Chapter X: Part II (2)

OWNERS' DESCRIPTION.--No rug of any type that has come to our notice
has had a color tone that was so subdued and mellow as this rug.

The artist who conceived and created this masterpiece seems to have
woven into it a suggestion of his dreamy nature. He used shades where
others would have used colors and the result is a beautiful study in
browns.

The points at both ends of the field indicate its use as a hearth rug
or family rug, an heirloom about which one generation after another
gathered and told and retold the tales of their ancestors. It is such
rugs as this that were the sanctuary in that turbulent land; strangers
were far from safe, and especially members of some opposing tribe, but
let them once gain access to the tent in which was spread the hearth
rug, and let them place foot upon it, and they became at once the
guest of not only the chief but his whole tribe, and the entire tribe
was pledged to their safe keeping until they had been safely sped upon
their way.

The narrow ribbon stripes on the border of this rug, with the small
floral conceits woven throughout them, are typical of the old Kulahs.

(See page 239)]

THE TURKISH CLASSIFICATION

The term "Turkey" includes all portions of Asia Minor, the principal rug-weaving districts of which are Anatolia and Kurdistan.

The annual importations of rugs into the United States alone from Asia Minor amount to from $2,500,000 to $3,000,000, most of which are shipped directly from Constantinople. In many parts of Asia Minor, especially in Oushak, Smyrna, Ghiordes, Kulah, and Sivas, nearly every home has a loom, some two or three, and in many places factories have been established by European and American capitalists; the weavers are almost all Armenian women and children, the latter ranging from four to thirteen years of age. Moslem women and children will not work in factories. As a rule these people earn barely enough to clothe and feed themselves, but those who have been able to lay by anything generally invest their earnings in carpets, as people of other countries often do in diamonds and precious stones, handing them down from generation to generation and selling one when hard pressed for money, so that the tourist is often surprised to find in the homes a collection of very valuable rugs.

The Ghiordes knot is used exclusively and both warp and woof are always of wool or goats' hair. Fully four-fifths of the present output are aniline dyed. The weave is coarser and the nap longer than in the Persian class and many of them are crooked.

The designs, which vary little, are more geometrical than are those of the Caucasians. The Turks never weave figures of birds, animals and human beings, as their religion forbids it. Those with a cross are always Armenian, as the Turks do not decorate with the cross, while those with the prayer niche are always Turkish, as the Armenians never pray on their rugs. Green, the sacred color of the Mohammedans, is seldom used except in the prayer rugs or those designed for mosques. Most of the large Turkish carpets are modern and are made near Smyrna. Many of the modern fabrics bear no relation to antiques of the same name.

The southern part of Armenia is called Kurdistan. It is inhabited by wandering, warlike tribes of Nomads, who pasture their flocks in the southern plains in the winter and go to the mountain districts in the summer time.

The Kurds possess the skill of shading their colors, but this they have abandoned of late. They also scatter small bits of color through a space otherwise unoccupied. Red is their favorite color.

On the following pages is given a detailed description of the various Turkish rugs.

KIR SHEHR

SYNONYMS.--Kirit Shehr, Kirshehir, Kirshcher.

WHY SO NAMED.--After a town of that name in Turkey just southeast of Smyrna, where they are made.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically seven to twelve; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch forty-two to one hundred twenty.

WARP.--Wool, dyed the predominating color of the rug.

WOOF.--Wool, dyed the predominating color of the rug.

NAP.--Long, fluffy wool.

SIDES.--Colored selvage, sometimes added.

ENDS.--A colored web of various lengths at each end, also a fringe of loose or braided warp ends. Some of the smaller mats have on these webs several parti-colored tufts composed of all the different colored yarns which are used in the body of the rug.

BORDER.--From five to eight border stripes, most frequently five, the main stripe carrying the most pretentious form of ornamentation.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Brilliant reds, blues, and greens, especially the latter, of which there are phenomenal shades skilfully blended.

DYES.--As a rule splendid.

DESIGNS.--Attempted Persian designs. Prayer design with one cross panel at the bottom instead of at the top as in the Kulah.

SIZES.--Medium sizes only, two and one-half to four by four to six feet.

PRICES.--From $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.

REMARKS.--They are very scarce in the United States. They resemble the Bergama and are thick and durable.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION.--Ghiordes knot, 7 horizontal by 10 vertical.
An unusual specimen of Kir Shehr in prayer design, marked by a
radical departure from the accepted type of prayer arch formation
peculiar to this weave. The flatness of the arch and the
multiplicity of borders and stripes suggest Kula influence. The
outer border, on ivory, has a conventionalized floral design,
green, yellow and pale blue flower devices on waving vine tracery.
Two medium stripes in different red values enclose the second
border, which carries the S device in lavender and blue on black.
The inner border displays the carnation in blue, lavender and red
on canary. The prayer field is flat and non-serrate at top, border
outlined in an ancient Kir Shehr motif in red and ash white on
light blue. About the mihrab is an arrangement of carnations, while
the top of arch and on outer side of field are more pinks and a
small shrub device. The field is in shades of rose, the softened
end result of an original magenta, and carries three plateaus
superposed, each sustaining four trees; two bearing fruits outlined
against soft green foliage, and the other two, coniferæ. Between
each outer pair of trees is a little temple. Above and below in the
field are curious devices evidently picturing some presumably
sacred edifice. This rug bears evidence of age and use, while the
chromatic ensemble is soft and refined. Technically, it has a two
strand yellow selvage; two red wool weft threads between each row
of knots, and a two strand cream wool warp. Both ends are finished
with a short, light brown web and plain, long fringe.

SIEGEL RUG.--This piece is similar to one exhibited in the Berlin
museum under the name of Kir Shehr, although it has some
characteristics of other Anatolian products, such as the Kulah, the
Konieh and the Meles. Having only the photograph to assist us in
the classification, we are obliged to accept that of the Berlin
connoisseur.

STANTON RUG (page 130).--The small border stripes in this piece
are Kulah in character, while the main stripe is found more or
less in all the Anatolian products, especially the Ghiordes.

OUSHAK

WHY SO NAMED.--After the city of Oushak, one of the greatest rug markets of Asia Minor, on account of its railroad connection with the Mediterranean seaboard.

