Silk, bamboo silk and wool: what the words mean
A common source of confusion in rug buying, explained plainly, with what each fibre is good for.
Buying a rug in Jaipur: a visitor’s guide
How to shop for rugs in the city, what to ask in any showroom and how to ship one home.
Jaipur has been a rug town for centuries, and visitors often leave with one. A few things make the buying easier, wherever you shop.
Ask to see the back of the rug. On a hand-knotted rug, the pattern is clear on the back and the knots are visible. If the back is covered in cloth, the rug is tufted, which is fine, but the price should reflect it.
Ask for the knot count, the fibre and the size in writing. A good showroom will give all three without hesitation. Ask whether silk is real silk or bamboo silk, which is a form of viscose, and whether the dyes are natural or synthetic. Take your time. Rugs look different on the floor than on a pile, and different in daylight than under shop lights. Ask for the ones you like to be laid out flat, and walk around them.
If you are visiting us, our showroom is in Mansarovar, about 25 minutes from the old city. The looms are behind the showroom, and you are welcome to watch the weavers at work. We do not pay commission to drivers or guides, so the price is the same however you arrive. Rugs fold or roll into a bag that fits as checked luggage, or we can ship one insured to your home. Across India it takes five to eight days.
