A rug produced in the traditional Nepalese method takes about three months from start to finish. Far from mass production, it's a labour of intense concentration, as each thread is hand-knotted in a specific order to reveal shape and colour formations.
Eighteen years ago, in Strasbourg, France, Nelcya Chamszadeh and Fabrizio Cantoni became enamoured with this process, designing rugs to be produced in the Boudha region of Nepal by Tibetan artisans. It was the beginning of cc-tapis, a company now recognised as a leader in collectors' rugs that are designed in collaboration with some of the world's most exciting creatives.
Under the art direction of Daniele Lora, and from the company's more recent base in Milan, cc-tapis this year launched new ranges designed by forward-thinking studios, all hand-knotted with Himalayan wool.
"We approach people we think have an interesting and innovative take on design," say the co-founders. "We take their ideas and apply them to our traditional and artisanal craftsmanship, as we push the boundaries of our artisans to realise these dreams."
Here are four stand-out rug designs sure to become collector's items:
ULTIMATE BLISS BY MAE ENGELGEER
Textile designer, Amsterdam
This is Engelgeer's latest addition to her Bliss series. "Ultimate Bliss is a more refined design with even more focus on the craft," she says, pointing to "hairy" parts in wool and silkthat make this version unique. Wool has always been one of the designer's favourite materials, and is used in most of her creations.
"It gives a natural feeling, tactility and the right touch," she says, adding that the silk offers a sense of elegance and luxury. "The wool is slightly thicker than the silk, giving depth to the rug landscape."..