This week we present to you an artifact often used in peasant homes until nowadays, namely the carpet. Along with mats, carpets and other large textile pieces, the carpets embellished the peasants’ houses, being exhibited or exchanged (with new ones) especially during the holidays. The term “covor” (carpet) was used later instead of “scoarță” (bark) and it refers to covering the walls and homes’ floor with different types of fabrics. The term “carpet” began to be commonly used in the rural environment in the second half of the 19th century and then it became more general during the 20th century. The carpets made in the peasant household were suitable in form and decoration for a more modest living space, the dimensions being adapted to each home.
The heritage piece comes from the town of Sălașul de Sus, Hunedoara county, and it entered the museum’s collection in 1923 following the first field research campaigns. The rug has a rectangular shape (Length: 192 cm, width: 142 cm) and it is made of two sheets sewn together with red wool keys. Having the warp made of hemp and wool, the carpet is woven at the peasant loom, in two shafts in the so-called “chilim” technique, with interwoven threads and chosen with cuts. The decoration consists of successive stripes called “vrâste” and friezes with geometric ornaments (rhombus in steps, triangles, zig-zags, X-cross) separated by simple stripes. The colors used are of industrial origin: indigo, lime, red, white, beige, orange.
Text: Dana Câmpean – MET museographer
Photo: George Ciupag – MET photo-video museographer