"SAMARKAND-BUKHARA SILK CARPETS" WORKSHOP

"SAMARKAND-BUKHARA SILK CARPETS" WORKSHOP

“Samarkand-Bukhara Silk Carpet” workshop established in 1992 as a Joint Venture Workshop with the aim of reviving the lost tradition of carpet weaving in Central Asia. Located in the heart of the ancient Silk Road under the direction of master craftsman, Haji Muhammad Ewaz Badghisi.

Our Silk Carpet workshop has initiated a unique program to make our business resemble a family of carpet experts who work in an atmosphere of high morale. For that reason we have instituted benefit which improve the lives of the workers and therefore also improve the quality of the carpets. We believe that it takes a happy worker to make a beautiful carpet. Initially, we give each of carpet-weaving employee, most of whom are women and all 18 years of age and older, a four month training. Weavers work 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

MATERIALS AND WEAVING TECHNIQUES

A hand woven carpet is a unique object. To fully appreciate its individuality and craftsmanship it is important to gain an understanding of the basic principles of carpet weaving, which in itself can add a new intimacy to our love of carpets.

It takes many months to make a carpet. It requires millions of silkworms cocoons to make just one carpet. After the silk is gathered into threads, natural dyes are applied to the spools of silk thread. Each carpet is washed by brushing with water and carpet shampoo.

Natural Dyes, come from plants, minerals and insects. For plants dyes, any part of a plant could be used, flower, leaves, stems or roots. Some of the most natural dye sources are outlined below:

• Madder: beige and brown colors
• Pomegranate: pink and red colors
• Indigo: for dark blue, light blue and green (mixed with isparak flower)
• Asparagus flower: for yellow and orange (mixed with madder)

Cochineal for red and sometimes Saffran for yellow and golden colors.