Genuine Aubusson carpets are now being hand-woven with the same traditional process that has been practiced in the village of Aubusson since the 14th Century. Since the 14th Century genuine Aubusson carpets have been made only in France-until Asmara began bringing the technique, the art, and the age-old weaving practices to China.
Asmara's Aubusson Weave Collection is the result of the successful collaboration between Aubusson artisans, who compose the cartoon, a life-size hand painted rendering of the Aubusson weavers in China, who translate the cartoon, using their sense of style and appreciation of historic Aubusson weaving techniques.
How are Aubussons made?
Aubussons are composed of a warp and a weft. The warp is made of cotton and stretches the length of the loom, under tension, between two rollers. The weft is the colored wool that is worked over and under the warp thread. Unlike most manufactured carpets, the weft is discontinuous: an individual weft thread is interlaced with the warp only where its particular color is required by design. For instance, the weaver individually shades and defines each petal of a flower before moving on to the next. Eventually, the weft will cover the warp thread entirely. Aubusson is the wool weft, made up of the different colored yarns forming the decorative pattern. The warp will not contribute to the design except as it affect the texture of the cloth.
Aubussons are woven with multiple strands of colored wool, which allows for the subtle shading that is exclusive to Asmara. While at the loom, the weaver is able to choose from an array of colors in order to achieve the effect of a painting. The bobbins, filled with blended yarn colors in hundreds of variations, are located next to the weaver. While choosing the exact shade at her discretion, the weaver must have a sensitive and well-trained eye to pinpoint the slightest variation of color. With nimble fingers, the bobbins are pushed through and over the warp, delivering the proper amount of color to the subject at hand. Minute increments of color allow the range needed to create the subtle shadings and crisp detail found in the original Aubussons developed in 14th Century France.
Asmara has recreated the fresco effect in their new Asmara fresco™ Collection of Needlepoint, Savonile™ and Aubusson Carpets. The Asmara fresco technique replicates the patina and shading of the 16th century frescos by using ultra-fine yarn that is first dyed in anywhere from 150 to 300 colors and then plied together to create thousands of new shades. This enormous color palette allows the weaver to create the many subtle shades found in a 16th century fresco.
Look closely at a leaf or a petal and notice how each and every stitch is made up of a combination of as many as eight different colors, even the background of the rug is shaded in this way. In fact the background is planned out as a pattern. There is no relief for the weaver when they are weaving the background because the entire surface of the rugs is a pattern!
Plying the yarns into thousands of color combinations and weaving every inch of the rug as a pattern is much more time consuming than the typical rug. Only the most skilled Asmara weavers and dyers are entrusted to weave an Asmara fresco™ rug.
When you look at an Asmara fresco rug such as a fresco™ Needlepoint and fresco™ Savonile™ you will be immediately taken by their unique beauty. We hope you will look a little closer to appreciate the work that went into them.
The origin of Needlepoint has been traced back three thousand years to the ancient Egyptians, who used the Needlepoint stitch to decorate clothing. In the 16th Century, King Henry VIII of England imported the finest embroideries from France, Flanders and Italy. Now Asmara has created a renaissance of this three thousand year old craft.
Asmara Needlepoint rugs are stitched entirely by hand, with 100% pure wool. The process begins with an artist’s rendering. This hand painted design is then converted into black and white lines on squared paper. Each tiny square on the paper represents one needlepoint stitch. Each color is represented by a symbol and these symbols are written on the chart to indicate the color of each stitch. The entire process is done by hand and may take up to six weeks to complete.
The next step in making an Asmara Needlepoint rug is the dying of the wool. Color fast, Swiss chemical dyes are used to create hundreds of shades to make up yarns for the Asmara Needlepoint rugs. Up to seventy different colors are selected for each rug, in contrast to as few as twelve shades for other needlepoints available in the marketplace.
Needlepoint rugs are hand stitched on a foundation known as a canvas or scrim. The canvas is made up of cotton thread woven to form thousands of tiny squares. Each stitch covers one individual square in the canvas. The canvas measures 36 inches in width. Since most rugs are wider than three feet, several widths of canvas must be joined together. If you look closely at an Asmara Needlepoint rug, you will detect a subtle line where the canvas is joined. Special skills are required to make the joins as smooth and invisible as possible. A properly joined canvas will insure a strong and durable needlepoint rug. The canvas is then stretched across an embroidery frame, which will keep the canvas taut, making it easier to maintain even and neat stitching.
Asmara Needlepoint rugs do not have a backing for several reasons. First, great care is taken to insure that the reverse side of an Asmara Needlepoint rug is free of loose knots and yarns and presents a mirror image of the front. Additionally, when a needlepoint rug is cleaned, the lining will need to be detached and re-sewn, resulting in a costly bill for labor. It is recommended that a rug pad be used to keep a needlepoint rug in place. If a needlepoint rug has a backing, the rug pad will adhere to the backing instead of the rug, creating a sliding movement when the rug is walked upon.
