Rug dyes

Unfortunately, about half a century ago huge quantities of rugs and carpets were woven in Persia for the European markets; weavers were asked to make use of the discovery of synthetic dyes, for quickness and cheapness, and these were freely used.

Certain colours especially, such as orange, red, green and light blue, were much too glaring to suit those of refined taste and resort to chemical treatment was made in order to subdue them, and produce the patina effect.

The acid used in the chemical treatment of the colours tended to rot the basic strands of the rugs, and many thousands have been ruined from this cause during the past forty-five years.

Naturally, great improve­ments have been made in the methods of handling the syn­thetic dyes, and today complete rotting of the strands seldom takes place, but even now this process tends to slightly weaken the materials, and rugs which have been chemically treated are not recommended.