Dye UsageI have this theory that clearly commercial Baluch rugs are like to have more colors and more use of commercial dyes. For instance in this rug there is relatively little blue since blue was not native to Khorasan and the weaver had to buy it to use it. The red is obviously Madder and was available locally so it is used more. Even if the dyer bought the red in town or had it dyed by a professional dyer local dyes are less expensive than Indigo that had to be imported from India. The white and brown were also colors available locally. Brown wool could have been used undyed but it was usually dyed and the dye used caused it to be brittle so the brown usually wears first. Brown wool dyed brown was the least expensive dyed wool available and was widely used. For Further Reading: Thanks and best wishes, J. Barry O'Connell Jr. |
