The Natural World in Carpets and Rugs | Nomads Tent

The Nomads Tent in Edinburgh is regarded by some as one of Edinburgh's hidden gems with its fabulous collections of rugs, artefacts, jewellery and textiles.  This exhibition, The Natural World in Carpets and Rugs, brings together a variety of beautiful woven rugs, kilims and other textiles to demonstrate how the beauty and complexity of nature is central to the many traditional weaving cultures.

Weaving is a primary human craft, perhaps one of the oldest of all. It makes practical materials which keep people warm.  In the heartlands of often ancient weaving traditions, pattern and colour distinguish tribe from tribe, serving as tokens of power, tradition and style.  Weavers the world over delight in sharing and copying ideas from other cultures and often a common theme is the natural world.  More than any other source of inspiration, it is the flora and fauna of our little planet that has moved weavers for millennia.

Weaving is a traditional craft that is alive and kicking, especially hand knotted carpets and hand woven kilims, we will include both traditional and contemporary items.  Poems of the great Hafez and Nizami will be explored, especially the iconic mystical story The Conference of the Birds by Attar.  Their imagery suffuses Oriental weaving tradition, from the magnificent Paradise Carpets, grand palace carpets and humble but wild and charming tribal rugs.

For more information on Nomads Tent please visit - nomadstent.co.uk (opens new window)

A virtual tour of the exhibition will be added here in early September.