By Jane Tulanian

Allover Pattern Rug

A brief and basic rug dictionary can be helpful while shopping or asking questions. Learning the language of carpets lets a buyer talk about rugs like like a pro!

Abrash - Refers to changes in color due to different dye batches. Seen as a horizontal band across the rug, often mistaken for fading. Common in old rugs and mimicked in new styles.

Allover Design – Repetitive pattern in the field, uninterrupted by a medallion or borders.

Aniline Dye - Synthetic colorant introduced in 1856. Use restricted in early 1900’s due to poor quality.

Arabesque – Curving, ornate design of intertwined flowers and geometric figures.

Artificial Silk – Fiber such as mercerized cotton used to mimic the appearance of silk.

Bleeding – Fugitive dye (chemical or vegetable) that runs into a surrounding area upon getting wet. Often from wool not being rinsed properly during the dyeing process.

Border – Widest stripe surrounding the field area.

Boteh – Paisley (pear shaped) patterned motif. Often used in a repetitive fashion.

Cartoon - Graph paper drawing of knots and colors the weaver uses as a guide to construct a rug.

Curvilinear – Generally floral motifs of continuous curved lines and tendrils.

Directional Rug – Design elements within the field face one way and are intended to be viewed from one end, such as a prayer rug.

Edge – Sides (length) of a rug, which are usually overcast in wool to protect the foundation. Can be wrapped in multiple colors of wool (as with a Heriz) or left unwrapped like many Chinese rugs.

Ends – Narrow ends of a rug (width) usually finished with fringe or decorative band.

Elephant Foot – Octagon design divided into sections with designs such as flowers or trees. Seen in Turkoman & Afghan rugs. Most recognized Bokhara design.

Field – Largest central area of the rug, surrounded by outer borders.

Foundation – Fibers a rug is woven on. Comprised of vertical warps and horizontal wefts. Knots are tied around these strands to form the pile.

Fringe – Vertical warps that extend at one or both ends from the foundation.

Gul – Angular octagonal-like medallion presented in repeating rows. Found in Turkoman rugs.

Herati –Flower or rosette design centered inside a diamond that is flanked by leaves.

Inner Guard – Or guard border. Border that lies between the field and main border.

Inscription – woven into the design, usually at one end. It can be a date, the weaver’s signature or poetry.

Kellei – A size term for a very wide runner. For example, a rug that measures 6×16 feet.

Medallion – Design much like an emblem used prominently in the center of the field area. Typical shapes are oval, circular, diamonds, octagons and hexagons.

Painted Rug – Chemically treated rug with colors bleached and then recolored by hand.

Warp – Vertical threads that make up the foundation.

Weft – Horizontal threads that make up the foundation.