Persian Rugs

The finest rugs in the world are woven in Persia. Rug weaving in Persia is especially fostered by national pride and strongly encouraged by the rulers of that country. Great care is taken to keep the rugs woven here from deteriorating in excellence, and the use of aniline dyes is absolutely prohibited for this reason. Persian rugs are characterized by soft, exquisite coloring and a floral design.

Various Types Of Persian Rugs

The most interesting of the Persian rugs are the Kirman. The hues of these rugs are very delicate and the plant, flower, and bird form designs are treated less geometrically and more naturalisti-cally than those of any other oriental rugs. They are unusually soft and silky and have a beautiful sheen. Saraband rugs are woven in the mountains of western Persia and derive their designs from the pine trees found there. Rows of small pine cones usually fill the central field, the stems of the cones pointing alternate ways. The colors are red, blue, and ivory. Quaint medallion effects are found in Saruk and Tabriz rugs. These rugs are delicate in coloring, and of admirable weave, and are among the most popular of the many types of Persian rugs.

The Charm Of The Antique

There are many other types of the four classes of oriental rugs, each reflecting the thought and customs of some period in the history of the country from which they come. Commercialism has cheapened the design and color in many instances, but the charm of a human quality still remains and no manufactured rug can ever supply that personal element. The antique oriental rugs were the result of years of patient effort. The thoughts, emotions, history, and legends of the regions from which they come, are faithfully recorded in the rugs. The most beautiful rug was, to the girl of the Orient, what the painstaking sampler was to the child of our grandparents' day. No work was too fine, no effort was too great, for the rug, when at last completed, was to last a generation and more, cherished as a household treasure.

The Modern Oriental

The modern rugs are made for commerce rather than for home use in their native land, but still, a feeling of loyalty to, and reverence for, the craft of their ancestors inspires the workmen and workwomen of to-day with an affectionate enthusiasm which must inevitably show in their finished products. Though the stitches are hurried and often not nearly so fine, the same ancient symbols are used in the designs, and many quaint legends may be traced through the mesh of the intricate patterns.

Classification Of Oriental Rugs

Persian

Yuruk.

Herez; Bakshich, Gorevan, Serapi.

Laristan.

Kirman.

Koultuk.

Saruk.

Ispahan.

Sultanabad; Savalans, Muskabad.

Mahal Khorassan.

Niris.

Kurdish.

Karadagh.

Senna.

Kashan.

Souj-Boulak.

Kurdistan.

Bijar.

Jooshaghan.

Feraghan; Antique.

Meshed; Meshed Ispahan (good) Herat; Ayin (cheap grade) Hamadan; Oustrinan, Karaguez Saraband; Selville (poor).

Shiraz Kirmanshah Tabriz Mosul.

Turkoman

Beshire.

Samarkand.

Bokhara.

Afghan.

Baluchistan.

Yomund.

Caucasian

Soumack.

Daghestan.

Leshgian.

Chichi.

Shirvan.

Kazak.

Genghis.

Derberid.

Karabagh.

Kabistan.

Turkish

Bergamo Kulah; Modern Oushak; Yaprak, Kirman Demirdji; Enile, Gulistan Ghiordes; Modern, Hammadieh Cassaba; Sparta Kulah; Antique Ghiordes; Antique Ladik; Antique.

Kaba-Karaman Konieh; Modern Meles or Cardian Akhissar Makri Anatolian Caesarian Kirshebn.

References

Dunn, Eliza Rugs in Their Native Land. Dodd, Mead & Company, New York, 1910. History, Chapter I (Walls And Ceilings). Doctored Rugs, Chapter IV (Domestic Rugs And Carpets).

Holt, Rosa Belle Rugs, Oriental and Occidental, Antique and Modern. A. C. McClurg & Co., 1908. Chinese, Chapter IV (Domestic Rugs And Carpets). Symbols, Chapter VI (A Brief History Of Furniture). Mumford, John Kimberly Oriental Rugs. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1901. Caucasian, Chapter IX (Furniture Woods). Turkish, Chapter X (The Fireplace In The Home). Persian, Chapter XL Turkoman, Chapter XII. Ripley, Mary Churchill The Oriental Rug Book. Frederick A. Stokes Co., New York. Materials, Chapter V (Oriental Rugs).