Menu    Main page    Past and Present    The arts and crafts center   Photos    My friends    Contact me	Past and Present Past. Although there is no written record of the history of carpet weaving in Tibet, it is likely that it was already well-established as a local fold art in the western and central regions of the country by 1000 CE The use of a vertical loom and the "cut-loop" knotting system which produces a thick, durable pile, are techniques which migrated from Western and Central Asia and Chinese, Turkestan. References to pile carpets can be found in the biography of Tibet's great saint Milarepa, who lived in the 11th-12th Century. The predominant function of carpets among the Tibetans has been as a seat or a bed. For nomads in their tents, lay people in their homes, monks and nuns in their monasteries, carpets provided a source of warmth and comfort in the severe climate and sparse surroundings. Carpets were also used to cover pillars in the temples, to hang in doorways, and especially as saddle blankets and saddle covers, a source of great pride for horseman. Most weaving was done within the home or in small workshops which produced carpets for sale to monasteries and the wealthier individuals in the area. Eventually the province of Tsang in southern Tibet gained a reputation for the skill of its weavers, and carpets from Gyantse and Shigatse were particularly admired. But it was not until after the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959, when those who had fled the resulting atrocities in their homeland were faced with the hardship of surviving as refugees in Nepal and India, those Tibetan carpets developed into a commercial export industry. Present. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in an effort to preserve Tibetan culture identity and traditions in exile, initiated brisk rehabilitation projects to keep his people together and to give them a means of livelihood. Hence, carpets weaving centers were started in many refugees’ settlements and gradually the carpet business has become a flourishing international concern. Today, Tibetan carpets are a popular choice for home and commercial furnishings in many countries throughout the world. The current production combines the richness of this extensive tradition with the demands of a contemporary market. The long-stapled, resilient wool of Himalayan sheep, historically esteemed for its strength and luster, is blended with soft New Zealand wool, then carded and hand-spun to create a well-textured, sturdy yarn ideally suited for carpets. Our dyeing process is based on techniques that originated in Persia and have been orally transmitted through generations of Tibetan carpet-markers, using such natural sources for color as indigo, walnut, madder, myrobalan, and rhubarb. The soft, earthy tones, which result from these vegetable dyes, are chemically washable, and will retain their quality through many years of use. For those who prefer brighter colors, we also offer carpets made with chrome dyes. Designs on Tibetan carpets have always employed a wide range of pattern and motif, drawing from the abundant symbolism of legend, religion, and mystical history. To suit modern tastes, we have modified these traditional designs and produce many new patterns appropriate to the interior decor of today's homes and businesses. Available in a variety of sizes, Tibetan carpets will grace your environment with beauty, warmth, comfort, and the wealth of a remarkable tradition. All Rugs purchased online are delivered across the UK usually within 3 – 5 days. Copyright 2002-2003 © The Tibetan Carpet LTD.