Enhancing Indoor Décor With Dhurrie Rugs
Dhurrie rugs are thick, flat-woven floor coverings traditionally used in India. Depending on the material, pattern, and size, these hand woven floor coverings serve different purposes. Square, rectangular, or round shapes are very popular but other shapes are also available. Some feature bold designs, while others are more traditional, making these floor coverings suitable for different styles of homes. Dhurries are becoming popular alternatives to braided rugs.
Different Sizes and Purposes of Dhurrie Rugs
Dhurrie rugs come in a variety of sizes, each of which was traditionally designed for a specific use.
Small 12×12-inch versions are used as table coverings, protecting these surfaces from a vase, collectible, or other item placed on top of them. Dhurries measuring 24×24 inches were traditionally used for meditation and are referred to as Aasans. Large hand woven rugs up to 20 x 20 feet continue to be used at Indian social or political gatherings. In some states within India, a Dhurrie is presented as part of the dowry by parents when their daughter gets married.
Their lightweight nature and foldable feature makes even the largest of these floor coverings easily portable. Cotton or wool material is cool during summer and warm in winter, making them appropriate for year-round use. Some people change patterns or colors to correspond with the seasons, holidays, or specific events. The hand woven material is not a target for carpet-destroying insects, such as silverfish, and maintenance costs are low. Because of their affordability and durability, more and more people are using them as their kitchen rugs.
Material and Manufacturing of Dhurrie Area Rugs
Dhurrie area rugs feature one or more of the following materials: silk, jute, wool, and cotton. Each material is converted to thread and then woven by a skilled artisan using a vertical or horizontal loom. Pit looms are used in some areas of India, which require weavers to sit in a pit and use their feet to weave a rug with a maximum width of 24 inches. Dhurries made in Madhya Pradesh feature brilliant colors and are very sturdy. Those created in other parts of the country have distinctive characteristics.
Panja Dhurries are widely exported. Khairabad, located in Uttar Pradesh, is considered a major Dhurrie making area. The Sitapur Dhurries made there sometimes include chenille and rayon thread and are exported worldwide. Some of the most popular brick-and-mortar and online retailers in the world sell these to the public at prices ranging from reasonable to extremely expensive.
Characteristics of Dhurrie Rugs
Most Dhurrie rugs feature an assortment of color combinations and pastels are the most popular hues. These floor coverings feature geometric shapes, with people, flowers, and animals woven into them. The appearance of these figures usually has a chiseled quality. These floor coverings match most decors due to the different colors and designs available.
Depending on the quality and size, Dhurries sell for about $150 to $1,000. Thomas Paul makes the Swallows Corn Cream flat weave Dhurrie in three sizes at prices starting under $175. The wool Safavieh Dhurrie Rugs collection includes rectangular and round shapes featuring contemporary designs in olive, chocolate, black, or light blue and ivory.