Home & Living Digital Feb Mar

Page 121

H&L’s Galleria: Area Rugs as an Art Form |

The oldest known surviving carpet, the Pazyrych, dates back to the 5th century B.C.

“A pattern is either right or wrong...it is no stronger than its weakest point.”

From the geometrically complex Ayacucho designs of Peru, to the wildly contemporary sisal rugs of Brazil, area rugs play a significant role in the artistic traditions of cultures worldwide. The art of carpet and rug weaving dates back to 3000 B.C. when nomadic tribes in Turkey and Mongolia wove rugs from camels, sheep and goats to keep earthen floors warm. The oldest surviving area rug, the Pazyrych carpet, and was discovered in 1949 in the Pazyryk Valley of the Siberian Altai Mountains. Although exact origins remain unknown, the ancient carpet dates back to the fifth century B.C. and exhibits qualities found in most Oriental rugs, except it has a red field enclosed by two borders instead of one, and features design motifs seen in Persian and Assyrian architecture, rich colours absorbing symmetrical patterns and a handknotted technique still popular today.

Building green on Vancouver Island

for

20years

250-746-5372 | coulsondesign@shaw.ca | davidcoulsondesign.com

FEB/MAR 2012

Scheherazade undoubtedly understood the innocent seduction of magic when she told the story of Aladdin and his flying carpet. Hand made area rugs captivate and seduce like shiny, sparkly women. At their finest, most living Leos embody all three qualities with honour and ease. If we consider the essence of a woman “divine superfluous beauty” and define art as such, then it makes sense to treat area rugs as art in the home. My mom instinctively knew this.

CUSTOM MADE AFFORDABLE

— William Morris

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