Pit-loom dhurries belong to a centuries-old Indian textile vocabulary that produced the floor coverings of palaces and the bedding of farmhouses with equal authority. The flatweave structure is the form's signature. The flatweave structure is the oldest rug form, predating knotted pile by several centuries in the archaeological record. There is no pile to crush, no knot to untie. Wear distributes evenly across the surface, which is why nineteenth-century kilims and dhurries in private collections still see daily use after a hundred years.

Hand-woven in India over 3 weeks on a horizontal flatweave loom. The structure is weft-faced, which means the neutral pattern is built up row by row from coloured weft passing over and under a hidden warp. There is no pile and no knotting. The drawing belongs entirely to the weave.

The composition

The neutral pattern is built up row by row from coloured weft. There is no pile to crush, no knot to wear, only the weave itself. The flat profile means both faces are usable, although the front carries the cleaner finish. The weave is dense enough to hold its shape under furniture. The flat profile makes the rug easy to roll, store, and move between rooms or seasons. The structure is forgiving of rearrangement.

The piece in a room

4' × 6' (122 × 183 cm) works under a child's bedroom, a study, or a corner library. The flat profile slides under low furniture without bunching. The drawing pairs cleanly with mid-tone walls in clay, putty, or oat. Architecture in stone or wood lets the rug carry the colour. A thin felted underlay keeps the flatweave from slipping on a polished floor and protects the underside from grit. The rug can be lifted and aired in dry weather without specialist handling.

Care

Vacuum weekly with suction only, never a beater bar, which can pull the weft. Blot spills with a clean cotton cloth. A flatweave can be lifted and shaken out of doors, which is part of the reason it has survived as a household textile for centuries. Professional clean every three to four years. Stored flat or rolled rather than folded, the rug holds shape indefinitely.

Reference

• Medium: hand-woven jute, flatweave
• Dimensions: 4' × 6' (122 × 183 cm)
• Construction: weft-faced flatweave
• Hands: 1 weaver, ~3 weeks
• Origin: India

Free shipping nationwide. 14-day returns. Each piece is rolled and cloth-bound before despatch.