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Laura Bohne / Photo by G. Laurinaitis

LRT.lt

"I live and work surrounded by carpets created by people who follow millennia-old traditions. Each one tells a story, reflects culture and aesthetics, and embodies the value of handcrafted work," says Laura Bohne, the only certified Oriental rug expert in Lithuania.

– Recently, at your gallery "Lauros namai," an event gathered people exploring aesthetics and its impact on humans. Let me start with this – what does aesthetics mean to you?
– Aesthetics helps us navigate space. The more developed your aesthetic sense is, the more you know, the better you understand and appreciate the beauty and quality of objects. What we see and experience in an aesthetic environment helps us be more authentic people. When we see aesthetic objects, we feel better. Aesthetics for me is inseparable from another word that sounds very similar – etiquette. I think both shape us and make us human. I live and work surrounded by carpets made by people who follow millennia-old traditions. Each one tells a story, reflects culture and aesthetics, and embodies the value of craftsmanship. I strive to encourage others to appreciate the beauty and authenticity of their surroundings.

– You are a certified Oriental rug expert. What carpets fall within your area of expertise?

– Eastern carpets are a complex cultural phenomenon. The duality of carpets is inspired by two different mentalities of the viewers: Western pragmatism and Eastern philosophy. Both cultures simultaneously acknowledge the prosperity and functionality of carpets.
Eastern carpets form a broad category, including carpets from Persia, the North Caucasus, Egypt, North Africa, Turkey, Afghanistan, and other regions.
The Persian carpet tradition has very deep roots. It is even mentioned in the Iliad. Scholars agree that the first carpet in the world was a wool felt rug made in the Persian Gulf region, which then belonged to ancient Persia. While felt carpets were great thermal insulators, they were uncomfortable for nomadic tribes, so ways to improve them were sought.
Thus, flatwoven carpets were created, and later, carpets with pile were developed. These were long-lasting, easily transportable, and became an inseparable part of nomadic culture. Over the centuries, carpet making evolved into a complex craft that combined beauty, functionality, and symbolism.

– Symbolism is both a unique aesthetic experience and a treasure chest of knowledge about Eastern cultures, isn't it?

– The patterns in Persian carpets often have deep mythological and religious meanings. For example, the tree of life – one of the most important symbols – reflects Zoroastrian philosophy about the battle between good and evil. Fish, which protect the tree's roots, and other animals symbolize the protection of life and nature. Later, when religious prohibitions on depicting animals or people became more widespread, artists began creating symbols to hide the true meanings. Carpets became like puzzles, with each symbol carrying a double meaning.
Symbols in Eastern carpets have survived for thousands of years, and each one tells the story of a tribe, dynasty, or culture. Although today we may not always understand the meanings of these symbols, they still hold charm and value, especially when we talk about authentic, ancient carpets.
And a young woman who now ties carpets herself says: "I no longer know what these signs mean, but my grandmother wove them, and her grandmother did the same, so I do it too." Many patterns and symbols have transformed over time.
Persian carpets, unlike those from the North Caucasus, Anatolia, or North Africa, reached the highest level of artistic expression. They can be compared to classical music works, like Mozart's compositions, where nothing needs to be improved. Anatolian carpets, using the same music analogy, could be compared to rock, and Caucasian carpets – to blues.

– Another special aspect of carpets is their magnetic colors. Do they change over time?

– The most famous preserved carpet, housed in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, still has perfectly preserved red colors. The biggest change in carpet quality happened because of wool. Today's wool is of lower quality due to environmental pollution. When wool is dyed, it no longer has the same strength and shine as it did centuries ago.
Carpet fashion, like other trends, has its own tendencies. For example, in royal palaces, it was fashionable to use purple, which was very expensive because it had to be extracted from sea mollusks. This color is no longer used. Carpets were blue, purple, green – the most expensive pigments.
In Lithuania, carpets with blue hues have been highly valued for a long time.
Carpet color nuances are very diverse – this is one of the reasons why carpets remain valuable works of art, perfectly reflecting the traditions and uniqueness of the region. Today, when selecting carpets for galleries and collections, it is important to consider their history, originality, and artistic value.

– How do you select a carpet for your client or for a specific space? What questions do you need to answer to make the choice as accurate as possible?

– A properly selected carpet is more than just an interior detail. It harmonizes the space, reveals subtle shades, and creates a special atmosphere where every detail looks complete and perfectly coordinated.
An Eastern carpet easily finds its place both in the East and in the West, with unfamiliar motifs, colors, and designs that captivate. I always encourage homeowners to get involved in the carpet selection process.
Choosing an original handmade carpet is not a one-time experience. It’s a journey. The process of selecting the right size carpet, applying colors, and interpreting the symbolism – all of this is part of the initial journey.
Much more is discovered by the carpet's owner in the subsequent life with the object. The depth of colors at different times of the day, discovering details in the design and decoding them – these are continuous enriching experiences.

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