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Why Vintage Blue Rugs are Special?

Scandinavian Rollakans, Moroccan Beni Ourains or Chinese Deco rugs – all of these floor coverings come from entirely different parts of the world, incorporate various weaving techniques, and exhibit miscellaneous approach to aesthetics and form yet they have one thing in common – they are vintage rugs.

It means that their general shape was invented in the first half of the 20th century, although many of them have roots reaching back to antiquity. Out of the before mentioned carpets, and many other such as Indian Dhurries or Arts and Crafts rugs, the most vivacious emotions have always been evoked by vintage blue rugs. One might ask why blue and not any other color. The answer lies before you, just keep reading.

Secrets of Blue Dye in Vintage Blue Rugs

People have learnt to apply dyes to fabrics thousands of years before the modern era, yet not all colors from the visible spectrum were within their reach. The most hard to obtain and fascinating one has always been blue. Why? Notice how few things in the natural environment are actually blue – azure skies or sapphire eyes are merely an impression, there is no pigment in either of them. To dye a vintage blue rug one needs something more solid than an optical illusion. Nowadays we take blue things for granted but this tint has an exceptionally intriguing history and a lot of effort was put in the creation of the perfect blue dye for navy vintage rugs. Everybody instinctively loves blue color as it implies thoughtfulness, tranquility and power. It is also the coldest shade of all so it has been associated with everything divine – from kings to gods. How then our ancestors managed to get it?

The Two Blues

The finest natural blue dye – indigo – comes from India, and is derived from the plant known as “Indigofera tinctoria”. It is among the oldest dyes to be applied for printing and textiles, including dying of vintage blue rugs. Despite the fact it has been used inhabitants of India for millennia (it was even known to ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Peru, Egypt, Africa and Iran – a former Persian Empire), it only came to Europe in the middle ages to immediately evoke a lot of commotion. The medieval Europe had their own blue dye coming from a common plant named woad – the pigment was called “pastel” as it gave a shade similar to pastel blue rather than deep sapphire. Wore by the commoners, pastel blue textiles were scorned by the higher layers of society. It wasn’t until the 15th century that blue fabrics gained wide recognition among European nobility when the fabulous indigo dye came on ships from Asia through the new trade route opened by Vasco Da Gama.

vintage blue rug

Vintage Blue Rugs and Vintage Navy Rugs in Interiors

In the beginning of the 20th century, blue dyes were already extremely popular and widely accessible. Some vintage blue rugs incorporate synthetic colors, however, the profound, qualitative and refined tones may only be extracted from the natural indigo. A navy vintage rug is going to match a wide variety of contemporary interior arrangements. Its design is closer to state-of-the-art aesthetic standards than Persian oriental rugs, whereas the blue shade will wonderfully complement modern minimalistic décor by giving it depth and sublimity. A blue vintage rug in a room is like a sapphire in the crown – it constitutes a strong focal point with a royal feel to it. The cold color is not so appropriate for walls as it is for decorations, thus to add a this divine vibe to your interior, make sure to get yourself a genuine, indigo-dyed vintage blue rug.

vintage navy rug