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Silk, an animal fiber made from the cocoons of silkworms, is an extremely
costly and luxurious material for textile and rug production. Silk
cultivation began in ancient China where it was a jealously guarded secret.
Eventually its use spread to Persia and then to Byzantium and Europe. The
expense notwithstanding, silk pile rugs, even those with silk foundations as
well, are not uncommon, although they tend to be high quality pieces in the
tradition of court art.
Extremely luxurious nomadic weavings will also have
some of the pile made in silk. The attraction of silk resides in the
fineness of its fibers which are remarkably soft, as well as
in it's luminous, reflective quality. Because of this the effect of color on
silk is far more intense and brilliant than the effect
of the same dye on even the finest wool. Silk, however, is much more
delicate and less durable than wool. Consequently, many less silk rugs are
well preserved. This rarity, as well as the basic cost, places antique silk
pieces among the most expensive rugs.
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