eginning with animal hides and woven weeds, rugs have been used since the early days of mankind. Various types of flat weaving were well developed more than 4,000 years ago, based on evidence of fragments that were found in Mesopotamian and Egyptian tombs. There’s evidence suggesting that the weaving of pile rugs was present in the Middle East and parts of Asia well before 2000 BC. Rugs were first created in quantity by the nomadic wanderers of Asia, who most likely developed the craft of weaving the wool of their sheep into rugs and blankets as a replacement for the use of the rough animal hide. The oldest known surviving rug was found at a burial site in Siberia in 1949. The “Pazyrvk” carpet, as it has become known, dates back to the 5th century BC and is remarkable for its rich colors, striking details, and use of a hand-knotted technique (Turkish/Ghiordes knot) that is still in popular use. The rug had an average of 200 knots per square inch and is regarded as an outstanding work of Scythian art that most likely was woven by people who came from Mongolia. Even if the Mongolians first wove pile rugs, it is generally agreed that the Persian took the craft and made it into a true form of art. A rug belonging to the King of Persia dating back to about 550 BC was the oldest known rug prior to the discovery of the Pazyryk carpet. It was hand60
ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING
knotted out of wool, silk, gold, silver and precious stones, measured 400 feet by 100 feet in size and weighed several tons. It was after 1,000 AD when the art of pile rug weaving started in Europe, most likely in Spain. Most of Europe, Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries were making their own rugs by the mid 18th to 19th century. Handmade rugs from these areas are rare today, however, because they can’t compete with the high quality and low cost of labor for Oriental rugs. Recently we’ve seen some stunning rugs from St. Simons Island interior designer Dee Simmons, who is spreading her wings, so to speak, and launching new lines as part of her Delinah Simmons brand in 2017. New innovations will include a Rug Collection with both custom creations and a carefully curated collection of vintage and handmade rugs, a summer pop-up shop on St. Simons Island featuring unique finds, and the development of lighting and furniture lines. Since Dee launched Dee Simmons Interiors in 2012, after several years working for well-known residential and hospitality interior design firms in Atlanta and St. Simons Island, she has established herself as a respected innovator in the industry. Extensive travels in both the professional arena and her personal adventures are a major inspiration (continues)