The Asmara Needlepoint Rug Collections are inspired by classic design found in fine antique rugs, archives, mosaics, old furnishing fabrics and architectural masterpieces. Fresh colors abound in Asmara’s Botanical designs, while the warm, aged patina of Asmara’s needlepoint rugs are worthy of sharing the floor with the finest antiques.
Considered one on the most beautiful and elegant rugs available today Savonnerie rugs were historically used to enrich and enhance the lavish ceremonies and state events in the palaces of France beginning in the early seventeenth century. Deriving its name from the soap making district area now a part of Paris, “Savonnerie” (soap-factories) soon became the accepted name for this style of rug no matter where in France it was made.
The Savonnerie rug represents the highest level of design sophistication, not only in concept but also in execution. Using the expertise of gifted artist and the mastery of skilled artisans the results are an exquisite, hand woven, rich pile, floor covering made with infinite care.
Using the same techniques used in France centuries ago, Asmara Savonnerie continues the tradition if fine workmanship using the finest wool available, highly skilled artisans trained exclusively in the Savonnerie technique, and magnificent designs inspired by those created in France.
Savonile™ is a new type of carpet created by Asmara after years of experimentation are recognized by their rich shimmering texture reminiscent of cut velvet or chenille.
The unique texture of Savonile is achieved by combining two different weaves, producing a surface that changes intermittently from a lush cut pile to a variegated flat weave with a uniquely complex blend of shading developed specially by Asmara, Inc.
Weaving method: Savonile carpets are completely hand knotted employing the finest imported wool yarns. A 9’x12’ carpet takes four weavers more than three months to complete. It may contain between fifty to one hundred different colors, each color being hand dyed to very exacting standards.
Durability: Savonile was subjected to a battery of twelve different tests by the Independent Textile Testing Service of Dalton, Georgia and was approved for all residential uses. Detailed results of the tests are available by request.
Design and Color Choices: Savonile rugs are available in a wide range of designs and colors ranging from clear colored botanicals to Italian Renaissance damasks to clean geometric patterns. See the Asmara, Inc. Catalogue for color pictures of the Designs.
When your aesthetic vision requires that the carpet be custom designed specially for the room, Asmara can assist you in realizing your objective.
Your Asmara Dealer will be happy to advise you on the best way to achieve your goal and assist you at each stage of the process. The Asmara Custom Studio is unparalleled in the carpet industry. It maintains an unrivaled collection of documented carpet designs going as far back as the 17th Century. It has a staff of the finest Carpet Artists and you can choose from a wide selection of unique hand-woven and hand-knotted weaves, including Aubusson, Bessarabian, Fine Needlepoint, Fresco™ Needlepoint, Venatura™ Needlepoint, Savonile™, and Savonnerie. The number of colors in an Asmara custom can reach 200 to 300. The Asmara Dye House maintains a vast Color Library ranging into thousands of subtle and unique shades, and they continually create new custom color as needed.
Asmara categorizes custom projects into three groups; each maintains
the exacting color and quality standards of Asmara.
I. Custom Size or Shape
If you wish to order an existing Asmara design in a custom size or
a custom shape, Asmara will produce this according to your specific
requirements. A scaled line drawing of the custom size and shape is
required. You may provide us with a clear and accurate line drawing,
or if you wish, Asmara Artists will create the custom line drawing
to fit your requirements.
II. Custom Color
If you wish to change one or more colors in an existing Asmara design,
Asmara will create a custom colored carpet according to your instructions.
An accurate color rendering made to scale is usually required. You
may provide us an accurate color rendering, or if you wish Asmara artists
will paint a color rendering
according to your instructions.
III. Custom Everything
When your aesthetic vision demands a unique custom design and special
colors you can be sure that the Asmara Custom Studio can help you realize
your vision. The journey from initial concept to a final tangible,
beautiful object is a rewarding experience but it requires expert knowledge
and skills to bring it to successful completion. Asmara is fully equipped
to assist you through all stages of this process: Your Asmara Dealer
can arrange for you to consult Asmara's Design Archives for design
and color ideas and Asmara's artists can create line drawings and color
studies for your approval. An
accurately colored
rendering drawn to scale is required. You may provide us your own
rendering or Asmara artists will create it according to
your instructions.
Procedure and Terms for Custom Orders
To get things started have your Asmara Dealer assist you in completing
the Custom Requirements questionnaire (CR) in which you will explain
your instructions clearly and completely. Please indicate if you would
like Asmara to create the line drawing and/or color rendering and if
you require a strike-off. Upon receipt of the CR, your Asmara Dealer
will send you a written quotation with the price and an estimated delivery
time. To proceed with the project, please indicate your
acceptance of the quote by signing it and returning it with a 50% non-refundable
deposit for the total cost of the carpet. Asmara will not proceed with
a custom project without a signed acceptance of the quote and the 50%
deposit. All artwork (line drawings, color renderings, color poms) must
be signed off by you at each stage of the process for the project to
proceed to completion.
