Category: Rugs

WE are occasionally indebted to an Oriental scholar for a translation of an inscription on a rug ; often these inscriptions show the religious belief of the maker. One fine rug in a museum in Austria has the following inscription : “Allah! No God exists besides Him, the Living, the Eternal. Nothing causes Him to […]

ALL Oriental rugs have designs, and every design is symbolical. To the connoisseur, as well as to the owners of rugs, it is vastly interesting to understand the meaning attached to these symbols by the Orientals. Every one is familiar with the tree design in some of its various forms, and with the stiff little […]

The antique rugs of Ispahan (so called), are now known by most authorities as Herats. From investigations this seems to be a fact, at any rate, the rugs are magnificent, extremely rare and very valuable. The modern Ispahan rug is absolutely not in the same category with the older rugs. The texture of the former […]

THE materials used in the manufacture of rugs cover a wide range, and are indigenous to the place where the weavers are located. Sheep’s wool, camel’s hair, mohair from the Angora goat, hair from the yak and from the Thibetan goat, silk, cotton, linen, hemp, flax, and jute are all used. In the Spring the […]

When Paris Bordoni (1500-1571) painted the beautiful ceremonial picture in the Academy in Venice he used an Ouchak for the center of the steps. This is positive proof, if other be wanting, of the age of such a rug. Furthermore, Van Dyke painted such a carpet between the years 162o and 1625 when he lived […]

Kuba rugs are a development of the early Armenian rugs. They were woven in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The weaving is firm and fine, and the designs interesting. Arranged on a field which is generally of deep blue is seen the diamond design and also palmettes and small octagon and arabesque forms. Also small […]

LONG before other countries learned the art of cultivating silkworms, China was at work weaving fabrics of silk. Chinese historians claim that the origin of reeling silk and putting it to use was discovered by a woman, — Se-Ling-She, wife of Hwang-te, third Emperor of China, — and for that reason she has always been […]

Instead of adhering to original patterns several firms employing designers have added to the original motifs and sometimes in the border of a modern Chinese rug will be seen mixed motifs. Sometimes one part of a design will be taken from one border and part from another and these two will be so arranged as […]

IN the Orient a large and heavy rug is made of felt. This is used extensively by the natives, but is too heavy to export. Even the shepherds of the Kotan-Daria and of the Keriya-Daria use it in their primitive and isolated abodes. Sometimes an old felt rug is propped up by poles and becomes […]

Animal rugs are to be found in rather large numbers in the museums and private collections. Human figures seldom are depicted and the animal forms do not point to the chase. They were woven in Persia and also in India and are usually of silk with silver threads interwoven, but some are of wool. Perhaps […]