The Practical Book of Oriental Rugs

Border.—From three to five border stripes, usually three, one wide one between two narrow ones. The wide stripe is commonly of yellow, wine red, and green, especially in those made in the 16th century. The Herati design was frequently employed.

Prevailing Colors.—Deep reds, blues, and greens. Beautiful crimson. Deep wine colors known as Ispahan red. Field generally of deep red or blue.

Dyes.—The best.

Designs.—Very artistic. Rich in floral and animal decoration of the finest Persian type. Large palmette and rich floral patterns connected by vines and serrated leaves arranged similarly to the Herati pattern. Cypress cones and various tree forms. The Shah Abbas design was freely employed.

Sizes.—Generally long and narrow (runners). Seldom small.

Prices.—The antiques bring fabulous prices. Fragments have sold in recent years for $300 to $1000, and many carpets have brought from $15,000 to $25,000.

Remarks.—Extremely rare. Almost impossible to secure a genuine specimen. The Saruks are the Ispahans of the present day. The antiques are examples of the most perfect weaving skill. Many of the so-called Ispahans of the 16th and 17th centuries were really productions of Herat.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

In this choice old piece of the sixteenth century the Shah Abbas design, one of the most beautiful of all ancient designs, is used freely in the field and in the main border stripe. The fir tree and the cloud band are also freely employed in the field, the latter showing the Mongolian influence which was quite prominent in many of the fifteenth and sixteenth century pieces.

JOSHAGHAN

Synonyms.—Djoshaghan, Djushaghan, Youraghan.

Why So Named.—After the Persian village and the district of Joshaghan, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twenty; number horizontally eight to twenty: number to square inch sixty-four to four hundred.

Warp.—Wool.

Woof.—Wool.

Nap.—Fine wool of medium length.

Sides.—Overcast.

Ends.—A thin narrow web with loose warp threads at each end.

Border.—Usually three border stripes, one wide with a narrow one on either side. The wider stripe generally has for the ground color a lighter tone of the same color which predominates in the field.

Prevailing Colors.—Soft-toned colors similar to those of the Hamadan. Ground is usually red.

Dyes.—Splendid in the antiques.

Designs.—Generally a sort of scroll carried throughout the margin of the field and forming medallions. A common design is a series of crosses with angular ends and adorned with floral figures; also the eight-pointed star between every four crosses arranged into a lattice. There are usually many four-and six-petaled roses.

Sizes.—Usually large, seven to nine by ten to fourteen.

Prices.—$2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Antiques excellent. Among the best Persian carpets. They resemble somewhat the Saraband. Not very common in the United States.

SARABAND

Synonyms.—Serebend, Sarawan. The finest ones are sometimes called Mir Saraband and the coarsest ones are frequently called Selvile.

Why So Named.—A corruption of the word Sarawan, which is the name of a mountainous district south of Feraghan, where they are made.

Knot.—Antiques are always tied with the Senna knot. Some of the modern ones are tied with the Ghiordes knot. Number vertically seven to fourteen; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch fifty-six to one hundred eighty-eight.

Warp.—Always cotton.

Woof.—Always cotton, sometimes dyed. All good Mir Sarabands have a blue woof thread.

Nap.—Usually even, short cut, silky wool.

Sides.—Overcast, usually with a dark red wool.

Ends.—One end usually has a narrow web and short fringe of loose warp threads, while the other is generally a narrow web which is frequently turned over and hemmed. Frequently several strands of colored wool run through the web, as in the Kurdish productions.

Border.—Usually from four to twelve border stripes, the principal one of which is from three to four inches wide with an ivory white background and a vine design running through it, at each turn of which is a leaf similar in shape to that in the Herati pattern. The vine design is nearly always present and characterizes the Saraband border from all others. The smaller border stripes are generally filled by various well-known designs, such as the reciprocal trefoil, the barber-pole stripe, the Greek meander, etc.

