DISCORDANT ABRASH

DISCORDANT ABRASH

Most old carpets have slight variations or subtle changes of tone within certain colors.This is caused by the fact that one dyelot may yield more or less intense color than the next,or because the dye changes after many skeins of wool are emersed in the dyebath.Abrash may also result from the use of different mordans,or elements that help the dyecling to the wool,and variations in the structure of each skein of yarn.Occasionally,abrashed areas wear more quickly because inferior wool,or corrosive dyes,have been used in the rug.

Abrash is generally a good feature as long as it is harmonious and gradual.Bad abrash is a blatant,distracting,or disturbing color change and is a serious flaw.If the abrash is only found on the top end or half of the carpet,an imperfection usually results.

If a completely new,excessively obtrusive color is woven across a large section of the rug,the flaw may also be present.

Striking abrash is quite common in some of the new geometric rugs.More license may be given to creative imbalanced tonal variations within individual colors in these carpets.Abrash helps make most rugs unique and generally adds to collectibility.