BY WHOM MADE.--Mostly by Greek Mohammedans who reside in the vicinity of Oushak.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to ten; number to square inch sixteen to eighty.

WARP.--Wool of the same grade as that in the pile. It is generally dyed the predominating color of the rug.

WOOF.--Wool, same as that used for the warp and pile, and it also is dyed.

NAP.--Good wool of varying lengths.

WEAVE.--Loosely woven.

SIDES.--No rule.

ENDS.--No rule; most frequently a short green or red web with loose warp threads.

BORDER.--No rule; usually three border stripes, one wide one with a narrow one on each side.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Usually bright reds, greens, blues, browns, and yellows, with more or less white.

DYES.--Aniline mostly.

DESIGNS.--No rule. Generally large medallions and geometrical figures. Some are patterned after the Persians and some after the Turkish designs, but the great majority are European.

SIZES.--Mostly carpet sizes from ten to twenty-five by fifteen to fifty feet. Usually nearly square.

PRICES.--$0.75 to $2.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--There are several varieties which in order of excellence are named Gulistan, Enile, Kerman, Yaprak and Sparta.

KARAMAN

SYNONYM.--Kaba Karaman.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the town of Karaman, southeast of Konieh, where they are made by Nomadic tribes of Turkoman descent. The word "Kaba" means coarse.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically four to six; number horizontally four to eight; number to square inch ten to forty-eight.

WARP.--Coarse wool. Usually dyed red.

WOOF.--Always coarse wool. Usually dyed red.

NAP.--Of medium or long, coarse wool.

WEAVE.--Very loosely woven.

SIDES.--Usually overcast, sometimes selvaged.

ENDS.--No special rule. Frequently short web with loose warp threads.

BORDER.--Usually from three to five border stripes; one wide one with one or two narrow ones on either side.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Usually a great deal of white with dark reds, blues, greens, and yellows.

DYES.--Good in antiques, poor in the moderns.

DESIGNS.--Rather bold Caucasian designs.

SIZES.--Most of those which come to America are small.

PRICES.--Very cheap, from $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Coarse and unattractive but rather durable.

KONIEH

SYNONYM.--Koniah.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the city of Konieh (the ancient Iconium), capital of the province of the same name, where rug weaving is an important industry.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally seven to ten; number to square inch fifty-six to one hundred twenty.

WARP.--Fine wool in the antiques; coarse wool in the moderns; frequently dyed.

WOOF.--Fine wool in the antiques; coarse wool in the moderns.

NAP.--Fine selected wool of medium length.

WEAVE.--Antiques evenly and tightly woven; moderns loose and irregular in weave.

SIDES.--Antiques usually selvaged, moderns usually overcast.

ENDS.--Web and selvage, sometimes fringe of loose warp ends.

BORDER.--As a rule there are from three to four border stripes, one wide one and two or three narrow ones.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Antiques have soft shades of blue, red, and yellow. No rule in the moderns. Often there are two colors in one yarn.

DYES.--Splendid in the antiques. Some of the modern ones are aniline dyed.

DESIGNS.--Rather crude. Generally plain centre. Prayer design common.

SIZES.--Three to five by four to seven. Also mats.

PRICES.--Antiques rare; from $2.00 to $10.00 per square foot. Moderns from $1.00 to $2.25 per square foot.

REMARKS.--The modern pieces are large and thick. They resemble the Oushak carpets. Some of them are of sterling texture and good color and design, while others are very coarse and cheap in every way.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

MAJ. L. B. LAWTON'S DESCRIPTION.--A most unique and rare specimen
of an obscure Anatolian weave. Good Koniehs are quite as scarce as
good Kulahs or Ghiordes, are less known and have therefore less
demand. The right and left Rhodian lilies are green, the centre one
is azure--all on rose pink. The space above shades from Nile green
to sea green. Main border is golden buff. This old rug is as thick
as a Kazak. For softness of tone it rivals the most delicate silk
rug.

MERCER RUG (page 138).--This is a rug of considerable age, and a
very fine specimen of its kind. The center is in soft tints of
undyed wool, while the peacock blues of the field above the niche
are almost metallic in their brilliancy and lustre. The delicate
form of the Rhodian lily is used with much nicety of feeling
throughout the border and to break the mass of the centre.
(Owner's description.)

MUJUR

SYNONYM.--Maden.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the city of Mujur in the Kir Shehr district of the Province of Konieh, from which they come.

KNOT.--Always the Ghiordes.

WARP.--Always the wool.

WOOF.--Wool, dyed red.

NAP.--Short wool.

BORDERS.--Usually three border stripes, one wide one, with a narrow one on either side. The main stripe usually carries floral forms arranged in square or diamond shaped medallions. The reciprocal saw teeth design is frequently employed.

ENDS.--Usually a wide red web with or without short knotted warp ends.

SIDES.--Finished with a three or four corded selvage.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Red, green, blue, cream, and yellow.

DESIGNS.--This class of rug nearly always comes in the prayer form. There is generally a cross panel above the prayer niche and the field is, as a rule, filled with designs.

SIZES.--From two and a half to five feet wide by four to seven long.

PRICES.--Rather high on account of their scarcity. From $2.00 to $10.00 a square foot.

REMARKS.--This class of rugs is so rare that it is not mentioned by any of the American or English authors.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION.--This rug comes from the town of Maden, in the
Kir Shehr district of Konieh province. Mudjar, a better known rug
producing town, is within twenty miles. It has the remarkable wool
and dye qualities that make the production of Kir Shehr. This rug
is so very bright that the assertion that it is fifty to
seventy-five years old might be disputed, but the unequal color
erosion, the remarkable bald shine of the back, and the well marked
thinning of the pile where the knees of the devotee rested while at
his devotion, evidence its antiquity. The panel of lavender above
the prayer arch is notable, as is the pigeon blood ruby of the
field. While this rug has evidently done duty for many years, it
was probably folded away after use at prayer, and given little
exposure to sunlight.

LADIK

WHY SO NAMED.--A corruption of the word Laodicea, the name of a most primitive old town of 500 population in the midst of a mound of ruins near Konieh, where they are made.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.