Prevailing Colors.—The field is generally of a dark blue or a rich red. In antiques it is often of a pink or rose shade. The main border stripe is frequently of old ivory or red, while the other border stripes vary, most of them as a rule being the same color as that which predominates in the field.

Dyes.—As a rule are excellent. In the modern products some of these colors are liable to be aniline, especially the greens.

Designs.—The field is almost invariably covered with the pear design arranged in rows, the stems of each successive row running in the opposite direction. This is nearly always the case and with the exception of the Shiraz it seems to distinguish the field from that of other rugs such as the Khorasan products, where the same design is frequently used but where the stems usually run in the same direction. The Mir Saraband sometimes has a Herati centre.

Sizes.—Three to five by four to nine, three to nine by twelve to twenty-four.

Prices.—$2.00 to $6.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Sarabands are usually firm in texture, lie well, never grow monotonous, and, on the whole, are most satisfactory.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

This piece beautifully illustrates the most common Saraband designs. The field is covered with rows of the pear motif upon a background of rich dark red. The main border stripe carries the characteristic Saraband border design upon a background of old ivory. The woof is dyed light blue, which shows in the webbing at each end.

SARUK

Synonyms.—Sarouk, Sarook.

Why So Named.—After Saruk, a small village in the Feraghan district, from whence they come.

Knot.—Always the Senna and usually as many to the square inch as any rug excepting the Senna. Number vertically eight to twenty-two; number horizontally six to twenty; number to square inch forty-eight to four hundred forty.

Warp.—As a rule cotton, occasionally linen.

Woof.—As a rule cotton, occasionally linen.

Nap.—Fine silky wool cut short.

Weave.—Close and hard.

Sides.—Overcast with dark wool or silk. They frequently curl on account of the tightness of the weave.

Ends.—Narrow web and loose warp threads at each end.

Border.—Three to five border stripes, usually three. Generally the Herati border, occasionally the modern form of the Shah Abbas border design.

Prevailing Colors.—Usually dark seal browns, greens, and reds. Generally a field of ivory, blue or red.

Dyes.—Generally good except in some of the modern pieces.

Designs.—There is always a medallion. Flowers freely introduced. Often queer-shaped floral figures.

Sizes.—Three to five by five to twenty feet. Usually oblong.

Prices.—$2.50 to $6.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Sometimes called the "Modern Ispahan."

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

Two plates in color of Saruks are given—at pages 40 and 166, with description accompanying each.

SULTANABAD

Synonyms.—Classed as Muskabad, Mahal and Savalan, according to grade.

Why So Named.—Muskabad is named after the village by that name and Savalan after a range of mountains in the northern part of the Sultanabad district, while Mahal is but a trade name.

Where Made.—In the Sultanabad district, which is the centre of rug weaving under European control.

Knot.—Generally the Ghiordes, sometimes the Senna. Number vertically five to eight; number horizontally six to fourteen; number to square inch thirty to one hundred twelve.

Warp.—Cotton.

Woof.—Cotton.

Nap.—Good quality of wool, usually of medium length.

Sides.—Overcast.

Ends.—Short web and loose warp threads of medium length.

Border.—Usually three border stripes, one wide one with a narrow one on either side. The Herati border design is the most frequent.

Prevailing Colors.—Bright reds, browns, blues, pinks, and greens with white.

Dyes.—A large percentage are aniline dyed.

Designs.—Usually large scrolls and floral patterns. The Herati design is quite common.

Sizes.—Carpet sizes only, eight to fifteen by ten to twenty.

Prices.—From $1.00 to $3.00 a square foot.

Remarks.—Those with good dyes are quite satisfactory, but at the present time most of the products of Sultanabad are purely commercial products.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

This piece most beautifully shows in its field the Guli Henna design, which is so commonly employed in the Sultanabad products.

NIRIS

Synonyms.—Laristan, Luristan.

Why So Named.—After the salt lake Niris in the province of Laristan, where they are made by the hillmen who inhabit the uplands of that section.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally five to eight; number to the square inch forty to ninety-six.

