The boteh (commonly known as paisley), is a familiar motif in Oriental rugs.  There are various translations of the word and what exactly the pear shaped symbol represents; however, descriptions usually refer to a pine cone, flower or teardrop. In rugs and Kashmiri shawls, where the boteh was first utilized, the motif is generally used in a repetitive manner.  Designer Madeline Weinrib presents a modern day interpretation of the boteh in the Tibetan rug [above] pairing simple white botehs on a crisp solid colored field.  The rug is available in four colors ranging from runner size to 10 x 14.

You can find paisley patterned clothing for women on fashion designer Paul Smith's site, so it's not surprising to find his rug design for The Rug Company would be equally fashionable.  The Paisley Aubergine rug [above] is hand-knotted of Tibetan wool and made in Nepal.  His random boteh pattern features botehs within a boteh made up of colored swirls à la mod 1970's fabric. The cocoa colored wallpaper in ceramist Christopher Spitzmiller's home [above and below] adds a masculine backdrop to floral filled botehs.  Symmetrically placed, the botehs become a deliberate part of the design, keeping this rendition true to the classic paisley style.  (Photos via NYSD).

Tags: Atticmag, boteh motif, madeline weinrib, paisley design, passion for rugs oriental rug blog, paul smith, the rug company