More
about Natural vs. Synthetic Dyes
There is
agreement among nearly all old-rug collectors that natural dyes
in a rug are better than synthetic. But the issue is clouded by
the fact that often it is impossible without expensive
laboratory analysis to be certain whether a given dye in an old
rug is natural or synthetic. So much has been written about
natural dyes vs. synthetic (see Oriental Rugs Today, Emmett
Eiland, Berkeley Hills Books) that I will not tackle the subject
here. But I believe it is safe to say that no rug buyer will
ever regret acquiring a rug or carpet with well applied natural
dyes. Natural dyes definitely add to the cost of a rug, but they
also add to its value.
Hand
Spun vs. Machine Spun Wool
For thousands of
years, weavers spun wool by hand to create the yarn that makes
up the pile of Oriental rugs. By about World War Two, nearly all
wool was spun by machines. Now, since about 1985, a small but
appreciable number of weavers are again spinning wool by hand.
Though a few people prefer the uniformity and formal appearance
that machine spun wool imparts to carpets, most collectors and
connoisseurs value the effect produced by hand spun wool. When
spun by hand, yarn absorbs more dye where it is loosely spun and
less dye where it is spun tightly, thus producing pleasant
variegation in the colors of a rug. Though there is room for
disagreement, I believe that the best Oriental rugs are woven
with hand spun wool.