If you have further questions or you would like assistance in creating
a custom carpet, please contact your Asmara Dealer, or contact:
Asmara Customer Service
Asmara, Inc.
88 Black Falcon Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
Phone 800 451 7240; 617 261 0222
E-mail info@asmarainc.com
Fax 617 261 0228
The high Lanolin content of the fine wool used to create Asmara carpets provides natural resistance to dirt and stains. No extra chemical protection is necessary.
Yes. Select a good quality, non-skid pad either thin or thick depending upon the amount of cushioning desired and the clearance needed to open doors.
To protect your investment vacuum regularly both the surface and the underside including the pad with a high quality vacuum cleaner suitable for use on fine oriental carpets. Send rugs out to high quality professional Carpet Cleaners only when necessary and make sure they specialize in cleaning oriental carpets.
1. Design - When choosing a Needlepoint rug, ask yourself if the piece is authentic to the style of a particular design. For instance, a French Aubusson design typically has architectural elements, fleur de lis and/or a center medallion. On the other hand, an English Country design boasts round cabbage-like flowers, floral bouquets and/or a garden trellis. The elements that make up a fine Needlepoint should be consistent with the original on which it is based. A qualified manufacturer will insure that the elegant lines of an Aubusson are not interchanged with the charming feel of an English Country pattern.
2.
Color - The number of colors used to stitch a Needlepoint rug may
range from 7 to 70. The use of many colors allows an artisan to simultaneously
achieve crisp detail and delicate shading. An artisan can create an almost
three dimensional quality to a design by selecting a large variety of
colors. The quality of the Needlepoint rug is reflected by the amount
of color used because the end result will be a vibrant, lifelike portrayal.
Chemical or vegetable dyes are used to achieve the coloration of a Needlepoint.
Buyers should note that chemical dyes tend to be more colorfast than
those that are made from vegetables and will tend to keep their vibrant
color for a longer period of time. Vegetable dyes tend to run when washed
and fade in time due to sunlight.
3. Materials - A fine Needlepoint rug should be handmade with 100% pure New Zealand wool, which is made especially for rug and carpet weaving. When shopping for a rug, feel the texture of the Needlepoint rug. If it feels rough or scratchy, than the wool is probably not of good quality. A fine Needlepoint should feel soft and smooth and be rid of scratchy bristles.
4.
Seams - Handmade Needlepoint rugs are woven on pieces of canvas measuring
30 inches
wide. When stitching a rug which measures larger than 30 inches, the
pieces of canvas will need to be sewn together. These seams should not be greatly noticeable when
viewing a fine
Needlepoint rug.
5.
The Reverse Side of the Rug - The reverse side of a Needlepoint
rug should be a mirror image of the front. Is there a cotton backing
sewn
to the backside of the rug? This is usually a telltale sign that a manufacturer
is attempting to hide untidy stitching.
The expense of cleaning a Needlepoint rug with a backing is greater because
the cleaners will need to remove the cotton backing and then re-attach
the backing when the cleaning is completed.
It is recommended that a rug pad be used to keep a Needlepoint rug from "crawling".
When a Needlepoint has a backing, the rug pad will adhere to the backing
instead of the rug and the pad will not be able to keep the Needlepoint
in place.
6. Price - The cost of a Needlepoint rug should reflect the quality of the artisan's work. A cheaper price does not necessarily constitute a better value. Purchase your Needlepoint rug for its handmade beauty and use of color and design.
Asmara carpets are handmade in China, by highly skilled artisans. Our Needlepoint carpets are stitched using the finest wool, in a multitude of brilliant colors.
Asmara carpets are made from the finest imported wool, dyed with color-fast Swiss chemical dyes. Asmara carpets are remarkably durable. Chemical dyes will not run when washed, and tend to keep their color for a long period of time. Additionally, Asmara rugs are often designed to have an antique appearance. Other manufacturers accomplish this by treating their rugs in special acid baths that increase the luster of the wool and provide for a an antique appearance. This process of washing the rugs in acid is to make up for the low luster of inferior wool and ultimately weakens the fibers of the wool reducing its durability. The next time you're looking at decorative rugs ask the salesperson how the rug has been treated.
Depending on the complexity of the design, an 8’x10’ carpet will take 6-9 months to create. However, Asmara maintains stock of all our designs in many sizes. Call your nearest Asmara dealer to determine availability.
The obvious answer is to contact a local designer with whom you feel comfortable working. Another option is to either contact the local Asmara dealer and ask if they have a "designer on call". A designer on call is a professional designer that the dealer may have a relationship with that can be your designer by appointment. Often times when the dealer is in a Design Center or Professional Building a list of available designers will be available to you. The fees for a "designer on call" may vary so please be sure to determine fees in advance.
Pricing for a particular rug is available through your local dealer and may vary from one location to another. Please contact your local Asmara dealer for the most current pricing.