Tibetan
Rugs Are Tibetan Rugs Popular?
We've all heard about Tibetan rugs, but are Tibetan rugs popular
in our North American culture? The popularity of Tibetan rugs waxes
and wanes from month to month. One minute there is interest in the
North American market, the next there is none.
Tibetan rugs are a tribal tradition and their designs are pictorial
and generally focus on the Buddhist element. There rugs will also
include geometric patterns. Collectors can't seem to decide if these
unique rugs are worth their investment dollars or not.
Older Tibetan rugs in good condition are hard to find. Most never
left Tibet and thus the only ones available in the North American
market are the more current rugs. Few rug dealers provide an opportunity
to purchase beautiful old Tibetan rugs. More often than not the
rugs that have found their way to the western world are the checkerboard
rugs which are a variety of the tsuktruk weavings. They are generally
a single color pile weave made from narrow strips that are sewn
together. These rugs do not have designs.
The Wangen rugs come from a village called Wangden in the village
of Tsang. Wangden was always one of the traditional weaving centers
were the warped face rugs originated from.
Variations in color and structure have emerged but from where no
one is certain. Most have been assigned the Bokhara name which is
given to all Tekke Turkmen rugs but there is suspicion that these
rugs actually originated from the Wangden area which has emerged
as a modern weaving center.
Tiger rugs wear also quite trendy for a period which has now waned.
The interesting thing about Tibetan rugs is that there popularity
is not dictated by availably. The tiger rugs have many of the expected
Tibetan characteristics and they are sold as meditation rugs or
mats. The older ones where a solid color of brown, black, or deep
blue, while the modern ones have developed a wider color palette.
Any mat that is made in the shape of a square is considered a mediation
mat in Tibet. But realistically if that was the case every Tibetan
would be committed to dharma and meditation and no one would be
doing anything else.
The checkerboard rugs appear to be the most popular rug from Tibet.
It's apparent that when it comes to Tibetan rugs an understanding
of the pictographs is not appreciated in their rugs, unlike with
other cultures. There appeal as a home decor piece is very understandable
as they are distinct and unique but as a collectors rug it's hard
to comprehend what drives the market.
The market for Tibetan rugs is more of a decor market and less of
a collectors market and even still the Tibetan rugs seem to have
a difficult time penetrating the market with any strength. When
it comes to interest in Tibetan rugs it appears to be tied to an
understanding of dharma and Buddhism.
You are probably well aware that the Tibetan culture is seldom discussed
and few people understand Buddhism or the Tibetan people including
those in the Pamir Mountains which are located in north Pakistan.
Perhaps the lacks of understanding of the Tibetan people is the
reason that the Tibetan rugs can't seem to grab a continuously comfortable
market share.
The Tibetan rugs are unique, intriguing, and an excellent conversational
piece. If you are looking for a rug you should certainly consider
Tibetan rugs.
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