as a result Rugs with Silk Warps (& wool pile) can have breathtakingly high knot counts. Therefore incredibly intricate designs can be woven.

In fact, you might be interested to know that some of our finest and rarest rugs in stock fall into this category.  

Afghan (Wool &) Silk Rugs

Probably the finest type of Afghan Rug are Wool and Silk Afghan Rugs. 

These Afghan Rugs usually have Silk warps. However, probably the most noticeable feature of these silk fringes is that the silk is incredibly wiry to the touch. This is because the silk is a raw silk. 

For the pile: these fine Afghan Rugs are made from Wool & Silk. The designs favoured are often classic Afghan tribal patterns, Caucasian inspired designs and occasionally maps & pictorials. 

 

The Oriental Rug Merchant, 11 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1UL, UK

Specialists in handcrafted Traditional Rugs, Oriental rugs, Persian Rugs, Afghan Rugs in South East England serving Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and the whole of the UK.

01892 533080