British Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of  Pharaoh Tutankhamen who died around 1500 BCE. Among the now world famous treasures there were tunics made with needlepoint.

Carter was probably surprised that items in his house in England were made the same way.

Certainly Tut's 35-hundred-year-old tunic is a testament to needlepoint's durability.

Needlepoint work from King Tut's tomb

Image from Textile Research Center

Flash forward to the Nixon administration 1968-1973. Nixon and an entourage of business men went to China. China opened up after a 25 years behind the bamboo curtain.

Americans made deals with Chinese weavers to weave needlepoint rugs for sale in the US. Lots were made and sold.

Cheap Chinese labor made them a bargain. That era of abundance ended after 20 years when labor cost in China skyrocketed and  the rugs were priced out of the market.

Now Chinese needlepoint rugs are experiencing a comeback, especially those with floral motifs.

We have some great pieces in inventory and are excited to bring them out for designers to see.

Here are a few that are getting recent attention.

 

Undersea Mosaic

Under Sea Mosaic needlepoint wool rug.

Undersea Mosaic
8 x 10
Wool
1216C

 

Soleil

Soleil 8 x 10, wool needlepoint, hand-knotted rug.

Soleil
8 x 10
Wool
10-2088CG

 

Athene

Athene, hand-knotted needle point 8 x 10 wool rug

Athena
8 x 10
Wool
2404HR

 

Gradella

Gradella 9 x 12 wool needle point, hand-knotted rug.

Gradella
 9 x 12
 wool 
1201Y

 

Athene-Blue

Athene-blue, 9x12, wool, needlepoint, handknotted rug

Athene-Blue
9 x 12
Wool
2445CB