THE RICHARD POINTON COLLECTION EXPECT THE EXTRAORDINARY A CURIOUS ANOMALY... ORIENTAL CARPET REPAIR step further than just copying and Sunday frem Given its exalted status in the galaxy of superfine Persian carpets, the Nain is without doubt a curious anomaly. Although reinterpreting, they started producing Persia, modern day Iran, has a carpet weaving tradition that carpets that, at that time, were even finer. goes back many centuries it is astonishing to discover that 100 years ago the Nain carpet didn't exist. Furthermore, at that time, the men and woman who were to go on and create some of the finest carpets we have ever seen knew absolutely nothing about the intricacy of the design and the fineness of the weave - in excess of carpet weaving. lar t etations The most obvious difference between the two of course is in the tonal range, The Nains are almost exclusively in ivory, light and dark blues, and mushroom. It is a palette that is so unusual that, combined with 500 knots per square inch or more for the better pieces - the carpet weavers of Nain have created a carpet that is intrinsically their own. Nain itself was a town of around 6000 souls in the Kavir-e-Lut, The Great Desert, 120 kilometres from Isfahan, the most beautiful city in We shouldn't be too surprised to see, that given its well-deserved Iran. For generations the people of Nain and the surrounding area reputation, copies of the Nain carpet abound, from within Iran itself were renowned for the quality of their handwoven fabric that was used to make traditional clothing and, most importantly, the aba cloak. Unfortunately, by the 1920's, the adoption of western clothing no finesse or subtlety whatsoever and, by comparison to the original, completely devastated this cottage industry and the lives of the they lack grace and charm. families involved. and even the Indian subcontinent. The colours of the copies are more-or-less correct and so too are the designs. However, they have The carpet illustrated is one of my favourite Nains from my collection. Remarkably, and in a very short time, showing a resilience that can scarcely be believed, these same weavers were producing hand knotted carpets and by the 1940's their Nains were regarded as the finest carpets in the country and therefore highly sought after. RICHARD POINTON Given its proximity to Isfahan, it was inevitable that the carpets from the Nain region would indicate a distinct "Isfahani" influence, particularly noticeable in the intricacy of the medallion and its surrounding floral adormment. However, the Nain weavers went one COLLECTION Oriental Carpets and Collectibles. Established 1987. Open 4 Days: Thursday & Friday 9.30am-4.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10.00am-4.30pm Showroom & Warehouse: 6 Armidale Street, Petone, Phone: 0800 rugsnz (0800 784 769) or 021 434 972 Website: richardpointon.co.nz i THE RICHARD POINTON COLLECTION EXPECT THE EXTRAORDINARY A CURIOUS ANOMALY... ORIENTAL CARPET REPAIR step further than just copying and Sunday frem Given its exalted status in the galaxy of superfine Persian carpets, the Nain is without doubt a curious anomaly. Although reinterpreting, they started producing Persia, modern day Iran, has a carpet weaving tradition that carpets that, at that time, were even finer. goes back many centuries it is astonishing to discover that 100 years ago the Nain carpet didn't exist. Furthermore, at that time, the men and woman who were to go on and create some of the finest carpets we have ever seen knew absolutely nothing about the intricacy of the design and the fineness of the weave - in excess of carpet weaving. lar t etations The most obvious difference between the two of course is in the tonal range, The Nains are almost exclusively in ivory, light and dark blues, and mushroom. It is a palette that is so unusual that, combined with 500 knots per square inch or more for the better pieces - the carpet weavers of Nain have created a carpet that is intrinsically their own. Nain itself was a town of around 6000 souls in the Kavir-e-Lut, The Great Desert, 120 kilometres from Isfahan, the most beautiful city in We shouldn't be too surprised to see, that given its well-deserved Iran. For generations the people of Nain and the surrounding area reputation, copies of the Nain carpet abound, from within Iran itself were renowned for the quality of their handwoven fabric that was used to make traditional clothing and, most importantly, the aba cloak. Unfortunately, by the 1920's, the adoption of western clothing no finesse or subtlety whatsoever and, by comparison to the original, completely devastated this cottage industry and the lives of the they lack grace and charm. families involved. and even the Indian subcontinent. The colours of the copies are more-or-less correct and so too are the designs. However, they have The carpet illustrated is one of my favourite Nains from my collection. Remarkably, and in a very short time, showing a resilience that can scarcely be believed, these same weavers were producing hand knotted carpets and by the 1940's their Nains were regarded as the finest carpets in the country and therefore highly sought after. RICHARD POINTON Given its proximity to Isfahan, it was inevitable that the carpets from the Nain region would indicate a distinct "Isfahani" influence, particularly noticeable in the intricacy of the medallion and its surrounding floral adormment. However, the Nain weavers went one COLLECTION Oriental Carpets and Collectibles. Established 1987. Open 4 Days: Thursday & Friday 9.30am-4.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10.00am-4.30pm Showroom & Warehouse: 6 Armidale Street, Petone, Phone: 0800 rugsnz (0800 784 769) or 021 434 972 Website: richardpointon.co.nz i