Terminology
Rugs and carpets are textile floor coverings that add warmth and style to a space, with terms like pile, weave, and backing defining their construction and characteristics.
Dallas Rug Terms
Welcome to our comprehensive glossary of Persian and Oriental rug terms. This guide is designed to help you understand the language and terminology used in the world of Oriental rugs.
Pile:
The surface of the rug formed by loops of yarn, either cut (plush) or uncut (looped).
Knots:
The basic units of weaving in a hand- knotted rug, created by wrapping yarn around warp threads.
Warp:
The vertical threads in a rug’s foundation, extending from top to bottom.
Weft:
The horizontal threads in a rug’s foundation, passing over and under the warp threads.
Hand-Knotted:
Rugs crafted by hand, with individual knots tied around the warp threads.
Tufted:
Rugs made by punching yarn through a fabric backing, creating a looped or cut pile.
Flatweave:
Rugs without a pile, woven on a loom, resulting in a flat, reversible surface.
Hand-loomed:
Rugs woven on a manual loom, often showcasing the artisan’s craftsmanship.
Dyeing:
The process of coloring rug fibers, either before spinning (pre-dyeing) or after (post-dyeing).
Antique Wash:
A treatment applied to rugs to give them an aged or worn appearance.
Border:
The outer design or pattern that frames the central field of a rug.
Medallion:
A prominent, often circular, design element at the center of some rugs.
Mofit
A dominant or distinctive design element or figure in a rug or weaving.
Fringe:
The loose, decorative ends of warp threads at the edges of a rug.
Sisal:
Natural plant fibers are often used to create durable, textured rugs.
Oriental Rug:
Typically, hand-knotted rugs from Asia, known for intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
Pile Height:
The length of the fibers on the surface of the rug, determining its thickness.
Kilim:
A flatwoven rug, often with bold geometric patterns, originating from various regions.
Soumak:
A flatweave in which the weft encircles groups of warps. The encirclement is usually horizontal, though it may be diagonal with loops staggered across warps.
Sprouting:
The appearance of individual yarn tufts or fibers protruding from the rug’s surface. It can occur due to normal wear and tear, and typically involves trimming the protruding fibers for maintenance.
Abrash:
The natural variations in color or tone that occur within a handmade rug due to differences in dye lots, wool quality, or weaving techniques, creating subtle shifts and irregularities in the rug’s surface coloration.
Shag Rug:
Any rug with long shaggy tufts. More formally, a rug with a pile at least ¾ inch in length.
Oushak Rug:
Turkish rug originating from the Oushak region, typically featuring soft colors, spacious floral motifs, and geometric patterns.
