Kashmir, in the far north of India, is famous for fine textiles, from its shawls to its carpets. Kashmir silk rugs are hand-knotted rugs woven in silk, usually in Persian designs, with a fine weave and a brilliant luster. Many show a striking change of color depending on the angle of view, a quality that makes them especially beautiful hung on a wall or laid where light falls across them.
| Origin | Kashmir, northern India, especially around Srinagar |
|---|---|
| Knot | Asymmetric (Persian) |
| Materials | Silk pile on a silk or cotton foundation |
| Knotting | Fine to very fine |
| Typical designs | Persian medallions, tree of life, garden, hunting and prayer designs |
| Sheen | Colors change noticeably with the direction of the light |
The Kashmir weaving tradition
Carpet weaving in Kashmir is traditionally linked to the 15th-century ruler Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin, who is said to have brought weavers from Persia and Central Asia. The craft grew alongside the region's famous shawl weaving and was revived in the 19th and 20th centuries for export. Kashmir weavers are known for their skill with fine silk and for the delicacy of their designs.
The talim
Kashmir weavers traditionally work from a talim, a coded written script that tells them, row by row, which color to knot. A master often reads or chants the talim aloud while the weavers tie the knots. This system allows complex designs to be woven accurately without a full-size drawing at the loom.
Silk and sheen
Silk reflects light strongly, and in a silk rug the pile leans slightly in one direction. Viewed from one end the colors look light and shimmering; from the other end they look deeper and richer. Many Kashmir silk rugs are deliberately woven in colors that make this effect especially striking. See Rug Materials.
Designs
Kashmir silk rugs most often use Persian designs: Tabriz, Kashan, Isfahan and Qum medallions, tree of life and garden designs, hunting scenes and prayer designs. Their colors range from traditional reds and blues to softer golds, greens and pastels.
Caring for a silk rug
- Placement: silk shows wear faster than wool; use it in a low-traffic room or hang it.
- Sunlight: keep it out of strong direct sun, which can fade silk.
- Spills: blot immediately; do not rub, and do not use household cleaners.
- Cleaning: only by a specialist experienced with silk.
See also Indian Rugs, and compare Qum Rugs and Hereke Rugs, the best-known silk rugs of Iran and Turkey.
