The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-10-22
FANCIES IN CARPETS.
Oriental Prayer Rugs In Dcmand-The Rage
for Antique Rngs.

"Do you sell prayer rugs ?" the reporter
asked the manager OF one OF the largest carpet
houses In the neighborhood OF Union Square.
Thov are often inquired for" he replied.
and we sell considerable number. Theyaro
limited. however. as TO size. and that fact keeps
the sales within q certain limit. Most OF tho
prayer carpets are made in India chiefly at
Daghcston. in Hindostan. A few are manufac-
tured in smyrna. They are all made by hand.
and arc unusually gay in color. considering the
places they come from and the purposes for
which they are used. We will take the ele-
vator If you like. and examine some of thom."
A woll-lighted floor Of 200 feet or more in
length was soon reached. 1t was covered from
end to end with oil kinds. sizes. and coors OF
Oriental rugs and n few prayer carpets were
laid out In the sunlight
These vary in price," said the manager,
and may be had at from 900 to $50 each they
all measure about six feet by four. The Dor
ders arc very handsome. and the colors of
peculiarly decided character The ground
work in oil OF them is but little covered. and all
have their characteristic mark-that open.
oddly shaped figure. placed nearer one OF its
ends than the other"
Are prayer rugs used for devotional pur-
poses Z asked the reporter.
a, The CARPET man appeared to be amused by
Prayer carpets" he replied, ARE purchased
chiefly for their oddly and the fine work be-
slowed upon their borders. They are peculiar
rather than beautiful and are used for all legiti.
d., Indie carpets" he continued. come
pqtaw. Then we have the Cashmere and tho
Ahlawoolia-.also from India-and all hand
woven. The midas run deep and rich in
figures. varied now and then by an occasional
llee4aning toward radimental arabesapc forms.
drawing rooms. The Persian carpets are not
so thick. but are closely woven and very
unlike ' the old Anbu s carpets and are
Of heavier texture. In color the Persians are
aGa sosa
M Mrs TSe o Of rcb hS best psr hat
not been successfully initiated Tho '' small i
figures are finely worked in, and for tracory
surpassed. The border is at once delicate and
rich, growing stronger in tone toward It's outer
work in Oriental carpet weaving may be seen
in h borders; Persian 81; CARPETS are thought
rooms than those from India.
The her prices ice for Indian din and Persian goods
% III worth ss Thase d Sss
T. feet to Is BY % and sell at from 500 to s4o6.
particular, market, but are purchased by trav-
cling ,mddlemen or brought, to the eastern
! can learn, no designs, are furnished the
makers by American or European importers.
nos" VINO weave them seem 10 1OliOW out inc
fancy Of the moment. and it often brings about
very eccentric results. Here is peculiar thing
in India rugs; it is an Ahlawoola and Is un-
varies. both in shade and pattern. in an unac.
countable way. and the fringes are made up OF
mixed and unmiXed threads. The body figures
too, are oddly arranged. as though thrown to-
gether at random; it is pleasing enough as =
whole.
THE styles most looked for are by no means
such as n conservative taste would fully APP
prove. They are made up OF daubs or patches
OF ll sorts OF cOlDrs, seldom contrasting or
harmonizing. and broken up into forms OF no
special significance and no real beauty or af-
feet. They are highly colorcd oddities. and
often look not unlike tho jumbled sweepings Of
a carpet fitting room. Those which are most
irregular in all respects have the call with some
purchasers. Some OF them are very odd in
shape; here. for instance is one of them: