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10 Facts About Zapotec Area Rugs

It's interesting that every Zapotec rugs is different from every other because they all have a unique design. These wool rugs are woven by the famous Zapotec Indians. Their rugs are now collector's items.

1. Authentic Zapotec weavings are adored because of their technical craftsmanship, rich colors, and one-of-a-kind look. These Indian rugs are ideal home decor accessories for rustic homes and cabins, southwest style homes, or anyplace where you need to bring color and rustic elegance.

2. They work wonderfully when used as traditional area rugs. They also make great rustic wall hangings and tapestries. Use them for wall coverings, wall art or to add color to your walls. They are quite similar to the Navajo rugs of North America. Zapotec rugs make it nearly impossible not to create great southwest or Native style in any room of your home.

3. Learning some of the history of Zapotec rug making helps you more fully appreciate them. Weaving them is an exhaustive and time consuming process. The Zapotec Indians are an ancient people. They didn't have any known stories or legends. They believed that they were born of the natural elements of their land, like the trees and rocks.

4. They were basically and agricultural center until the 1500's and the Spanish conquest. They received new concepts of weaving wool from the Spanish priests. They brought the loom design. The Spanish also brought the first sheep from Europe and taught the Zapotec how to weave it. The region of Teotitlan Del Valle in southern Mexico is a historical place. This is where the world-renown rug making originated and still continues today.

5. The vibrant colors and designs are the first thing you will notice about Zapotec weavings. Some rug weavers have started to use synthetic dyes. However, here are still a lot of weavers who prefer traditional and natural elements from the region to color their wool. Go by the workshop of an Oaxacan rug weaver during the week. You might see them stirring wool. They use large pots of rich colored dye, outside on an open fire.

6. Some of the elements used to dye the wool include moss, bark, plants, seeds, fruit and flowers. One of the natural dyes that they use is very interesting, it comes from an insect called the cochineal. After the drying of the insect is completed, it is crushed to make a fine red powder. This powder is used to make a rich scarlet colored dye.

7. Rug weaving often involves the whole family. Each member has a part in the creation of a beautiful rug. The wool first has to be cleaned and then washed. Next, it is dyed. Then, the next step is to spin it into yarn. All of this preparation work must be done before the weaving process can begin.

8. It is intriguing that every rug has a design all its own. Each is a unique masterpiece of the artist. The fact that no two rugs are the same is one of the reasons that make these rugs very popular.

9. Zapotec rugs are ideal for American Indian art collectors that like original or one-of-a-kind pieces. They are also ideal for anyone who who enjoys Indian arts and crafts or rustic style home decorating.

10. You have the option to use your Zapotec area rug, as a classic floor rug. You can also use it as a southwestern wall hanging or tapestry. You will certainly appreciate the unique beauty and craftsmanship of these Indian rugs. With so many styles and colors available to you to choose from, you will be able to find a rug that is just right for your decor.

You can almost always find Zapotec rugs and other southwestern style rugs in furniture stores that offer home decor. However, it is vary common to find a better deal online. Dress up your southwestern or rustic style home. Add a bit of color to the pallet of your home decorating. Share the unique beauty and high quality that is a part of Zapotec rugs.

By: Craig Chambers

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Craig Chambers is the founder of Mission Del Rey Southwest, offering unique southwest Zapotec rugs and money saving rustic decorating tips. Get his popular free ebook. www.southwesternrugstyle.com

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