WARP.--Always wool, generally of a fine texture and dyed the predominating color of the rug.

WOOF.--Always wool and usually dyed the predominating color of the rug.

NAP.--In the antiques the finest, selected, lustrous wool, which is generally cut short. In the moderns a coarse wool of loose texture.

WEAVE.--Antiques closely and evenly woven. Moderns loosely woven.

SIDES.--A fairly wide colored selvage, made by weaving the woof threads upon three or four of the outside warp threads. Sometimes the selvage is added.

ENDS.--Usually a two-or three-inch red web at each end, which is frequently striped with yellow or blue. A fringe formed by the loose warp ends.

BORDER.--From three to five border stripes, generally three, one wide one with a narrow one on each side. The main border stripe in many of the oldest specimens has the Rhodian lily design alternating with the rosette.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Subdued rich colors. Usually greens, reds, blues, and yellows, with more or less old ivory or white. Magenta is very frequently employed.

DYES.--Good, as a rule.

DESIGNS.--Prayer design most frequent. The pattern is so characteristic as to be unmistakable. Figures are usually bold and large in comparison to the size of the rug. The prayer niche always contains five tree-like branches alternately capped with a floral and a geometrical design. A mosque lamp usually hangs from the niche.

SIZES.--Prayer rug sizes and mats similar to the so-called "Anatolian" mats.

PRICES.--From $1.75 to $3.50 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Not many modern ones. They somewhat resemble the Bergama, but are somewhat brighter and heavier.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

MAJ. L. B. LAWTON'S DESCRIPTION.--Choice antique Ladiks are
considerably rarer than either Kulahs or Ghiordes. Many collectors
owning all other Anatolians have never seen a Ladik. This weave
almost invariably shows the Rhodian lilies both above and below the
niche. The specimen here shown has a rich red field doubly hooked
with gold; spaces above and below are gentian blue, main border is
yellow. This latter color has until recently been in disfavor with
American collectors; but the French and German critics have always
shown a great liking for yellow, and it is now coming into its own
in America.

See also color plate at page 74.

YURUK

SYNONYMS.--Yurouk, Yaruk.

WHY SO NAMED.--The word "Yuruk" means mountaineer, and the rugs are so named because they are woven by the mountaineers who wander with their flocks on the southern and middle ranges of Anatolia.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally seven to ten; number to square inch fifty-six to one hundred twenty.

WARP.--Brown wool or goats' hair. Frequently dyed.

WOOF.--Brown wool or goats' hair. Frequently dyed.

NAP.--Fine, long, fluffy, lustrous wool, sometimes mixed with goats' hair.

WEAVE.--Loosely woven as a rule.

SIDES.--Selvaged with goats' hair or overcast with colored yarns.

ENDS.--Narrow colored webs with warp ends braided.

BORDER.--Usually two or three stripes, which are, as a rule, rather narrow in proportion to the size of the rug.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Brilliant dark colors. Browns and blues seem to predominate.

DYES.--Generally good.

DESIGNS.--Large, irregular, rude geometrical designs, somewhat similar to those of the Kazak. The latch hook is frequently employed.

SIZES.--Usually small.

PRICES.--From $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Antiques glossy and rare. The modern ones are invariably crooked and lack symmetry, but wear well. In many respects they resemble the Kazaks.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

In design this piece is more Caucasian than Turkish. The main
border design is similar to those so frequently found in the old
Shirvans. Note the letter S, borders, the tarantulas and the
swastikas.

AK HISSAR

SYNONYMS.--Akhissar, Aksar, Axar.

WHY SO NAMED.--After a town by that name lying in the mountains less than one hundred miles north of Smyrna, where they are made.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to ten; number to square inch sixteen to eighty.

WARP.--Coarse wool.

WOOF.--Coarse wool.

=Nap.=--Thick wool and mohair.

WEAVE.--Loosely woven.

SIDES.--Usually overcast, occasionally selvaged.

ENDS.--Narrow web at each end with loose warp threads.

BORDER.--Similar to those of the Ghiordes.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Mostly dark green, red, and blue, with some white.

DYES.--Like most of the Turkish rugs, the moderns are apt to be chemically dyed.

DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Ghiordes and Oushak.

SIZES.--From four to six by six to eight feet.

PRICES.--Usually cheap.

REMARKS.--Similar to the modern Ghiordes. Very few reach the United States.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

MAJ. L. B. LAWTON'S DESCRIPTION.--A typical specimen, showing
double and single latch hooks in the niche. The eight borders might
cause a beginner to name the rug Kulah, except for the reason that
Kulahs are paler in tone and usually much larger, and decidedly
thinner. A good Ak Hissar is intrinsically worth as much as a Kulah
of same quality, but, being less rare, may be had for about ten per
centum of the cost of a Kulah. This Ak Hissar is a study in rose
and green; the niche is rose, the oblong field is green; inside
border is canary, next is black; other borders alternate rose and
ivory. The pattern above the niche is a Ghiordes conceit, as is the
main border.

ANATOLIAN PROPER

SYNONYM.--Yesteklik, a name frequently applied to the mats.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the country of Anatolia, which is another name for Asia Minor.

WHERE MADE.--Most of them come from the province of Angora and Konieh. The so-called Anatolian mats come from all parts of Anatolia.

KNOT.--Always Ghiordes. Number vertically six to fifteen; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch thirty-six to one hundred fifty.

WARP.--Always wool.

WOOF.--Always wool, which is usually dyed.

NAP.--Usually a long, shaggy, soft wool. Sometimes mohair.

WEAVE.--Very good as a rule, but apt to be somewhat irregular.

SIDES.--Always selvaged.

ENDS.--Nearly always a wide red webbing with loose warp threads at each end.

BORDER.--From one to six border stripes, most usually three.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Rich reds, yellows, greens, and blues, with more or less white.

DYES.--Good in the antiques. Few modern pieces that are not aniline dyed.

DESIGNS.--Usually bold geometrical designs. Every sort of a device both curved and rectilineal. The latch hook is especially common. The prayer rugs are patterned somewhat after the Ghiordes and Ladik.

SIZES.--From one to four by one and one-half to six feet. Seldom larger.

