Rugs are of different types and varieties and they are known all over the world based on their origin. One unique type of area oriental rugs are Tibetan rugs. Here is everything you need to know about Tibetan rugs.

Tibetan Rugs

Rugs from Tibet are very popular and for a good reason. Tibet is located between the Soviet Union, the People’s Republic of China, and India. It’s a disputed region, but the people it inhabits are skilled and take rug-making very seriously. Tibetan rugs date back to many decades when workers would weave rugs by hand displaying the beautiful culture, and the stories of people and their land.

Rugs from Tibet are known to have a religious background or at least when they started a long, long time ago. These rugs are made of wool, cotton and, sometimes, silk, but the two former materials are the most common and popular and they impart durability and strength to these rugs. Tibetan rugs are a thing of beauty and every rug, no matter what the design or pattern, is mesmerizing and unique in its own way.

Tibetan rugs are the embodiment of beautiful and rich colors, delicate motifs, hand embroidery, and ancient stories. The color variety of these rugs is to die for and there’s something for everyone. Whether you are a minimalist and enjoy subtle and soft hues or if you fancy bolder and rich colors for a striking style statement, Tibetan rugs have you covered.

You will be impressed by the collection of colors and designs that these rugs have to offer and you’ll be tempted to get your hands on each and every rug.

The History Of Tibetan Rugs

The people of Tibet are multicultural and that’s because it’s surrounded by three different and varying places. Combining all of the cultural traits, Tibet has become one of its kind where creativity speaks for itself.

In the early days of rug making, Tibetan people would only weave rugs for their homes and religious places like Buddhist monasteries and more. As they got more and more popular, trends seemed to take over and Tibetan rugs also got modern. Now, Tibetan rugs come in various shapes, sizes, designs, and colors, and over time, things are getting more and more advanced.

The best type of rugs from Tibet are still the handmade kind because the look of those rugs is just out of this world and the hard work speaks for itself. This is something that no machine can replicate. Speaking of machines, there are Tibetan rugs that are made on looms and knitting machines, but again, the quality and the result just don’t hit as well as the handmade ones.

Materials

Woolen rugs are the most popular ones and Tibetan rugs started by being made out of Tibet sheep wool, which was thick, fluffy, and had a reasonable tuft that made the rugs super comfortable to sit on. Now, there are a lot of blended materials and synthetic ones that are being used to make Tibet rugs, but the quality of the wool rugs remains unmatched.

Another characteristic of Tibetan rugs, that goes way back, is the fact that these rugs were used to make sitting on the hard ground comfortable. The thick and fluffy wool rugs were used to seat guests and house folks as they would chat, catch up and enjoy lunch and dinner after a long day of work.

Varieties Of Tibetan Rugs

Tibetan rugs are available in a huge variety of sizes. Here are some of them:

Tibetan Area Rugs

These rugs are small and sufficient and they’re very popular among foreigners who want to take a special souvenir back to their home and have a piece of Tibet with them.

Area rugs are pretty easy to maintain, clean, and take care of, and there is a plethora of designs to choose from. The colors and patterns are rich and addicting, so you’ll want to get your hands on one of them because they’re very special.

Floor-Length Rugs

Floor-length rugs are also very common and they’re really beautiful, especially in open spaces, where the beauty of the rug can shine through. These rugs are great and all, but they’re going to be insanely expensive, especially if you get the handmade variety because judging by the sheer size of the rug, it can take months or even a year to complete the weaving process.

These rugs can also be used as wall décor and they’re usually hung up on walls or even framed in public places. Center medallions and floral designs, that are humongous and beautiful, are the key characteristics of these rugs and they’re usually the most popular design of floor-length rugs. That’s because the span of the rug elevates the look of the design and the room is transformed.

Tibetan Runner Rugs

These are long and thin rugs that are perfect for the hallways or the stairwell. After Tibetan area rugs, runner rugs are probably the most popular because they are so easy to move around and fit in the right places as well.

The designs available in these rugs are either geometric, abstract, or animal prints. They are very unique and fit in well with any type of décor whether it’s contemporary or classic.

Cost Of Tibetan Rugs

Tibetan rugs are considered to be items of luxury. There is a lot of hard work that goes into the making of these rugs and the overall workmanship involved in the rug is exceptional, which is why these rugs run a bit expensive. You can get a 4×4 feet area rug that will cost you anywhere between $400 to $600. As the size of the rug increases, the price will also hike up. But keep in mind that the price of any rug depends on many other factors like its materials, quality, age, and others. So, a Tibetan can cost you from $100 to $1,000,000.

How The Price Of Tibetan Rugs Is Determined?

There are a couple of factors by which the price of a Tibetan rug is determined and those are:

  • The fact whether it’s handmade or machine-made.
  • The material used in the making of the rug (wool is going to be a lot more expensive than cotton or other synthetic materials).
  • The time it took for the rug to be weaved completely.
  • Whether there are any other additions like hand embroidery, fringes, and special modifications.

Why Buy Tibetan Rugs?

Tibetan rugs are pretty up there with Persian rugs. They’re a wonderful investment because these rugs are going to last you forever and you can use them as family heirlooms for generations, given that you maintain them well.

Tibetan rugs can also be considered as antique rugs and they are the best-selling items in any rug store. If you want to get your hands on an authentic Tibetan rug, then it’s good to visit a reputable store that deals in rugs of different kinds because you’ll have greater chances of finding good variety and exceptional quality rugs.

Buying Tibetan rugs online isn’t the best option because it’s a gray area, where you can easily be duped, but if find authentic sites that you can trust, then go ahead.

Conclusion

Tibetan rugs are a work of art and they’re famous for their intricate designs, beautiful stories behind motifs, and exceptional quality. Look for stores that offer wholesale oriental rugs Virginia to find some Tibetan rugs that match your budget.