Handmade or hand-knotted rugs are the most desirable and are considered the best quality as they are carefully woven by expertly skilled artisans, and are made to be strong and withstand wear and tear. The Carpet Cellar deals mostly in handmade pieces.

Hand-tufted rugs are made partially by hand and partially using a tool to help punch strands of wool onto the canvas of a carpet. They are less time-consuming to make and do not require the same level of skill. We only do hand-tufted rugs on special orders for large projects.

The final type of rug is the machine-made rug, which is made using a power loom. We do not deal in machine-made rugs.

The Carpet Cellar stocks original pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some have been privately acquired from the royal families of India, while others are new rugs manufactured by us today.
For antiques see – Link to classics
For new carpets in wool and silk see - link to transitional

We recreate age-old carpet-making techniques. In keeping with that, we mostly use natural, vegetable dyes.

It is a misnomer that all traditional rugs are unreasonably expensive. If you are on a budget you can still buy a beautiful, good quality carpet. Consider selecting pieces that are newer, don’t forget to factor in raw material and labour costs. Silk yarn is more expensive than wool, and silk carpets also require more time and skill to weave because of the more intricate patterns.

For hand knotted rugs, the manufacturing time depends on carpet size and intricacy of design. A small 3’ x 5 ’ rug could take an artisan several months to make, while a medium-sized rug (5’ x 8’) could take an artisan or artisans a year to create. Some of the museum quality antique pieces, or the very intricate silk masterpieces can take years to complete.

Yes, The Carpet Cellar does customize carpets. Customizing a carpet is a labour and resource intensive process, it requires a great deal of time and a close level of collaboration at all stages. From design, to making a ‘naksha’ (carpet map), to dyeing the yarn and then weaving the rug itself, the process can take anywhere from six months to a year from commissioning.

The underlying principle behind traditional rugs is quality. Apart from their beauty, it is their durability that makes them highly sought after. Pets and children should not deter you from buying fine rugs. Hand-knotted carpets are made to withstand, they are crafted to endure high traffic and daily wear and tear. They are built to last for decades. Hand-knotted rugs are also easy to clean and maintain.

An authentic traditional rug is a hand-knotted carpet, it can come from any of the traditional carpet-producing countries of the world. This classification includes Persians, Indians, Kashmiris and a host of other styles.

Traditional rugs are different from all others because their pile (usually wool) is tied to their foundations. That is why they are referred to as hand-knotted rugs, it is also the main reason that they last so long, up to fifty to eighty years. This also accounts for their expense.

The majority of our carpets are manufactured using natural dyes (insect and vegetable) and natural fibres (wool, silk and cotton). If you are allergic to any of these components, then it may be avoidable. However, if you are sensitive to dust, regular vacuuming or brushing of carpets should keep allergies at bay.

The Carpet Cellar has restoration professionals on hand to evaluate and restore your piece. Please contact us here for a thorough evaluation.

Most items commonly found in a household or business such as tables, chairs and couches can be safely placed on carpets. Items should be periodically moved forward and back over the course of a year to prevent any uneven crushing of the carpet’s pile.
Plants should never be placed on top of the carpet, even with a water basin beneath the pot, any leakage can damage the carpet.

We provide certification of all our carpets. A certificate of authenticity will be provided to you that records the carpet genealogy, approximate age and relevant information on symbols and motifs.