PRICES.--From $0.25 to $3.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Frequently crooked. Attractive on account of their oddity. Very serviceable. Some of the antique Anatolians are made in sections and afterwards sewed together.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

See color plate at page 60 with accompanying description.

BERGAMA

SYNONYMS.--Bergamo, Pergamo.

WHY SO NAMED.--A corruption of the word Pergamo, which is the name of a small village of 3000 inhabitants, about forty miles northeast of Smyrna, where they are made.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to fourteen; number horizontally six to twelve; number to square inch sixty to one hundred sixty-eight.

WARP.--Always dyed wool, usually of a splendid quality.

WOOF.--Always dyed wool.

NAP.--The best soft, silky wool, usually quite long.

WEAVE.--Frequently several woof threads between each row of knots.

SIDES.--Usually broad red selvaged sides, made by weaving the woof threads upon three or four outside warp threads. Frequently have small tassels of wool along the sides. The only rug that has these excepting the Shiraz.

ENDS.--Rather broad web with braided fringe at each end. The web often carries a woven design or blue stripes. Until recently the Bergama was the only rug which sometimes had rosettes woven on the webbing. Nowadays an occasional Anatolian may be found with this feature.

BORDER.--From three to five border stripes, usually three. They are generally wide with flowers in profile.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Red, green, blue, yellow, ivory, and orange. Rather dark.

DYES.--Nearly always of the best.

DESIGNS.--The Bergama designs are somewhat characteristic. The Bergama weavers are inventors of patterns rather than copyists. Medallions frequent, with a well covered field. Sometimes the checker-board pattern. Figures generally bold and large in proportion to size of the rug.

SIZES.--Usually nearly square. One and one-half to four by two to six feet. Antiques usually run smaller than the modern ones.

PRICES.--Rather high. From $2.00 to $10.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Very scarce.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

BERGAMA RUG.--The unusual medallion in this piece is characteristic
of the Bergama only. In its centre is the octagon and eight-pointed
star of the Medes, a motif which is found more or less in nearly
all classes of rugs, but in none more frequently than in the
Bergama.

The main border stripe is composed of lily blossoms in profile and
in full.

* * * * *

BERGAMA PRAYER RUG (see page 46).--Knot: Ghiordes. Number to the
inch, horizontally seven; vertically seven; to the square inch,
seventy-seven.

Bergama prayer rugs are not often seen in this country and this
particular piece is a very uncommon and choice one. The designs
are unusual, the colors the best and the nap has the
hammered-brass appearance so common in many of the old Bergamas.

The prayer field is of a beautiful terracotta; the space just
above the niche is in light and dark blue; the panels carry most
peculiar geometrical designs in white, yellow, blue and brown, the
upper one on a ground of terracotta and the lower one on a ground
of old rose. The main border stripe carries a variety of nameless
geometrical designs in red, yellow, blue, brown and drab upon a
white background. The outer border stripe consists of an
eight-petaled flower alternating with a motif which might have
been intended for the wine glass, so frequently found in the
Caucasian fabrics.

GHIORDES

SYNONYMS.--Ghiordez, Gurdiz, Guerdi, Yourdez, Yurdi, and many others.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the city of Ghiordes, fifty miles north of Smyrna, where they are made. It is the ancient Gordium from which was named the Gordian knot that Alexander the Great cut.

KNOT.--Always the Ghiordes knot. Number vertically eight to fourteen; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.

WARP.--Usually wool, antiques occasionally cotton or silk.

WOOF.--Usually cotton, occasionally wool or linen.

NAP.--Short, fine, lustreless wool, occasionally cotton. It has the shortest nap of any of the Turkish rugs. Seldom acquires sheen.

SIDES.--Frequently finished with an added silk selvage in pale colors.

ENDS.--The fringe on the upper end, as a rule, instead of being a continuation of the warp threads, is a separate piece sewed on.

BORDER.--From three to ten border stripes, usually one wide and one with from one to four narrower ones on each side. A favorite arrangement is to alternate light and dark border stripes.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Light blues, yellows, reds, and greens. Usually considerable white or ivory.

DYES.--Of the best.

DESIGNS.--A great majority of them are of the prayer designs. Usually with a centre of solid color and two cross panels, one at each end of the field.

SIZES.--Usually prayer rug sizes. Modern ones run larger than the antiques.

PRICES.--Antiques exceedingly high.

REMARKS.--Antiques are among the best, while the modern ones are among the poorest.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION.--The field of this old Ghiordes rug is of jade
green, edged with small flower forms in cream, canary color, and
brown. The high prayer niche penetrates the light blue space in
which is a most symmetrical and formal arrangement of a leaf worked
in light green, brown and red. The outer and inner border stripes
carry the Ghiordes "Tarantula" design, and in the main border the
design is squared off in tile fashion, a stiff leaf in light blue
filling one-half the square and two red blossoms with yellow
centres the other half. The stems are wrought in dark brown. See
also color plate, page 66.

KULAH

SYNONYMS.--Koula, Coula.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the town of Kulah, which is southeast of Ghiordium and east of Smyrna, in the vicinity of which they are made.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.

WARP.--Always fine wool.

WOOF.--Usually fine wool. Moderns occasionally of cotton.

NAP.--Fine, short, silky wool in the antiques, mohair in some of the modern ones.

WEAVE.--Generally close, well tied knots.

SIDES.--Antiques always selvaged, moderns usually overcast and occasionally selvaged.

ENDS.--Narrow web with loose warp ends. Generally dyed yellow.

BORDER.--From seven to fourteen border stripes, having as a rule more than any other class of rugs. Usually one wide stripe with a multiplication of peculiarly marked small ones, which alternate in colors and carry minute designs. A distinguishing feature is the so-called "Kulah" border stripe, which consists of the repetition of a figure which somewhat resembles an alligator and is quite Chinese in character.

PREVAILING COLORS.--In the antiques, red, blue, golden brown, and yellow are the prevailing colors. The modern ones have a purplish tint instead of crimson.

DYES.--In the antiques the dyes are of the best. Anilines are frequently used in the modern product.

