As the name suggests, Tibetan carpets are carpets
manufactured in Tibet. Tibetan carpets and Tibetan Rugs apart from being
manufactured in Tibet are also manufactured by the Tibetan refugees
living in Nepal. Tibetan carpet manufactured in Nepal mainly consist of
modern and western patterns in pastel colors. These carpets are labelled
"Tibetan" to distinguish them from the countries different
production areas.
Tibetan carpets have existed for thousands of years but have got an
international recognition only now, that too by the efforts of certain
NGOs. The patterns and sizes of Tibetan rugs are so versatile that they
are as suitable for floor covering as for wall hangings or accent rugs,
or for runners and throws.
The carpets are also manufactured in the manufacturing units owned by
the government in Lhasa. These carpets are exported through Beijing and
these carpets are labelled as "Lhasas".
Designs
The carpets are unique in their structure and design and even have
developed separately from the traditional Persian carpets. The designs
are influenced by the Tibetan tribal culture, Buddhism and Chinese
culture to an extent. The designs are simple yet beautiful,
complementing the contemporary scenario. Tibetan carpets also have lots
of similarities with the Chinese patterns. Tibetan carpets are often
small as they are mainly meant to be used in the homes and in the
temples.
Types of Tibetan Carpets
On the basis of designs and patterns, we can categorize Tibetan rugs
and carpets as follows:
Medallion carpet

In
the medallion carpets there are three centerpiece medallions having
multiple borders. Medallions commonly used are the square shapes
surrounded with leaves and flowers, the round medallions with flowers
inside, the flower medallions which are almost always lotus or peony,
and the animals such as the Manchurian crane, snow-lion, dragons
encapsulated in a a round medallion.
Floral All-over Carpets
The floral design Tibetan carpets consist of 2 or 3 large flowers
similar to a multi-medallion, or many large flowers in an all-over
layout. Flowers mainly used are lotus, the peony, and the chrysanthemum.
Floral all over patterns are usually without borders in an endless
repeat.
Mythological Design carpets
Mythological design carpets consist of mythological animal and bird
including the dragon, the phoenix, the white Manchurian crane, the bat
and the bee. These mythological creatures are either represented in the
medallion or in an all-over layout.
Geometric Panelled All-over Design
The geometric designs are less common and usually comes in a panelled
all-over layout with flat-looking flowers inside either square or
diamond cells.
Monastery Carpets
Monastery carpets or Monastery Rugs are usually small and are used for
various ceremonial and ritual purposes. The colors used on these types
of carpets are orange or red. One typical example of Monastery rugs is
the tiger rug which is used by high-ranking monks as a seat.
Colors
Tibetan carpets are available in vivid colors, and relatively plain and
dominant backgrounds. The colors used in th background are usually blue,
black, red, orange, and less frequently yellow or ivory. The colors in
which the motifs are colored are woven in red, orange, pink, yellow,
beige, blue, green and white.
Weaving Style

Tibetan
carpets are manufactured using the so-called Sehna knot. Wool is used
for making the warp, weft and pile. The wool are spunned and dyed in
small batches by hand. This process is called as "pot-dyeing."
The pile is dyed with pigments from plants and minerals found in Tibet,
except indigo and lacquer that is imported from India and Bhutan.
Wool is obtained from sheep living high on high Tibetan plateau. Wool
contains high amount of lanolin and long fibers which creates
exceptional wool that is soft and silky yet stain resistant and durable.
Tibetan Carpets are hand knotted and are woven using one knot at a
time. The finest of the carpet has 100 knots per square inch. Weavers
tie each knot into a double knot around a cotton backing. This process
is repeated continuously for creating the entire carpet. Each knot
constructs a small tuft of color which adds to the overall design. Large
carpets contain over one million knots. The hand-knotting technique
produces a carpet of unmatchable quality and beauty beyond imagination.
Weaving Loom

Tibetan
weavers use horizontal traditional loom for carpet weaving. It is a
vertical broadloom that is set upright against a wall with the weaver
seated on the floor. Weaving starts from the bottom. This type of loom
is used in Tibet for making the best carpets in the central U and Tsang
region. Horizontal traditional loom is used mostly by Tibetan refugees
in India, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan.
About Tibet
Tibet is situated on the Plateau region and inhabitates Tibetan people.
Tibet was annexed by China in 1959 and since then it has been the part
of China. The language spoken here is Tibetan. The population of Tibet
is mixed one and consists of ethnic Tibetans. Other ethnic groups in
Tibet are Menba (Monpa), Lhoba, Mongols and Hui Chinese. Tibetan people
follow Buddhist religion. Sizable number of population also follow
Islam. Tibet is full of Buddhist monasteries. Some of the important
being Ani Tsankhung Nunnery, Changzhu Temple, Dorje Drak, Drepung
Monastery, Drigung Monastery, Dzogchen Monastery and many more. Tibet is
also known for its cuisine, music and art.