The History and Appeal of Silk Persian Carpets: Masterpieces of Art

The History of Silk and Persian Carpets: Their Deep Connection

What image comes to mind when you hear the word silk?

There are many different impressions of silk, such as "a fiber that gives off a luxurious luster," "a material that is gentle on the skin," and "a historic natural fiber that has been loved since ancient times." In fact, silk has a history of several thousand years and has been prized in many countries as the oldest and only "long fiber" available to mankind. Persia (present-day Iran) is particularly famous for its beautiful silk-based crafts, the Persian carpet. In this blog, I would like to take a closer look at the deep connection between silk and Persian carpets, the skills of the craftsmen, and the challenges for the future.

Why silk continues to be loved

Techniques developed over thousands of years

Silk originated in China. It is said that it was transmitted from there to the west along the Silk Road, eventually reaching the great Persian Empire. What is surprising is that the route covered several thousand kilometers. Silk, which was transmitted over an endless distance and a harsh journey, was not only valued as a fiber, but was also a valuable commodity that was prized like a jewel.

Combining beauty and functionality

When used in clothing, its softness and luster lift the mood of the wearer and are gentle on the skin - it feels like a special luxury. Silk also has excellent moisture absorption and release properties, making it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Although it is an expensive material, its great appeal is its practicality.

The evolution of silk in Persian carpets

The Art of Weaving: Persian Carpets

Persian carpets are carefully woven by hand, with knots tied in the weave, so it takes an enormous amount of time and effort to complete one. In the past, wool was used as the material, but the introduction of silk added a higher level of artistry and intricacy to the carpets. The texture and luster of the carpets became more pronounced, and they began to shine like paintings.

Importing silk improves quality

The fibers transported from China, the main producer of silk, to the faraway great country of Persia dramatically improved the quality of Persian carpets, as if adding a new essence. The finer the thread, the denser the weaving became, and the more delicate the designs and intricate patterns could be clearly expressed. Thus, Persian carpets fascinated art lovers all over the world, and they are now recognized as "the world's finest hand-woven carpets."

Skills that craftsmen continue to hone

Silk thread production and variation

Silk is made from raw silk extracted from silkworm cocoons, but there are actually large individual differences in quality. No two cocoons are the same shape or condition, and many parts of the reeling process (the process of pulling thread from the cocoon) require human hands. Even in today's world where automation is increasing, there are still some parts where we rely on **human eyes and senses**, and this careful selection process determines the quality of the silk.

Even the machines are impressed by the precision

When you step into a Persian carpet workshop, you will see "skilled handiwork that even modern precision equipment would be astonished by." The craftsmanship required to knot thousands, or even tens of thousands, of extremely fine silk threads to create beautiful patterns without a single flaw is not something that can be acquired overnight. It takes a long period of training to finally attain this advanced technique .

The Future of the Silk Carpet Industry

Changing times and the inheritance of tradition

As the world's industrial structure undergoes major changes, silk carpet making is no exception. While there are calls for mechanization and efficiency, there are also persistent calls for the merits of handwork and artistry. High-quality silk carpets are uniquely valuable precisely because they require so much effort, and they continue to be loved across borders. However, in order to survive as an industry, it also needs to be flexible enough to adopt new technologies and marketing methods.

Our mission: Preserving quality for future generations

I'm sure that some of you reading this blog are thinking, "I'd like to get my hands on a real silk Persian carpet someday," or "I'd like to see the craftsmanship of the artisans up close."

We want to be a bridge that connects "everyone who is attracted to the charm of silk carpets" with "the artisans who are committed to passing on the weaving techniques to the future."

• Assessing quality: First, we ourselves must understand the true value of silk carpets and develop the eye to select the best ones.
• Collaboration with workshops: We communicate closely with workshops to make suggestions for better yarns, weaving methods, and designs.
• Adapting to a new era: Preserving traditional skills and pride while embracing new challenges such as expanding sales channels overseas and disseminating information online.

We believe that by continuing these efforts, we can further increase the value of silk carpets and pass them on to the next generation.

Summary: The ever-loved brilliance of silk

Silk, which has a long history, is a miraculous fiber that combines the blessings of nature with the skill of artisans. Persian carpets that incorporate silk, combined with the intricacy of the weaving and design, exude a beauty and presence that cannot be found anywhere else.

However, in order to continue to maintain that brilliance, it is essential that we acquire the correct knowledge and that the techniques that our craftsmen have cultivated evolve with the changing times.

Exploring new possibilities while preserving tradition may not be an easy path.

But as long as the allure of silk carpets continues to draw people, it's well worth continuing on that path.

Perhaps one day a silk Persian carpet will brighten up your life.