An intimate look on 'carpetology'

An intimate look on 'carpetology'

The Indonesian carpet industry's wide range of carpets and
rugs, which covers a multitude of textures, patterns and colors,
has left consumers spoilt for choice.

The downside to this bounteous supply of visual interest
underfoot is that we, the laymen, the uninitiated and untrained,
may, metaphorically speaking, be taken for a ride on a carpet
through the somewhat esoteric domain of "carpetology" by
unscrupulous vendors.

Handmade oriental rugs

They are a marriage of parallel warp and crosswise weft yarns
(which form the base), and projecting pile yarns that carry the
colors and design.

The rugs are handknotted with pile, and the durries and kilims
are handwoven without pile. These carpets (if larger than 9 feet
by 6 ft in size) and rugs (if smaller than 9 ft by 6 ft) may come
as a wool pile on a cotton base, silk pile on cotton base, a
combination of wool and silk pile on cotton base, or all wool or
silk (very rare).

Wool is the most common fiber used in the pile because it is
most resilient, while cotton is commonly used for the base. Silk
rugs are the most expensive for, besides being resilient, they
have a luxurious feel and lustrous appearance -- somewhat like
pashmina in the fashion world and caviar in culinary circles.

Besides the type and quality of fiber used, the strength of
the rug increases with the density of knots per square inch. The
creme de la creme of these rugs can have as many as 900 knots per
square inch, said Erman Kadir, the owner of Aladdin, an oriental
carpet retail store on Jl. Fatmawati, South Jakarta. The origin,
craftsmanship, rarity and condition of the rug are some of the
factors that determine its value.

These handmade beauties are mostly imported from Iran
(Persia), Afghanistan (if you can find one under the present
circumstances), Pakistan (it's not going to be easy here
either!), Kashmir and Jaipur in India, and China.

China, with its fine wool and silk, is producing these rugs
and carpets in Middle Eastern designs but has thus far not
attained the fine dyeing techniques of the Iranians who have been
in the business for centuries, said Ayub Chaudhry, an oriental
carpet retailer.

"From the color scheme and brightness of the carpet, we can
tell if they are Chinese or Persian made. It is difficult for the
layman to discern between them," said Chaudhry.

Oriental carpets, which are classified as city or tribal, are
named after the city or tribe of origin, for example, Isfahan,
Nain and Qum after cities in Iran, or Baloch, after a tribe in
Afghanistan, Chaudhry explained.

He also stressed that there was no comparison between a
handmade oriental carpet and a machinemade carpet.

"A handmade oriental carpet is a work of art and a machinemade
carpet is a machinemade carpet!" the proprietor of Raja Carpets
said.

"Despite all the scientific inventions, despite having entered
the 21st century and the world of the Internet and mobile phones,
there is no machine that can tie individual knots like the human
hand," Chaudhry added.

"So buying a good quality carpet is like owning a piece of
history," he beamed while looking at his collection of carpets
placed in neat stacks and rolls at his store on Jl. Panglima
Polim, South Jakarta.

A Canadian couple, looking for a "piece of history" in
Chaudhry's store agreed. "There is quite a phenomenal variety (of
oriental carpets) in the store. There is something for every
taste," said the wife, who wished to remain anonymous. "These
carpets look just as good on hardwood or Italian flooring."

"They are works of art," quipped the husband.

Besides, customers are given the privilege of carting home the
carpet of choice to keep it for a few days (with no obligation to
buy) just to be absolutely sure of their selection.

Oriental rugs have also found their way into offices. Besides
lending elegance to workplaces, these exquisite rugs have an edge
over wall-to-wall carpeting in that the former are easy to
maintain.

"They can be easily sun-dried and washed, and so are more
hygienic too, said Chaudhry.

And if these rugs are partly damaged by fire or water, or are
torn, all is not lost for they can be restored.

"We have expert craftsmen from Pakistan to mend damaged
carpets and they (the damaged carpets) will look as good as
before," said Erman.

Commercial carpets

Commercial carpets, which include the wall-to-wall color
statement and area rugs (mostly for households) are made of
synthetic or natural fibers sewn through a backing of canvas or
other material. The loops of these fibers can be cut or left
uncut to make the pile of the carpet. Although loop pile carpets
are more durable, cut pile carpets take the cake in the looks
department.

Wool, which has the softest, and most pleasant and natural
texture is also the most expensive carpeting material.

"I believe wool is still the best yarn available for carpets
because it is a soft natural fiber and has high pile weight per
square meter. This makes them thicker and more comfortable to
walk on," said Stephen Hadiutomo, president director of P.T.
Indonesia Carpets.

However, among the synthetic fibers, nylon reigns supreme. Its
pluses include its excellent wearability, abrasion and stain
resistance, and resilience.

"Today's nylon is as good as wool. It has the characteristics
of wool plus the strength of synthetic fibers," said Harkrishan
Bedi, marketing director of P.T. Classic Prima Carpet Industries.

Olefin (polypropylene) is also a strong synthetic fiber that
wears well, is easy to clean and relatively cheap.

As with oriental rugs, the quality of the carpet depends on
both the fiber and density of the tufts. Its durability will also
depend on the twist in the yarn (the tighter the better), whether
the yarn has been heat-set to hold the twist (particularly for
cut pile carpets) and of course the level of traffic (walking).

Carpets lying in the path of heavy traffic will obviously wear
faster, so its performance rating on a scale of 1-5 (5 is no
change in appearance, and 1 is severe change in appearance) will
indicate if it can be used in heavy traffic areas such as between
the living room and kitchen.

Are commercial carpets subject to the same consumer whims
affecting apparels? The answer is in the affirmative, although
not quite to the same degree -- for obvious reasons. Today,
according to several retailers, earthy tones and geometric
designs are in and children would not want to be caught without a
Teletubbies or Power Puff Girls carpet in their rooms. --Jamuna
Nair