Chapter III: Introduction: 17

Age of the weaving art; Biblical reference to the weaving
art; a fascinating study; the artistic worth and other
advantages of the Oriental products over the domestic;
annual importation.

I. COST AND TARIFF 25

Upon what depends the value; the various profits made;
transportation charges; export duties; import duties;
cost compared with that of domestic products; some
fabulous prices.

II. DEALERS AND AUCTIONS 31

Oriental shrewdness; when rugs are bought by the bale;
the auction a means of disposing of poor fabrics; fake
bidders.

III. ANTIQUES 35

The antique craze; why age enhances value; what constitutes
an antique; how to determine age; antiques in
the Orient; antiques in America; celebrated antiques;
American collectors; artificial aging.

IV. ADVICE TO BUYERS 43

Reliable dealers; difference between Oriental and domestic
products; how to examine rugs; making selections;
selection of rugs for certain rooms.

V. THE HYGIENE OF THE RUG 55

The hygienic condition of Oriental factories and homes;
condition of rugs when leaving the Orient; condition of
rugs when arriving in America; United States laws regarding
the disinfection of hides; the duties of retailers.

VI. THE CARE OF RUGS 63

Erroneous ideas regarding the wearing qualities of
Oriental rugs; treatment of rugs in the Orient compared
with that in America; how and when cleaned;
how and when washed; moths; how straightened; removal
of stains, etc.

VII. THE MATERIAL OF RUGS 69

Wool, goats' hair, camels' hair, cotton, silk, hemp;
preparation of the wool; spinning of the wool.

VIII. DYES AND DYERS 75

Secrets of the Eastern dye pots; vegetable dyes; aniline
dyes; Persian law against the use of aniline; the
process of dyeing; favorite colors of different rug-weaving
nations; how to distinguish between vegetable and
aniline dyes; symbolism of colors; the individual dyes
and how made.

IX. WEAVING AND WEAVERS 87

The present method compared with that of centuries
ago; Oriental method compared with the domestic;
pay of the weavers; the Eastern loom; the different
methods of weaving.

X. DESIGNS AND THEIR SYMBOLISM 97

Oriental vs. European designs; tribal patterns; the
migration of designs; characteristics of Persian designs;
characteristics of Turkish designs; characteristics of
Caucasian designs; characteristics of Turkoman designs;
dates and inscriptions; quotations from the
Koran; description and symbolism of designs alphabetically
arranged, with an illustration of each.

XI. THE IDENTIFICATION OF RUGS 147

A few characteristic features of certain rugs; table
showing the distinguishing features of all rugs; an
example.