Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

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 […]

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 […]

THE United States is largely occupied in rug-weaving, and the centre of the Eastern section of this manufacture is Philadelphia. But in various sections of the country there are rug factories, both large and small. The Abenakee rug is made at Pequaket, New Hampshire. It is the result of a desire on the part of […]

THE art of rug-weaving was first introduced into the West by the Moors when they conquered Spain. With the advance of civilization it proceeded to the land of the Gauls, where during the reign of Henry the Fourth it was brought from Persia. An inventor named Dupont was placed in charge of a workroom by […]

IN England the introduction of tapestries as hangings for walls was made by Eleanora, sister of Alfonso the Tenth of Castile, when she became the wife of Edward the First. In her journeyings these fabrics of the loom were carried as part of the royal baggage, and must have given some sense of cheer, particularly […]

BOSNIAN rugs in olden times were sometimes very fine. Then came years of general depression, when the industry of weaving fell into decay. Finally the Austro-Hungarian administration was established at Bosnia, and new life was given to the work. Looms were erected by the Government, and a number of women were sent to Vienna, where […]

THE Arab conquerors of Spain, or the Moors as they are often called, are believed to have taught the Spaniards and Venetians the art of rug-weaving. The rugs now known as Moorish are made by the descendants of this race. Their leading color is yellow, and in style and quality they resemble the so-called Smyrna […]

GREEK rugs are almost as ancient as Greece herself. Many an old love-song of this land has praised the skill of the woman deftly plying the hand loom. But if one expects to see the glory of ancient Greece, in its perfection of form and design, transmitted in any degree to the industry of modern […]

The hunting rugs of Persia are the most remarkable and interesting rugs known. They had their origin in the Chinese pictures of hunting scenes, from which the designs were copied. The most sumptuous example of this type of rug now in existence is in the possession of the Austrian Government. Mounted hunters in Persian dress […]

RUG-WEAVING in the Orient is an industry that, until recent years, has been carried on almost exclusively by women and girls. From childhood to womanhood, and on to old age, these weavers are at work. Girls of six years of age help their mothers, until they become experienced by long practice. Even ladies of rank […]