DESIGNS.--The great majority of the Kulah rugs are of the prayer variety. The inner field is frequently filled, or partly filled, with small floral patterns. A figure resembling the Shamrock is quite common. Usually one panel above the prayer field, whereas the Ghiordes generally has two panels: one above and one below the prayer field.

SIZES.--Antiques from three and one-half to five by five to seven feet. Moderns all sizes from mats to carpets.

PRICES.--Antiques costly, from $5.00 to $20.00 per square foot. Modern ones cheap, from $1.50 to $4.00.

REMARKS.--So similar to the Ghiordes that it is sometimes difficult to differentiate. Of the modern ones the better grades are made by the Christians, while the poorer grades are made by the Mohammedans. The distinguishing features of the Kulah are first its characteristic border stripes, second the filled or partly filled centre field, while in the Ghiordes the centre field is generally of a solid color, and third, the single panel, while the Ghiordes generally has two panels.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION.--The coloring in this rug has a gem-like
brilliancy combined with great refinement. The field is of deep
rich blue, and the flower forms that rest upon it are of soft
canary and azure. Seven borders alternately of tan and blue
surround the field and carry the "fleck" design commonly found in
borders of this style. Occasional touches of blood red are also
distinctive features of these Kulah fabrics.

MELES

SYNONYMS.--Melhaz, Melace, Milas, Carian, Karian.

WHY SO NAMED.--A corruption of the word Milassa, the name of a town a few miles southwest of Smyrna, where they are marketed.

WHERE MADE.--In some of the seacoast towns south of Smyrna and on many of the scattered islands in the Gulf of Makri.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically five to ten; number horizontally four to nine; number to square inch twenty to ninety.

WARP.--Wool, often colored at the end.

WOOF.--Cotton or wool, most frequently the former.

NAP.--Coarse, loose, lustrous wool, generally cut short.

SIDES.--Selvaged. This selvage is formed by the woof threads when they are wool and added on when the woof threads are cotton.

ENDS.--Web of varying length at each end with fringe of loose warp threads.

BORDER.--Generally six or more border stripes; the wider one usually carries flowers in profile.

PREVAILING COLORS.--The antiques are noted for their rich golden yellow combined with blues, reds, and greens.

DYES.--Generally good. Some of the modern pieces are dyed with brilliant chemical dyes.

DESIGNS.--Mostly Caucasian in character. The latch hook is prominent. Besides the usual prayer designs, perpendicular stripes of yellow, red, and blue, with zigzag lines running through them, are characteristic designs of the Meles. Many small detached figures.

SIZES.--Usually small and almost square. Three to four by four to five feet.

PRICES.--Antiques are rare and few of the modern pieces reach the United States. From $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--They are similar to the so-called Anatolian, but are lighter in color and woven better. In some respects they resemble the Bergama. Getting scarce as few new ones are woven.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION.--This rug comes from a city of great antiquity
in Southwestern Asia Minor, near the coast, opposite the island of
Rhodes.

The design and coloring are archaic in simplicity and suggest the
interests of a people dwelling by the sea. Observe the turtle
figures interspersed between the curves of vine in the panels;
also the fin-like appearance of the leaf-forms attached to the
vine, the line of fish-hook heads bordering the panels and wave
design on either side of same. The striped character of the field
is a feature to be noted in this rug, also the introduction of an
exceptional design in the fourth stripe.

The border is seen to be very inconspicuous and of remarkably few
stripes for a product of the Anatolian country. The simple nature
of the small detached floral forms indicates an early origin,
before the enriching influence of the Persian invasion.

Brilliant colors were chosen for use in the rug, though of such
mellow tone as to be in excellent, subdued harmony. The
predominating colors are golden canary-yellow, madder red, and
green, with blue, violet and white as secondary tones.

The shades in which these colors appear are quite indescribable,
doubtless on account of careless methods of dyeing or the chances
of home-made mixtures. Thus the green is of a bluish cast, the
blue is mottled with lighter shades (a well-known characteristic
of this variety of rug) and the violet, which, as the most typical
and exclusive of Meles colors, should be pure in tone, is of dingy
look, apparently having succeeded brown in the dye-pot.

All the colors have remained absolutely fast, despite the long
exposure of time. The kaleidoscopic effect which has been noted as
a quality in many old Meles rug patterns, may be easily detected
in this specimen.

STANTON RUG.--A much finer weave than the average rug of this
class and a very attractive design. Note the peculiar shape of the
field which is notched in instead of out, as in the majority of
hearth rugs. The yellow and the plum colors in the main border
stripe are seldom found in any other class of rugs.

MAKRI

SYNONYM.--Megri.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the Gulf of Makri.

WHERE MADE.--On the islands in the Gulf of Makri and in the towns along its coast.

KNOT.--Always the Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to eight; number to the square inch sixteen to sixty-four.

WEAVE.--Quite similar to that of the Meles, but a trifle coarser.

WARP.--White or gray wool.

WOOF.--White or gray wool.

NAP.--Of long wool, usually from 3/8 to 3/4 of an inch long.

SIDES.--Usually finished with a three or four corded selvage.

ENDS.--A wide web through which generally run blue and red stripes with or without a knotted mesh and loose warp ends.

BORDERS.--Usually three stripes, the designs of which are, as a rule, less floral in character than are those of the Meles.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Quite similar to those employed in the Meles, especially the yellows, reds, blues and plum color. Unlike the Meles, they usually carry green.

DESIGNS.--A sort of a mixture of the Meles and Caucasian designs. The field is most frequently composed of two or three panels which very much resemble those of cathedral windows.

SIZES.--From three and a half to four and a half feet wide by five to seven feet long.

PRICES.--As they are seldom found in the market it is difficult to place any stated value on them.

REMARKS.--One of the rarest rugs in existence.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

The weave, the tawny yellow and the motives in the right hand panel
are typically Meles; the motives in the left hand panel are more
like those found in the Bergama products; and the cross panel at
the upper end of the field is a Kulah or Ghiordes feature. The wide
web at either end with the varicolored stripes is a feature quite
foreign to the Anatolian products.

SMYRNA

WHY SO NAMED.--Because they are marketed at Smyrna. Smyrna itself is not a centre of rug weaving, but these rugs come from the towns of the western provinces of Turkey in Asia, namely, Aidin and Brousa.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to ten; number to square inch sixteen to eighty.