Warp.—Best stout wool.

Woof.—Best stout wool.

Nap.—Best wool of short or medium length.

Weave.—Not so closely woven as the best Shiraz, which they very much resemble.

Sides.—Overcast.

Ends.—A checked selvage at each end with a short fringe of warp, like the Shiraz.

Border.—Generally from three to five border stripes, some of which are quite elaborate. The barber-pole stripe is commonly used, but generally consists of several colors instead of only two as in the Caucasian fabrics.

Prevailing Colors.—Usually rather crude. Madder red predominates.

Dyes.—As a rule good.

Designs.—The pear pattern is commonly employed and when used it suggests the crown jewel, being an assemblage of points rather than of lines and more minutely worked out than are the smaller forms so common to the Saraband. No regularity of design, but quite similar to the Shiraz. Often a pronounced striped effect. Alternating rows of geometrical and floral designs.

Prices.—From $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Strong and durable. Few reach America. They seem more like products of Turkestan than of Southern Persia.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

This particular design consisting of rows of pears with stems of alternate rows turned in the opposite direction is quite common in rugs of this class. The main border stripe in this piece also consists of the pear motif on each side of which is a barber-pole stripe.

SHIRAZ

Synonym.—Mecca, so called because they were so frequently taken by the shriners to the holy city of Mecca.

Why So Named.—After the city of Shiraz, where they are made.

Knot.—Generally the Senna, sometimes the Ghiordes. Number vertically seven to sixteen; number horizontally six to twelve; number to square inch forty-two to one hundred ninety-six.

Warp.—Generally heavy wool, sometimes goats' hair in the moderns, and frequently more than two woof threads between each row of knots.

Woof.—Always wool, frequently dyed.

Nap.—Lustrous, soft, short wool.

Weave.—Rather loosely woven as a rule.

Sides.—Overcast or braided with wool of two or more colors. Little tassels of wool frequently project from the overcasting on the sides.

Ends.—Web of medium width at each end which is often dyed red, white, and blue, or a plain red selvage with rows of colored yarns running through it.

Border.—From two to seven border stripes, some of which frequently carry a vine to which are attached oval-shaped flowers in alternate red and blue. The barber-pole stripe is frequently employed.

Prevailing Colors.—Rich colors like wine, autumn foliage, the plumage of birds, deep rich blues, reds, yellows, greens; usually dark blue field.

Dyes.—Good.

Designs.—Pole medallions almost universal. Has as a rule more figures of birds and animals than any other class of rugs. Pear pattern very common. The centre field is frequently filled with diagonal stripes. Flowers scattered throughout the field.

Sizes.—Usually medium, four to five by six to eight. Also carpet sizes. Saddle bags are very common.

Prices.—$1.25 to $3.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—They seldom lie well. They are often crooked and puffed up. The Bergama is the only other rug made with tassels along the sides.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

The field carries an unusual double arrangement of the pear motif, alternating with small tree forms. The outside border consists of small bird forms, each alternate row facing in the opposite direction. Note the elaborate webbing at each end. (See also page 104.) Prayer rugs of this class are exceedingly rare, in fact they are seldom seen in this country. This one is a gem, but has lost its principal Shiraz character in that the sides have been reovercast with wool of one color instead of with two or more colors, as it originally was. Another very unusual feature is the absence of two of the border stripes on the lower end. (See also color plate at page 52 and doubletone at page 208.)

HERAT

Synonyms.—Herati, Heratee.

Why So Named.—Probably so named because the Herati design, which is characteristic of the rug, originated in the city of Herat.

By Whom Made.—It is also said that the weavers of these rugs were originally from Herat.

Where Made.—In the province of Khorasan.

Knot.—Usually the Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch forty-eight to one hundred forty-four.

Warp.—Cotton. Silk in some of the antiques.

Woof.—Usually cotton, sometimes wool. As a rule dyed brown.

