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Artistry in wool and silk

As my husband knows only too well, carpets (er, Rugs) fascinate me. Even though we have wall to wall carpet in our flat, I have several wool area rugs. My mother Eleanor loved rugs, and we had many of them in our home growing up. She taught me how to look always at the reverse side, which in good hand made rugs will be almost as colorful and clear as the front side. Apparently, Irakli's mother Gulika likes them too, as she had a stunning one in their flat.

So, no matter where I am, I can't resist checking out the rugs and carpets. I was in heaven in Georgia, as rugs are common. In Tblisi, my 'cousin in law' Ilya was kind enough to endulge me and took me into several studios/stores. Here, folded carpets were stacked as high as my head. Antique ones, several hundred years old, brand new ones from Georgia, Iran, Turkey and even China. They brought out rug after rug and rolled them out with flamboyant ceremony. The brilliant colors, designs antique and modern, the shimmer of the silk and the sturdiness of wool....it took all my powers of resistance to avoid purchasing the entire lot. Especially since Visa was cheerfully accepted. But, since we hope to move within a couple of years, I just didn't want to pack them back to the US, then move them again shortly. Especially since we plan to visit Georgia about every 2 years henceforth. Let them keep my rugs for me, and I'll just pick them up in a couple of years!


My favorite 'carpet experience" was in Sighnaghi, where we visted a "carpet factory". Actually named something like "Factory for training weavers in the old ways" this training, production and art studio was set up to ensure traditional methods weren't lost. Although it's on a main street, right above the square, and just down from the museum, the only indication was a sedate bronze plack on the building-and a rug or two hanging out the window. Stepping inside, we were treated to a blaze of color, pattern and design. Especially interesting were the looms and the weaver steadily working away, hands moving so fast it was impossible for us to follow. Of course we had to ask questions, and she (along with an older lady who might have been her teacher) told us about how she had been learning for several years, that it took two to three years to learn how, and that she loved the artistry of it. Her hands moved on the loom so quickly, each knot individually tied and trimmed, that we had to ask her to slow it way down so we could even see her movements. It was fascinating. Again, they brought out many rugs for us to view. Here are a few of my favorites. A medium sized area rug, in wool, handmade, costs around $800 USD and takes several months to make.

Georgia has a long history of making and enjoying lovely carpets. I found these old photos of T'bilisi shops...not much has changed over the years.

Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

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