| Antique oriental rugs often display a | | | | valuable fuel to heat the water that was used |
| characteristic that one never finds on rugs | | | | to dye the wool for the rugs. They reasoned |
| made after the invention of synthetic dyes. | | | | that the absorption or the madder dyes must |
| Antique oriental rugs frequently have abrash. | | | | have taken place over an extended period of |
| Abrash is the name given to the hue or color | | | | time, and at temperatures about equal to |
| change that can be observed when viewing | | | | those used for making yogurt. The reasoning |
| older rugs from multiple angles. Abrash | | | | of Haldane and Rubio showed an excellent |
| results from either inconsistent dyeing or | | | | understanding of the mind-set of the ancient |
| the introduction of new wool before a given | | | | rug makers. They did not do things in a |
| rug has been completed. | | | | hurry. |
| | | | |
| Scholars who study antique oriental rugs have | | | | The information gleaned from those studies |
| long puzzled over how the ancient rug makers | | | | underlines the simplicity of the process used |
| gave their products such deep, rich colors. | | | | to dye the wool for the antique oriental |
| Recently, two such scholars, Jack Haldane and | | | | rugs. The wool would probably soak for up to |
| Nest Rubio, have attempted to replicate the | | | | 30 days in a mixture that resembled a water |
| ancient dyeing process they envisage it. | | | | solution with 25% Alum. Then it would soak |
| These studies have focused on the ability of | | | | for 3 to 7 days in a mixture that was one |
| yarn to absorb the red color from the natural | | | | part water and one part madder root. What |
| madder root. | | | | resulted from all that soaking were antique |
| | | | oriental rugs with lovely pinks, vivid reds |
| Haldane and Rubio reasoned that the makers of | | | | and striking deep Burgundies. |
| antique oriental rugs did not want to waste | | | | |