Nap.—Soft, glossy wool of medium length.

Weave.—Very closely woven.

Sides.—Overcast.

Ends.—Narrow web with loose warp threads at each end.

Border.—Usually from three to seven border stripes. The Herati design is common. Green is usually the background of the main border stripe.

Prevailing Colors.—Brilliant reds, greens, blues, and yellows, also ivory. Often a purplish pink cast.

Dyes.—Unsurpassed.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Feraghan. Most always the Herati design, the leaves of which are generally shaded on one side. Occasionally the pear pattern with the stems all facing in one direction. Once in a while a medallion centre.

Sizes.—Seldom small. Medium sizes are most common. Some runners and occasionally a saddle bag.

Prices.—$2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Durable and heavy. Resemble the Khorasan in most respects. Aiyin and Kayin are names sometimes given to a coarse form of Herat. Many of the Herats of the 16th and 17th centuries are now erroneously called Ispahans.

KHORASAN

Why So Named.—After the most northeastern province of Persia from which they come.

Knot.—Senna. Number vertically eight to fifteen; number horizontally ten to twenty-five; number to square inch eighty to three hundred seventy-five.

Warp.—Always white cotton.

Woof.—Usually cotton, occasionally wool.

Nap.—Fine wool of varying lengths.

Weave.—Characteristic, there being four or more rows of knots with no weft threads between, then several weft threads, etc., giving a peculiar look to the back of the rug and when it is bent the knots are shown in groups.

Sides.—Usually overcast. Occasionally an added selvage.

Ends.—Fringe of loose warp threads at each end.

Border.—Usually from three to seven border stripes, most frequently three, one wide one and two narrow ones. Some have as many as sixteen. The Herati border design is common.

Prevailing Colors.—Magenta is a prominent color; reds, blues, greens, pinks, and white. Usually a background of rich red, blue, or white.

Dyes.—Antiques all good. Modern pieces are usually poor.

Designs.—Pear designs common. Animals and birds frequently depicted. The Herati design is the most frequently seen. Medallion centre with corners to match. Two small pears resting their stems upon a larger one is a design also commonly used. The field is often plain.

Sizes.—All sizes but mostly large, seven to fifteen by ten to twenty-five feet.

Prices.—$1.50 to $3.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—Antiques durable, pliable, and soft. Especially suitable for living rooms, libraries, and halls. Modern ones are good in every respect excepting the dyes.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

For description see tissue accompanying color plate at page 32.

MESHED

Synonyms.—Mashhed, Meshad.

Why So Named.—After Meshed, the capital of Khorasan, where they are made.

Knot.—Usually the Senna, seldom the Ghiordes. Number vertically nine to twenty; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch seventy-two to two hundred forty.

Warp.—Nearly always cotton, seldom wool.

Woof.—Usually wool, frequently cotton.

Nap.—Soft, silky, even wool of varying lengths.

Weave.—Characteristic with its uneven distribution of woof threads, even more so than in the Khorasan proper.

Sides.—Overcast with wool.

Ends.—Short web with loose warp threads at each end.

Border.—From three to seven border stripes. The Herati design very common.

Prevailing Colors.—The antiques have soft, subdued shades of blue, green, and pink, also ivory, while the modern ones have rather bright shades of the same colors.

Dyes.—In the antiques good. In the moderns poor.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Khorasan proper. The pear design predominates. The Herati is common. Animals and birds are frequently represented. Medallion centre common.

Sizes.—All sizes from three to ten by four to twenty feet or even larger.

Prices.—$2.00 to $4.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Similar in design to the Khorasan proper, but usually of a finer grade. Also heavier and more durable.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

A color plate of this beautiful rug may be seen on page 22. Its description is given on the accompanying tissue.

KIRMAN

Synonym.—Kerman.

Why So Named.—After the province and city of Kirman from which they come.

By Whom Made.—By the wandering tribes of Afghars.

