Fig. 174
Another method of forming figure pile is to weave a plain pile, and when cut press or stamp a pattern on it with heated blocks cut to the pattern; the standing pile is then shorn off, and afterwards that which was pressed down is brushed up again, forming a full-pile figure on a shorn-pile ground.
CHAPTER X
CARPETS
The manufacture of carpets has been in existence since the days of the ancient Egyptians, who made rugs and carpets of various kinds and ornamented them with animals and various devices. The manufacture passed on to the East, and we find India, Turkey and Persia celebrated for the richness of their carpets in early times. The Moors of Spain introduced the Oriental floor coverings into Western Europe, and the Belgians and French took up the manufacture and produced excellent imitations of them. Even in the Middle Ages carpets were only used as a luxury by the rich. Queen Elizabeth had a carpet spread upon rushes, while Queen Mary had rushes only. These rushes were the Acorus Calamus (sweet reed of Norfolk), which were the usual floor coverings down to about this time.
Tapestry weaving was started in this country in the beginning of the seventeenth century, but the first we hear of carpet manufacturing in England was at Kidderminster about 1735, the carpets then made being, no doubt, the Kidderminster or Scotch carpet. The making of Brussels carpet was introduced about 1750; they were first made in this country at Wilton, near Salisbury.
The Axminster carpets take their name from being first made in the town of Axminster about 1755. They rivalled the work of the Eastern looms for beauty, durability, and colour; but owing to the cost of their manufacture, and the introduction of the cheaper Brussels and patent tapestry carpets, the demand became very small, and the work was removed to Wilton in 1835. The patent Axminster or chenille carpet was brought out by Messrs. Templeton, of Glasgow, in 1839.
In the early ages carpets or rugs were used for spreading on the floor or grass to lounge upon. It is recorded that in Babylon the guests of despotic sovereigns lounged on rich carpets, and walked over priceless works of textile art; also how figured carpets made of the finest wool were strewed under golden couches, and rugs richly embroidered with figures were spread over daïs, stool, and table.