WARP.--Coarse wool.

WOOF.--Coarse wool, generally dyed.

NAP.--Loosely woven.

WEAVE.--Loosely woven and carelessly tied.

SIDES.--No rule, most frequently short web with loose warp ends.

BORDER.--No rule; generally three border stripes, one wide one with a narrow one on each side.

PREVAILING COLORS.--No rule. Bright reds, blues, and greens are commonly employed.

DYES.--Generally chemical.

DESIGNS.--Anything and everything, largely European and seldom artistic.

SIZES.--Carpet sizes only.

PRICES.--From $1.00 to $1.50 per square foot.

REMARKS.--No antiques. The modern ones are purely commercial creations.

MOSUL

SYNONYMS.--Mousoul, Moussoul.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the town of that name in Mesopotamia, where they are marketed. They are made by the Kurds who inhabit the mountainous districts north of Mosul around Lake Van.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically six to eight; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch thirty-six to eighty.

WARP.--Usually coarse, dark wool or goats' hair. Occasionally cotton.

WOOF.--Usually coarse, dyed wool.

NAP.--Excellent, long, lustrous wool, camels' or goats' hair.

WEAVE.--Some closely and tightly woven, but the majority are rather loosely woven.

SIDES.--Corded edges overcast with dark wool. Frequently overcast with wool of different colors after the Kurdish fashion. Occasionally selvaged.

ENDS.--At each end a narrow selvage with one or more stripes of colored yarn running through, usually red and blue. As a rule one of these selvages is turned over and hemmed, while the other is finished with braided warp threads which are knotted at the ends.

BORDER.--From three to six border stripes, usually three, which are separated by lines of dark blue or brown. Frequently there is considerable camels' hair in the border. The Saraband pattern is sometimes copied.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Usually dark, rich blues, yellows, greens, reds, and browns. The browns and yellows predominate as a rule. These colors are shaded as only the Kurds know how.

DYES.--As a rule excellent except in a small proportion of the modern pieces.

DESIGNS.--A multitude of designs which are usually rather striking in character. Probably patterned more after the Persian designs than any others. The Saraband and the Herati patterns are frequently used. Medallions filled with the pear or other small designs.

SIZES.--Usually three to four by four to seven feet, runners from two to four by eight to twenty feet. Saddle bags.

PRICES.--Among the best moderate priced rugs. From $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Best in the market for very hard service. Quite thick and heavy and generally lie well.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

OWNER'S DESCRIPTION.--This type of rug comes from the largest
rug-producing centre of Eastern Asia Minor. The specimen shown
illustrates the Mosul at its best, as to closeness of weave, length
of pile, symmetry of design and richness of coloring.

The superb lustre of the wool, comparable only to a silk plush,
and the great softness of the long pile--features which have made
famous the rugs from this region--are here conspicuous.

In shape and design also the specimen is typical. The field is
composed of diamond-shaped sections outlined in black and
decorated with the conventionalized tarantula. By placing these
sections diagonally a latticed effect is produced.

The usual border plan of three stripes, two narrow ones separated
by a broader, appears here. The narrow stripes are in the familiar
flower-and-vine design, the broad stripe in a formal arrangement of
rosette and hour-glass, all conforming to the geometrical and
rectangular lines of Turkish design.

The color scheme of the piece is remarkable for its harmony. The
dominant color is wine, introduced in many beautifully blended
shades, and relieved with correspondingly soft tones of old blue
and green, the whole illuminated with well-arranged bands of
white.

Knot: Ghiordes. Seven to the inch horizontally and nine vertically,
making sixty-three to the square inch.

A splendid specimen of Caucasian weaving, being a perfect gem for
color, quality and sheen, although in design it differs somewhat from
the ordinary Shirvan.

The field is covered with octagons each of which contains an
eight-petaled flower, no two of which are alike in color. Upon close
inspection it is noticeable that the ends of some of the petals are
finished in a color entirely different from that of the rest of the
petal.

Between the octagons are strewn various floral, pear and goat forms
and the weaver has indulged in the Kurdish trick of shading the
background, which shows no less than three distinct shades of green.

The main border stripe consists of a meandering vine with a leaf form
at each turn and on each side of this is a narrow stripe carrying the
Greek meander, the outer one on a field of yellow and the inner one
on a field of red.

This is a very old piece with dyes equal to those found in any part
of the Orient, even in olden times, and although the colors are
rather pronounced they are very pleasing to the eye.

(See page 265)]

THE CAUCASIAN CLASSIFICATION

Caucasia and Transcaucasia form an isthmus connecting Europe and Asia. It is bounded on the west by the Black Sea and on the east by the Caspian Sea and it has an area of about 166,500 square miles, with a population of nearly ten million. It was once Persian territory, but was acquired by Russia in 1813. Nowhere in the world is there such a mixture of races and languages, the number of dialects being estimated at about seventy. The carpets of the Caucasians are in coloring and in design identical with those of Ancient Assyria and Babylon and they have preserved their original characteristics, but alas, not their original dyes, for here too the coal-tar products have been well received by these wild mountaineers.

The Caucasian rugs are characterized by their prominent borders and their purely geometrical patterns with sharp outlines. Both warp and woof are usually of wool excepting in some of the Kabistans and Shirvans and, as a rule, the ends are finished with loose or braided warp threads. The predominating colors are the blues and yellows. They are seldom made in large sizes. Some of the most characteristic designs are the eight-pointed star of the Medes, the six-pointed star of the Mohammedans, the triangle, the diamond, the latch hook, the barber-pole stripe, the tarantula, the swastika, the reciprocal trefoil, the link-in-lozenge and the tree of life.

DAGHESTAN

WHY SO NAMED.--Daghestan means "mountain land" and is the name of a district in Caucasian Russia on the Caspian Sea. It has a population of 600,000.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to fifteen; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch eighty to two hundred ten.

WARP.--Usually wool, being as a rule a dark brown or natural color in the antiques and white or gray in the moderns. Some of the moderns have a combination of cotton and wool. The warp threads may be composed of one strand of cotton and one of wool in such a way as to cause a puckering of the fabric, especially after it has been wet.

