Adaptation of Traditional Carpet Motifs to Modern Textiles

Abstract

Smooth surface carpets are the most typical for the hand woven carpets in Bulgaria. The nowadays production of traditional woven carpets faces several difficulties, however. Therefore the design of smaller, frequently used items, art works and souvenirs could be a key solution for preservation of the carpet. This study would like to draw the attention to Chiprovtsi carpets, as the tradition of carpet-weaving in this Bulgarian town was recently (2014) inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The preservation of the carpets motifs is of importance for the cultural heritage; and their larger dissemination can give them new, meaningful life in the modern times. The study presents basic motifs in the weaving of Chiprovtsi carpet, which are typical, and can be used for designing of new woven items. The motifs adaptation in textile items of today is shown. The design of an ethno bag with woven motifs from old carpets is demonstrated.

Keywords: carpet motifs, Bulgarian carpets, Chiprovtsi carpets