Until the late 1860's all dyes were plant based with a mineral mordant. During the 1860's chemical dyes were invented and these gradually became popular because of the ease of use and the cost. Many of the early chemical dyes were less than satisfactory as they faded and the colours often bled if they got wet. Also the colours were often more strident than the natural dyed colours that had been used for generations and which sat harmoniously togther. With time the chemical dyes improved and became more stable and were largely used to replace the natural dyes.

We stock new kelims, woven in the Shiraz region of Iran made with hand spun wool and natural dyes. Handspun yarn varies in thickness which means that the colour varies a little when it is dyed. This gives a variation and a liveliness to the colour when it is woven.