Knot.—Always Senna. Number vertically ten to twenty-four; number horizontally eight to twenty; number to square inch eighty to four hundred eighty.

Warp.—Cotton always.

Woof.—Usually wool, frequently cotton.

Nap.—Fine silky and durable wool.

Weave.—Very fine and close.

Sides.—Overcast.

Ends.—Narrow web with fringe at each end.

Border.—Three to eight border stripes, usually three, one wide one with a narrow one on either side. Frequently there is a narrow strip of plain rose color all around the outer edge.

Prevailing Colors.—Light, soft, delicate blue, green, rose, old gold, and fawn.

Dyes of the best.

Designs.—Tree of life, birds, fruit, bouquets, vases; more naturalistic and less geometrical than any other Oriental rugs. Frequently a medallion centre.

Sizes.—All sizes from mats to carpets.

Prices.—From $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Genuine Kirmans are rather scarce because of the remoteness of the district from the centres of trade. They are not to be compared with the Kermanshahs or the Turkish Kirmans. The latter are coarse, modern, commercial products. Kirman rugs are soft and durable.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

Holmes Rug (page 212).—The field design, consisting of rows of vases filled with red roses, is quite common to this class of rugs, but the border is rather unusual, being a mixture of Persian and Chinese motifs.

Trump Rug (page 210).—A masterpiece both in workmanship and design. In the prayer field is the Tree of Life resting in a large urn. Note the medallion with Arabic inscriptions.

Kirman Saddle Bag (page 326).—The field is filled with the ordinary Kirman rendition of the rose. On one end of the Ghileem part is a piece of leather put there by the proud owner to prevent it from wearing by friction on the donkey's neck. Underneath will be found the original girdle and buckle.

KURDISTAN PROPER

Why So Named.—After the country in which they are made. A province occupying the eastern part of Turkey in Asia and the western part of Persia.

By Whom Made.—By the Nomadic tribes who live in the mountains of Kurdistan.

Knot.—Always the Ghiordes. Number vertically six to eight; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch thirty-six to eighty.

Warp.—Dark twisted wool or goats' hair. Usually gray.

Woof.—As a rule wool, sometimes goats' or camels' hair. Usually several woof threads between each row of knots.

Nap.—Usually good heavy gray wool which is cut long; sometimes goats' hair, camels' hair, or kurk.

Weave.—Generally good, the knots being well tied.

Sides.—Always overcast, frequently with different colored wools, most frequently brown.

Ends.—Usually a thick narrow selvage with knotted fringe or loose warp ends. Nearly always one or two lines of colored wool run through the selvage. This is a Kurdish characteristic and is a distinguishing feature. Often the web of one end is turned back and hemmed.

Border.—From two to nine border stripes, usually from three to four, one wide one with one or two narrow ones on each side. The main border stripe usually carries designs in profile.

Prevailing Colors.—Usually dark rich reds, greens, blues, yellows, pinks, and terra cotta, beautifully varied. The shading of colors is also a Kurdish characteristic.

Dyes.—Usually of the best. The Kurds have clung to the old colors more than any of the other rug-making people.

Designs.—Generally wild, irregular figures of various sizes scattered carelessly and the intervals filled with small indistinct figures. Lattice designs with each division filled with floral forms. The Herati and the pear designs are occasionally used.

Sizes.—Seldom large. From four to five by seven to eight feet and occasionally in carpet sizes.

Prices.—Usually from $0.75 to $3.00 per square foot. The prayer rugs are rare and expensive.

Remarks.—Freest of all from outside influences. Hard when new but most durable and satisfactory. In fact it is the best moderate priced rug now on the market.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Owner's Description.—Upon a rich blue ground the Mina Khani design is accurately wrought, and the five-petaled Henna blossoms are symmetrically placed in their customary relation to the dark red, blue and golden yellow floral rosette forms distributed over the field. Three rather narrow borders surround the field, the middle one of which is yellow. The inner and outer borders carry tawny colors and small patterns.