Ethnic clothing, Tribal accessories, and Local art.

In addition to our rugs and hand painted gourds, we have also gathered unique items from the surrounding countries of Uzbekistan, Turkey, and other regions of Central Asia. In this collection we have quite a variety of these items such as robes, dresses, decorative wall hangings and bed covers, fabrics, tribal jewelry, saddlebags, pillows, and cushions. They are rare and note-worthy additions to any wardrobe or home.

Ikat-Atlas: This unique fabric is made through a special process of dyeing and laying out a pattern with individual fibers before weaving it together. This process is usually done by hand and requires a great deal of precision and skill on the part of the weaver. Uzbek Ikat-Atlas is bright and lively. It is made with silk that is produced by the craftsmen themselves from their own carefully cultivated silkworm farms. This silk is what gives the final product its softness and beautiful luster. Geometrical and floral patterns of the Ikat-Atlas are becoming popular all over the world. Ikat-Atlas is a wonderful example of Uzbek craftsmanship and culture and is used in the making many other Uzbek handmade articles. We carry an expanding selection of Ikat-Atlas fabric lengths that are ideal for an eye-catching table runner or to use as you would any other fabric to make articles of clothing or pieces for your home.

Chapan Robes: This is one of the most important and distinctive elements of traditional Uzbek garb. These robes are known for their comfort, rich colors, original designs, and bold exotic patterns. They are either made of cotton fabrics and then elaborately embroidered with silk floral motifs or constructed of ikat-atlas fabric. An incredible piece of folk-art, they are appropriate for display or everyday wear.

Gourds: Local artist Kathleen Sailor has a collection of hand painted gourds on display. Using various combinations of burning, carving, oil painting and dyeing, they are each transformed into unique, one-of-a-kind creations that you just have to see once to be captivated by. They are perfect as gifts and statement pieces that you can showcase in your own home for years to come.

Suznis: These large embroidered tapestries from Uzbekistan are colorful and exciting. They are generally used as wall decorations, bed covers or throws. Their colors are diverse and bright with hand embroidered designs that are highly geometrical and showcase floral elements such as rosettes, wreaths, and leaves. Grid layouts are highly common. They were originally used as wedding gifts and are quite durable, made with cotton fabric as the base, the detailed embroidery is done completely by hand with silk threads. These quality home textiles and statement pieces are rare finds. 

Hand knotted takes 10 times longer than tufted

Oriental rugs have long been viewed as prized possessions and valuable heirlooms.  What are the exact qualities that have enabled them to maintain their reputation and desirability through the years? It is as simple as this: the manner in which they are constructed matters immensely. The quality of the materials used is also no small matter.

Every rug starts with a basic foundation of warp and weft threads. The warp threads are stretched length-wise first and then the weft threads are woven perpendicular to the warp.  With fabrics and some rugs, the weft itself makes the pattern of the piece. But with hand-knotted rugs, the warp and weft make up a grid that the pile, the visible yarn tufts, can be attached to.

“Hand-tufted” usually refers to rugs where the yarns have been attached to a canvas foundation using a tufting gun to punch strands of wool through and trim the ends to a uniform height. Then glue is used to secure the wool to the foundation and the back is covered with another layer of canvas to give it a finished look. These rugs may have an oriental design, but they are not constructed in true oriental fashion.

This photo shows the back of the two different methods of attaching the yarn.

“Hand-knotted” is the technique that has been used for centuries to create these durable and beautiful rugs. The strands of wool yarn are all first tightly tied to the wool or cotton foundation by hand, and then they are carefully trimmed by hand. This way of knotting ensures that the rug will not fall apart with age; in fact, it will become stronger as the knots tighten with the movement and use of the rug.  Each rug made in this fashion will also have minor inconsistencies in symmetry or fringe binding that make them the unique pieces of art they are rightly regarded as.

The wool used in these rugs is also a major factor as it comes from the local sheep that have been grazed in lands where their diet naturally produces high amounts of lanolin in their coats. It is this lanolin that gives the wool its ability to repel dirt and stains as well as produce vibrant colors when dyed and retain its luster and shine.

The time that the craftsmanship of the knotting process takes is also a significant factor in the value of a rug.  Hand-tufted rugs can be produced much more quickly as they are much less labor intensive than hand-knotted rugs. It can take up to two years for the intricate pattern of an eight-foot by ten-foot rug to be completed.  

   

When you invest in a genuine hand-knotted Persian rug, you can be assured that you are contributing to an enduring trade and a rich tradition based on high standards of quality.  These beautiful, functional, and durable pieces of art continue to be distinctive possessions and it is our hope we can help you find a rug that will serve you with satisfaction for years to come. 

Caring for your rugs

Truckee Mountain Rug Co is dedicated to placing high-quality, hand-knotted, all-natural Persian rugs into homes where they will be loved and treasured for years to come.

We have over 2,000 rugs and accessories available between our showroom and our webstore, www.truckeerug.com.  We also wash and repair rugs and offer rug pads, ethnic clothing, fine art painted gourds, and selected antiques.

By taking the time and effort to properly care for your precious rugs, they will provide you with decades of beauty, comfort and luxury.

o   One of the best ways to protect your rug is to take the simple precaution of keeping it from getting it dirty in the first place. Most people in rug weaving countries remove outdoor shoes when entering a house. Wearing socks is much gentler to a rug than hard outdoor shoes or heels, plus leaving them at the entrance tracks in much less dirt. Of course, an accumulation of dust and dirt through time is inevitable and when it is time for a cleaning, we will be happy to wash it for you!

o   Reposition your rug 180 degrees every six months. This will allow for even wear of the pile, and prolong the life of your rug. Repositioning will also permit you to inspect your rug, carefully checking under the rug, pad, and floor for evidence of parasites such as moths or carpet beetles.  If you find any damage of any kind, we can inspect it and provide necessary repairs.

o   Vacuum your rug very carefully. Utilize a vacuum with a beater bar only or just suction- no brushes- and be cautious to avoid catching the fringe. Rugs that are left in areas of low traffic for long periods are prone to pest problems so remember to check any carpets you have in areas such as guest rooms and hallways that aren’t used often.

o   Spot clean immediately! If there is a spill or other problem, time is of the essence! BASIC CLEANER RECIPE: 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/2 tsp liquid dishwashing detergent, 2 cups tepid water. Most Oriental rug dyes are acid-fast. By adding a little white vinegar to the wash water you make the wash water more acidic, and this reinforces the bond between the dyes and the wool in the rug, and so helps prevent the colors from running. Then bring your rug in and we will help restore your rug to its former glory!

o   Have your rugs professionally washed thoroughly every one to three years. We recommend that you never entrust your investment to an on-location cleaner or one that uses machines. Improper surface cleaning only drives soil deeper into the wool fiber, making it more difficult to remove. The natural fibers of these rugs are extremely absorbent, taking any kind of liquid deep inside the yarn so the harsh chemicals and high heat used with commercial methods could permanently damage your investment. Our cleaner uses professional immersion cleaning where the rugs are allowed to drink in as much cold, soft water as possible. This allows every square inch of the rug to be rinsed, flushed, and groomed, including the foundation, which is very important to the life and value of the rug.

Bring yours in for a cleaning estimate or call us to arrange an in home visit!