Travelling through the historical Silk Road and living through eras of change and progress, they’ve practically witnessed the evolution of mankind into the modern world. Even in literature, they are celebrated. Imbued with a divine dimension, folk tales such as Arabian Nights introduced the world to the magic flying carpet – a mythical marvel that would be remembered by generations to come.

Handmade rugs come in two basic styles: Flatweave rugs, the more casual and lightweight variety with zero pile, and pile rugs, which are more traditional, intricate and dense. The latter style includes such weaving techniques as hand-tufting and hand-knotting. A modern 20th century method that involves the manual operation of electric guns, hand-tufted carpets allow more room for experimentation such as the mixing of materials and the use of non-traditional finishes and effects. They don’t have to conform to usual carpet shapes either, giving craftsmen a great deal of creative freedom. The technique that produces carpets of the highest quality, however, is hand-knotting. Although it takes a much longer, and more intricate process of tying millions of individual knots on vertical looms to form a single rug, the result is a work of fine craftsmanship that lasts a lifetime.

With the advent of machinery during the Industrial Revolution, new looms and weaving techniques were introduced, and one of the earliest of which is the Wilton weaving method that uses Jacquard looms. Invented in the early 19th century, these are power looms that register wooden punch cards to create a weave. A timeless and groundbreaking apparatus, they are in fact still used today in some of the world’s most refined factories, including that of La Manufacture Cogolin.

An upscale rug-maker (now under the Hong Kong label House of Tai Ping), La Manufacture Cogolin originated in Southern France in 1924. Inside its intimate atelier in Cogolin, a group of 14 local craftswomen are busy at work, operating the original Jacquard handlooms from the 19th century to produce hand-woven and hand-knotted masterpieces. Utilising a Mediterranean-style weaving technique known as point de Bruxelles, the weavers create uniquely patterned and textured rugs of artistic beauty that have stood the test of time. On top of that, the dyes it uses, which comprise of 200 colours, are exclusive to the brand as well.

Video courtesy of Urban Fabric

La Maison Pierre Frey is another prominent luxury French brand with a similarly long-standing history of traditions. Established in 1935, it specialises in upholstery fabric, and emcompasses four highly lauded labels – namely, Pierre Frey, Braquenié, Boussac, and Fadini Borghi. One of its most popular offerings are its custom-made carpets and rugs that have made their way into the lavish interiors of the French presidential palace, as well as high-end hotels such as Ritz Paris.

A collective effort between a cluster of expert weavers, embroiderers, and designers, these hand-woven rugs feature eclectic patterns that run the gamut from abstract to avant garde, classic to contemporary, but are also connected throughout by a distinctive Parisian identity.

While La Manufacture Cogolin and La Maison Pierre Frey incorporate traditional influences into their carpet designs, Urban Fabric takes a wholly contemporary direction. The brainchild of Andrei Zerebecky and Lukasz Kos of Four O Nine, a design studio founded in 2011, Urban Fabric is known for its bespoke luxury rugs that are hand-tufted, hand-carved and hand-knotted by skilled weavers from the best mills. Inspired by the cartography of 18 major cities around the globe, the signature line of rugs boasts a minimalist silhouette in bold solid hues, with geometric 3D textures that mimic the geographical outline of each location. What’s more, New Zealand virgin wool and pure silk combine to give the pieces a plush, velvety finish.

Image courtesy of La Maison Pierre Frey, Braquenié 

For these top-tier design houses, the archives serve as an unending source of heritage and inspiration. La Maison Pierre Frey’s catalogue, for instance, boasts more than 25,000 documents (some dating back to the 16th century), including at least 1,000 gouache paintings, and 1,500 carpet samples. At the same time, collaborations with leading artists and designers open up new avenues to explore, with Cogolin embarking on projects with the likes of India Mahdavi and Christian “Bebe” Bertrand, and Urban Fabric with Magne Furuholmen and Elena Manfredini.

A high-end rug or carpet tends to be seen in the same way as a painting highlighting and enriching the design of a space, and is often a centerpiece in some of the most exclusive rooms. A lot goes into the making of one, with long traditions in weaving styles and artistry, including generations of mostly female artisans working behind the scenes. Indispensable to the world of luxury, it is truly a complex craft that deserves a pedestal of its own.