Weaving rugs in the Himalayas...
Tibetan/Nepalese Rug Story
The art of rug weaving in the Himalayan region is part of an age old tradition practiced primarily for use in the home. Originally rugs were produced for mats, door covers, horse sadlles, bed covers and pillar rugs which were placed around columns in Buddhist temples. Traditional Tibetan weavings generally reflect the influence of the Buddhist religion in Tibetan culture and art.
After the invasion by China in 1959, Tibetans fled as refugees and settled in Nepal & India. To make a living in a foreign land, rug weaving began again in Tibetan refugee camps primarily in Pokhara and the Kathmandu valley of Nepal. By the mid 1970's rugs made by Tibetans living as refugees in Nepal were being exported to Europe in small quantities. In 80's export boomed of Nepalese rugs to Europe mainly to Germany becoming the top export of the country. After the much acclaim in Europe, Tibetan/Nepalese rugs began to receive increasing attention in the United States. First limited to art collectors, antique dealers and interior decorators, Tibetan/Nepalese rugs have now caught the interest of many Americans who realise the exceptional value and durability of the rugs. Due to their handcrafted appearance, highly stylized patterns and beautifully matched color schemes, American public have come to appreciate the real beauty of these rugs.
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