The conservation of antique carpets, rugs, and textiles is a delicate marriage of art and science, requiring deep knowledge and highly specialized skills. The entire being of the carpet, rug, or textile – its soul -- is determined by its origin, the quality of the wool, silk, or cotton used for the warp and weft, and the types of dyes selected to create it.
The structure of the weave will vary based on origin, as will the materials and dyes. Was the rug made in Persia? Is it tribal? Is it from a certain workshop in Kushan? What wool was selected in England? In what year? All of these features are analyzed before any work is started. In addition to this information, the source of the damage – excessive light, moisture, insects, traffic, location, and environmental conditions, just to list a few – is a critical factor in determining the best conservation techniques. Our work ensures that the integrity and the value of each piece are maintained. As a result of our expertise, we are repeatedly chosen to conserve some of the finest museum, public, and private collections in the world.
The Conservation Process for a 16th Century Cairene Carpet
The Conservation of a 17th Century, $33 Million Rug from the William A. Clarke Collection
For more information about your rug/carpet conservation, please feel free to contact us, and we would love to help you.