WOOF.--In the moderns nearly always cotton. In the antiques usually white or gray wool or a mixture of the two.

NAP.--Fine silky wool cut short.

WEAVE.--As a rule finely and closely woven.

SIDES.--Selvaged or overcast with colored wool.

ENDS.--A narrow selvage with loose or knotted warp threads at each end.

BORDER.--Three or more border stripes, usually three, carrying small figures and separated by narrow stripes of solid colors. The main border stripe most frequently has a cream colored ground. The lobster, the crab, the reciprocal trefoil, the reciprocal saw-teeth, the wine glass, the barber-pole stripe, and the Georgian border designs are frequently employed.

PREVAILING COLORS.--The central ground is usually ivory with figures in the different tints of red, blue, green, and yellow.

DYES.--In the antiques all good. Some of the moderns are aniline dyed.

DESIGNS.--The same patterns are employed as were in vogue centuries ago. Diagonal ornamentation of both border and field is frequently employed as in many of the Kabistans. Floral forms seldom used. The centre is never plain, but is always filled with small geometrical figures. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, S forms, octagon, eight-pointed star, and the latch hook variations are common. The Greek cross is almost omnipresent.

SIZES.--From two and one-half to seven by four to ten feet.

PRICES.--Antiques rare; moderns cheap, from $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Frequently crooked. The Shirvan and Kabistans are often sold as Daghestans.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

COLOR PLATES

with accompanying descriptions at pages 84 and 292.

DOUBLETONES

DAGHESTAN RUG (page 254)

Like most rugs of its class this piece consists wholly of
geometrical devices such as the latch hook, star, octagon,
barber-pole stripe, etc., all spaces being filled with designs of
various sizes. Each motif consists of three eight-pointed star
forms, one within another. The second and third borders are purely
Caucasian and represent a twig with two leaves and a flower. This
motif is seldom found in any but the Caucasian fabrics.

DAGHESTAN PRAYER RUG (see page 256)

The most common form of Daghestan prayer rug with its Caucasian
niche and lattice field, each square of which is filled with a
peculiar rectilineal floral form. All of the border designs are
characteristically Caucasian.

DERBEND

SYNONYM.--Derbent.

WHY SO NAMED.--Derbend, meaning "a fortified gate," is the name of the chief city and capital of the province of Daghestan, in the neighborhood of which these rugs are made by the Tartars and Turkomans.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally five to ten; number to square inch forty to one hundred twenty.

WARP.--Brown wool or goats' hair.

WOOF.--Good wool. Usually more than two woof threads between each row of knots.

NAP.--Good, soft, thick, long, lustrous wool.

WEAVE.--Very good, but not as close as that of the Daghestans.

SIDES.--Generally overcast. Occasionally selvaged.

ENDS.--Like the Daghestans, a short web with knotted fringe at each end. Sometimes the web is wide as in the Turkoman products.

BORDER.--From two to four border stripes, carrying large geometrical patterns separated by narrow stripes of plain color.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Fewer colors than the Daghestans. Usually a field of blue or red. Yellow is lavishly employed.

DYES.--Generally good.

DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Daghestans and Kabistans, but of a coarser nature and purely geometric, the latch hook and the eight-pointed star devices being the most common. The field usually consists of a repetition of the designs in alternate colors.

PRICES.--From $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Rather rare. Of little artistic value.

KABISTAN

SYNONYMS.--Cabistan, Kuban.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the district of Kuba, which lies southwest of Daghestan near the Caspian Sea, where they are made.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to sixteen; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch eighty to two hundred twenty-four.

WARP.--Sometimes cotton, sometimes wool. They differ from the Daghestans in that the latter always have wool warp.

WOOF.--Usually cotton. Occasionally wool.

NAP.--Short wool, closely clipped, seldom lustrous.

WEAVE.--Closely woven, equal to the Daghestan in that respect.

SIDES.--Nearly always overcast with cotton threads or selvaged with cotton. Some of the modern ones are finished with a cording.

ENDS.--Narrow web with loose or twisted warp threads.

BORDER.--From three to five border stripes. The carnation in profile is one of the most commonly employed border designs.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Rich but not brilliant reds, greens, blues, and yellows, with considerable white.

DYES.--Like all other Caucasian rugs many of the modern ones are more or less chemically dyed.

DESIGNS.--Similar to the Shirvan. The floral forms are usually connected by meander lines, in which respect they differ from those of the Shirvan. An attempt to render geometrical ornament in a floral manner. Small conventional flowers thrown broadcast. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, S forms, diamonds, stars, birds, and animals are all introduced. A field of large rectilineal pear designs arranged in diagonal rows is common.

SIZES.--Usually oblong. Can be had in larger sizes than the Daghestan. From two and one-half to five by five to twenty feet.

PRICES.--From $1.00 to $3.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Often sold for the Daghestan. The most durable of the moderate priced rugs. They are thin and flexible and lie well.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

The field is filled with four peculiar oblong medallions and
geometrical devices of various kinds, such as the Greek key,
diamonds, crosses, etc. All of the border designs are
characteristically Caucasian.

TCHETCHEN

SYNONYMS.--Tzitzi, Chichi.

WHY SO NAMED.--The name of a powerful tribe of wandering mountaineers who inhabit the mountains in the northwestern part of Daghestan and who weave them.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically six to ten; number horizontally five to ten; number to square inch thirty to one hundred.

WARP.--Usually fine wool, occasionally cotton.

WOOF.--Fine wool. Frequently dyed brown.

NAP.--Fine wool, closely clipped.

WEAVE.--Usually well woven but looser than the Daghestan.

SIDES.--Narrow colored selvage, usually of extra yarns. Sometimes overcast.

ENDS.--Web of varying widths at each end with a fringe of loose warp ends.

BORDER.--From three to six border stripes carrying a combination of floral and geometrical designs. The so-called Chichi border design is nearly always present.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Usually dark colors with considerable dark blue and white.

DYES.--As a rule good.

DESIGNS.--Rather indefinite. Usually a mixture of the Caucasian and Persian designs repeated over the field so as to form a trellis. Diamond-shaped figures, rosettes, trefoils, and tarantula forms. Field rather narrow in comparison with the borders.

