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This quality wilton was woven under the strict supervision of the M. J. Whittall mills of Worcester, Massachusetts. It is one of their finer earlier 20th century renditions of an early rare eastern-orient pattern depicting what is historically referred to as a "Samarkand" pattern. Often mistaken as a "South Western United States/Mexican" motif, the pattern originates from an ancient period of the Southern most area of central Russia, north of what is now India, not too far from the Chinese border.
The wilton is made of superior worstered wool on a cotton foundation. The rug originates from the aesthetic movement - which is evident in the embellishment of the beautiful and exquisitly colourful borders drafted in the earliest known version of this pattern. Later, toward the art deco movement, this pattern would be modified and the borders made with a greek key design. As shown in the Whittall 1922 Catalog...
They enjoyed most of their success from that time until the great depression and again for the decade following World War I. The mill and the quality of their goods stood the test of time and remained in business until the late 1950s. Many of their wonderful rugs remain in good condition today, after 75 to 100 years of use, a true testament to the pride and quality of the guilded age of the industrial revolution. Several museums and private collectors surfaced in the early 1900s with prized examples of this early woven art and a few select mills were allowed the honor of reproducing 15th through 18th century patterns in the time honored jacquard weaving of the wilton rugs. This piece is but one of the fine examples of the recovered treasures painstakingly recreated by the artisans working at these American and European mills. The historically accurate character and its exceptional quality lend this piece to be comfortable with fine furnishings of many different eras. Many of these wilton rugs were guaranteed for atleast 15 years when they were sold new from the Mills. The continued lasting and wonderful condition of these pieces is a testament to the discriminating and fastidious workmanship of the Wilton weavers. The fine worstered wool will still gaurentee many years of use by a caring owner. The fantastic design is indeed very desirable to the connoisseur, collector and to the home owner with a taste for the finer historical rugs and antiquities.
CONDITION: The rug has a good consistent pile over the entire rug, though the borders are slightly taller in pile height than the field. The original fringe was missing -- it is in the process of being replaced with a genuine double knotted cotton wilton historically accurate reproduction fringe -- please see pictures below. CLEANING: This rug has been professionally hand cleaned by our own conservation team with a restorative thorough washing adhering to National Institute of Textiles and AIC
We do not use ANY optical enhancers of any kind (natural or chemical). Optical enhancers damage and pull dye to the surface of the rug's fibres, slowly stripping colour and character from the wool as the rug continues to age. Beware of descriptions claiming use of such materials and harsh cleaning methods to "brighten, add a sheen, or antique wash" the rugs -- all these methods deteriorate and damage these wonderful vintage and antique pieces beyond repair.
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(American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works) guidelines. The protein and lanolin based soap conditions the natural fibres in the rug and returns the original lustrous character and richness of colour to the wool. No steam extraction methods or chemical detergents were used during the cleaning process. Ever step possible was taken to preserve the historic nature and conserve the rugs condition.