Duncan Ngcobo has developed a unique trade for himself. His 26 years’ experience in the carpet business has established him as a connoisseur.
“My father worked for the very well known Ronald Azizollahof at the Anglo Persian Carpet Company for 15 years,” says Duncan. “After he retired I worked there for 10 years learning the art of cleaning, repairing and selling carpets.”
Above: Duncan Ngcobo pictured with Louise Sinclaire.
Duncan, who left in 1996 to work for Rugs Original in La Lucia Mall for six years, now works for himself and is passing his skills on to his son and daughter.
La Lucia resident Louise Sinclair was so amazed by Duncan’s knowledge and professionalism that she introduced us to him.
Value
“We’d bought a Shekarlou from Zollanvari which desperately needed cleaning,” she said. “So I contacted Zollanvari in Cape Town, as their office in Durban had closed, and they recommended Duncan, who did a great job. He saw some of our other Persians which needed repairing, and I’m so glad that we did this as it helps to retain the value of the carpets.”
Local interior decorator Michelle Metior from M&M Designs in Flanders Mall also has no hesitation in recommending Duncan.
“He’s easy to get hold of when you need him and does a really good job. Even better, he works on your premises so you don’t have to lug heavy carpets around!”
Duncan hand cleans the carpets using a special shampoo. Laying them out on a flat surface, he scoops off foam from the soap and with gentle brushing removes all the dirt and grime.
“It’s important not to use too much liquid because this will damage the carpet as they’re made with vegetable dye,” he says. “It’s important to maintain Persians when the threads start splitting as you lose the pattern, and the value of the carpet also decreases.”
It’s obvious from the way he speaks that Duncan has a deep love for Persians.
Hand-made
“A hand-made carpet will always last longer,” he adds. “Mr Azizollahof used to say that you could lay a Persian on the highway and even after all the cars have driven over it, once you clean it, it will still be ok!”
Carpets are one of the most distinguished manifestations of Persian culture and art, and there is evidence of carpet weaving dating back to 500BC.
In 2008 Iran exported hand-woven carpets worth $240 million. That’s a giant 30% of the world’s market. The country also produces five million square metres of carpets a year, 80% of which are sold in international markets. In recent times this ancient tradition has come under stiff competition from cheaper machine-made reproductions of the original Iranian designs.
Wool is the most common material used in the making of carpets, but cotton is frequently used for the foundation of city and workshop carpets. A variety of wool is used, including Kork, Manchester and in some cases camel hair wool. Silk dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries but is less common as these carpets are more expensive and less durable.
The weaving of pile rugs is a difficult and tedious process, and depending on the size and quality of the rug, it can take from a few months to several years to complete. In areas using long established local designs the weaver often works from memory, with the patterns passed on within the family.
So next time you, the dogs and the kids go thoughtlessly stomping over that “old Persian” that granny gave you – remember, it too, needs a little TLC!
Duncan Carpets: 076 676 7916