Tibetan rugs are truly a unique product of the ancient culture of the indigenous people of Tibet and Nepal as well as the incredible climate and environment they live in. Because of the high altitudes, usually well over 8,000 feet, the Tibetan plateau is host to a only a few native animals and plants. Tibetan rugs are made primarily from the virgin wool of Tibetan highland sheep that can only thrive in this harsh climate.

In Tibetan culture, every carpet or textile had a purpose. The traditional Tibetan home uses the rug as a futon mat when sleeping or sitting. In some of the nicer homes, the rugs are hung as art on the walls. In such cold temperatures, beautiful hand woven wool blankets and felts are used for the people as well as the livestock which are decorated with tightly woven rope ornaments and small woven rugs. The ropes are woven by the women as they tend to the sheep, intricate geometric patterns or Buddhist and animal motifs can be found in the earlier pieces.

The distinguishing characteristics of Tibetan rugs are their vivid colors, huge and few motifs, and relatively plain and dominant backgrounds. The background colors are usually blue, black, red, orange, and less frequently yellow or ivory. The motifs are woven in red, orange, pink, yellow, beige, blue, green and white. The designs are strongly influenced by Chinese and East Turkestan styles and can either be geometric or curvilinear. The different types of rugs include the medallions, the flower and rosettes, the mythological animal and birds, the geometrical designs, and the rugs used in monasteries for ceremonial purposes.

Tibetan rugs are produced on upright looms using the centuries-old method of hand knotting, and unlike any other in the world, the Tibetan knot is indigenous to Tibet. Tibetan rugs are woven (the wool is knotted around a rod and later cut to create the loop pile) is an ancient technique, as early or earlier than the techniques of knotting now commonly used. The process of making Tibetan rugs is unique in the sense that almost about everything is done by hand. After the yarn is hand-spun, the wool is hand-dyed then rolled-into a ball for the master weaver to create new masterpieces infused with rich and ancient tradition.

All Tibetan rugs at Madison Millinger are RugMark certified to ensure that no child labor was used in the manufacturing process.

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