Tianjin carpets

Tianjin carpets

　　A famous specialty handicraft of Tianjin. With a history of over 300 years, its products are exported to many countries and regions abroad. The carpets are exquisitely crafted, featuring beautiful patterns, lustrous colors, and a strong ethnic artistic style. Tianjin carpet artisans pioneered unique techniques such as shear carving and chemical washing, giving the carpets a “satin-like sheen after washing and cloud-like texture after cutting,” with patterns raised above the carpet surface, resembling bas-relief, which further enhances their artistic effect. Varieties include tufted, rubber-backed, jacquard, synthetic fiber, natural color, bunching, and other types of carpets, as well as high-end artistic tapestries. Since the early 20th century, they have repeatedly won top awards or honors in both domestic and international competitions. Today, some carpet factories in Tianjin are open for visitation and shopping by both domestic and international tourists.

　　Craftsmanship: The carpets are made from high-quality wool as the raw material, undergoing processes such as carding, spinning, dyeing, pattern drawing, weaving, leveling, washing, shear carving, and finishing. Among these, weaving and shear carving are the key processes that influence the style and quality of the finished product.

　　Features: The designs are rich and varied, with over a thousand styles, each with a distinctive character. The products feature smooth lines, clear textures, a mix of flat and raised patterns, reasonable weaving density, moderate thickness, upright and elastic pile, harmonious color schemes, and durable dyes.

　　Awards: The products won a gold medal at the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in the United States; a gold medal at the 1965 Leipzig International Fair; tufted carpets received the National Quality Product Gold Award and the Golden Cup Award of the China Arts and Crafts Hundred Flowers Awards in 1979, 1981, and 1983; rubber-backed carpets were awarded the Silver Cup Prize of the China Arts and Crafts Hundred Flowers Awards in 1981 and 1985.