Before the modern world, with all its wonders like electricity, the internet and aeroplanes, there was a great art form in the Middle East that had been practised for millennia – the art of the carpet. Every region in the Middle East has its own unique style of weaving; from Iran to Yemen, from Oman to Syria, there are hundreds of local patterns and motifs in the carpet world. But there is one more type of carpet, the customised classical carpet, that was almost lost to time.
In the 20th century, techniques of mass production were applied to every industry, including carpets. This meant that carpets were now much cheaper (and thus accessible to all), but they had lost their charm – they were no longer handmade or individualised. Carpets in the UAE were almost 100% factory-produced until recently. Local artisans were forced to take up factory jobs, taking care of minor tasks like packing and labelling, leaving the bulk of the production process to machinery.
But then, the internet changed things. In the 21st century, UAE residents have become more aware of the value of preserving their traditional art form of customised classical carpet weaving. A quick Google search will guide you through all the various styles available, which region they originate from and their history. The internet has also made it much easier to place orders for custom carpets – you can just choose your size, material, colour, and patterns and make your purchase, and it gets delivered to your address in a few weeks’ time.
There are several advantages to buying a bespoke carpet:
- Personalisation: by choosing your desired size, pattern and colour, you are treating the carpet as an expression of yourself.
- Perfect fit: the carpet is suited absolutely perfectly to your home and complements other aspects of your home interior. This ensures that its colour and material do not stand out as ‘odd’.
- Handcrafted: bespoke carpets in the UAE are always hand-woven and of a higher quality than mass-produced carpets. The fibres used are of a higher quality, and more attention is paid to minor details like patterning. These carpets usually have a longer lifespan than factory-made ones.
- Cultural significance: The Middle East is historically known for its handmade, customised carpets and not for mass-produced ones. Purchasing a customised classical carpet from a local artisan helps keep this art form alive.
There are two main drawbacks for the average buyer: a custom carpet is significantly more expensive than a mass-produced one and takes much longer to weave. So, buyers need to treat these carpets as long-term investments rather than routine purchases. Because a well-crafted custom rug can last several generations, one can treat it as a family heirloom to be given to their children and grandchildren.
As awareness increases, custom carpets in the UAE have become more popular. Now, there are exhibitions like Domotex Middle East and Index Dubai, where talented carpet weavers display their products. Buyers can visit such venues, compare various styles, and place their orders on the spot. Have you checked out custom carpets for your own home yet? Start your research!
