Shyrdak Felt Rug

Shyrdak felt rugs are traditionally made in the Tien Shan Mountains in Kyrgryzstan, a mountainous country on the ancient east-west silk route. Its people historically lived nomadic lifestyles in which felt making and embroidery were important craft traditions. The rugs are made with two layers of contrasting felt that are cut with an identical pattern. The ''positive space'' of one color is used to fill the negative space of another, resulting in a colorful visual image of symbolic motifs.