SIZES.--Nearly square, four to five by five to six feet.

PRICES.--From $0.75 to $2.50 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Resemble the Shirvan in texture, for which they are frequently sold.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

MAJ. L. B. LAWTON'S DESCRIPTION.--A typical specimen of this weave,
with the many small Chinese figures in blue. A star border, an
interlocking border and a wide basket border. This specimen is
unusual in being lighter toned in the ground.

BAKU

WHY SO NAMED.--After the city of Baku, a seaport on the Caspian in the district of Shirvan, from whence they are shipped.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to sixteen; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred ninety-two.

WARP.--Cotton or wool. Frequently camels' hair.

WOOF.--Usually cotton. Sometimes wool.

NAP.--Wool with more or less camels' or goats' hair, cut short.

WEAVE.--Generally closely woven and well tied.

SIDES.--Usually overcast, occasionally selvaged.

ENDS.--A small streak of camels' hair is usually thrown across one end. This is one of the characteristic Baku features.

BORDER.--From three to six border stripes, most frequently three, one wide one with a narrow one on either side.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Similar to those of the Daghestan.

DYES.--Generally good.

DESIGNS.--The large-sized pear pattern is perhaps the most common. It is generally of a rectilineal nature. Frequently there is a central medallion with corners to match.

SIZES.--From three to seven by four to nine feet. The length is generally double or more than the width.

PRICES.--Rather high priced on account of their scarcity; $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Not very common in the United States.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

The design of this piece, the large pear motif with central
serrated medallion and corner pieces to match, is the most common
one employed in the Baku district. In contrast to the Persian
rendition of the pear design those in the Baku are larger and more
rectilineal. Like the Saraband the stems point in the opposite
direction in alternate rows. All of the border stripes are purely
Caucasian, the central one being a form of latch hook border.

SHEMAKHA

SYNONYMS.--Soumak, Sumak, Kashmir, Cashmere.

WHY SO NAMED.--After the city of Shemakha, the capital and principal commercial city of the ancient Khanate of Shirvan, which was ceded to Persia in 1813. Soumak is a corruption of the word Shemakha. Sometimes called Kashmir or Cashmere on account of the resemblance of the weave to that of the Cashmere shawl.

BY WHOM MADE.--By the Nomadic tribes of Shirvan.

STITCHES.--In antiques ten to twelve rows of stitches to the inch. In moderns seven is the average.

WARP.--Always wool. Usually white in the antiques and coarse grayish brown in the moderns.

WOOF.--Always wool.

WEAVE.--Woven in the same primitive fashion as of old. The only pileless Oriental rug besides the Ghileems. The different colored woof threads are twisted over and under the warp threads by means of a needle in such a way that each stitch is made diagonally, taking in two of the warp threads and leaving every alternate row of stitches to face in the opposite direction after the herring-bone pattern. On the under side the shaggy ends of the colored woof threads are left loose. They never have any lustre.

SIDES.--Usually overcast in dark wool, sometimes selvaged.

ENDS.--A long fringe at both ends formed by the loose warp ends. Usually white in the antiques and grayish brown in the moderns.

BORDER.--From two to five border stripes, usually four, the main one carrying a zigzag design. The Georgian border design is common, as is also the Chinese fret.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Light and dark blue, green, yellow, red, orange, black, and white. The field is most frequently of dark blue or red.

DYES.--Good in antiques and poor in moderns.

DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Daghestan and Shirvan and have remained unchanged for centuries. All designs are outlined in black and the Mongolian influence is quite perceptible, the knot of destiny, mountains, etc., being very frequently used, together with the usual Caucasian designs such as the latch hook, octagon, and various other geometrical devices. Animals are frequently portrayed.

SIZES.--From three to seven by four to twelve feet. Seldom larger than seven by ten. Antiques were not made in carpet sizes.

PRICES.--From $0.75 to $1.75 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Durable, but they lack animation compared with other rugs.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Unlike other classes, the Shemakha has no pile but has a flat
stitch made by winding the dyed woof thread around the warp yarn.
This piece is one of the finest, having thirteen stitches to the
inch. Like in most rugs of its class, the designs are typically
Caucasian, among which are freely interspersed plenty of
eight-pointed stars, swastikas and knots of destiny. The latter
motif is nearly always present in this variety.

SHIRVAN

WHY SO NAMED.--After the district of Shirvan, south of Daghestan and extending from the Caspian Sea to the river Kur. Marketed at Baku, the trade centre of the district.

BY WHOM MADE.--Woven by the Lesgie tribes.

KNOT.--Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally five to nine; number to square inch thirty to one hundred eight.

WARP.--Generally white or gray wool or a mixture of the two in the antiques, while the moderns are of brown or white wool or a mixture of the two. Sometimes the warp is of cotton or goats' hair.

WOOF.--Usually wool in the antiques. In modern pieces, usually of wool, occasionally of cotton and sometimes cotton and wool strands will be twisted together in such a manner as to cause more or less puckering of the fabric, especially after same has been wet.

NAP.--Wool, cut short.

WEAVE.--Cheaply and roughly woven.

SIDES.--Overcast or selvaged.

ENDS.--Usually both ends are finished alike with a short web and an extra large fringe of loose or knotted warp threads.

BORDER.--Three to five border stripes, generally four, one wide one and several narrow ones. As a rule they carry small designs either of a Caucasian or Persian character. The latch hook, the tarantula, the scorpion, and the wine glass designs are common.

PREVAILING COLORS.--Quiet tints of red, blue, yellow, and salmon, with considerable white.

DYES.--Moderns very apt to be chemical.

DESIGNS.--Quite similar to those of the Daghestan and Kabistan, but more inclined to imitate the Persian designs without the connecting vine or meander effect and inclined to be rather large in proportion to the size of the rug. The tarantula, the swastika, the link, the S form, and the palace patterns are commonly employed.

SIZES.--From three to five by four to seven feet. No carpet sizes.

PRICES.--Among the cheapest of the Caucasian products. From $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.

REMARKS.--Moderns made only to sell.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

COLOR PLATES

with accompanying description at pages 158 and 250.

DOUBLETONE