Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-03-18
A SYRIAN MERCHANT.
The Costly Fabrics Manufactured at Zouk
MekaiI, SYRIA.

MekaD, SYRIA.
Among the many novelties and curios
to be found at the exposition there is
perhaps nothing more unique, or at the
same time less calculated to attract the
attention of careless visitor, than an
antique hand-loom; and no richer
fabrics can be found than the products
of that simple wooden loom-oriental
tissues, woven in all the brilliant hues of
veritable Tyrian dyes, with informing led
threads of silver and gold; fabrics that
might outlast lifetime, dyes that never
fade.
But these priceless goods are jealousy
hidden away from the gaze of the multi
tude, and very few visitors at the expo
sition dream of their existence. Pass
ing along the aisle, at the first glance
we see only one of the too numerous
Turkish stands, with the usual assort-
ment of necklaces and bracelets. OF
highly-scented rosewood or amber beads,
mother of-pearls initials mounted as
pins or cuff-buttons, silvery-toned
call-bells, carved wood from Mount
Lebanon, etc. The sign-board,
pride of Damascus, catching the
eve, curiosity is perhaps ex-
cited. and looking around we note divers
Turkish garments, with curious designs
wrought in the scarlet fabric. A grave
and stolid Turk. seated at a clumsy-look-
ing wooden loom. is busily passing back
and forth numerous little shuttles. car
rving tiny bobbins filed with many-hued
silks, and gold and silver strands.
Watching the weaver as he deity ex-
changes one shuttle for another. we see
the colors shape themselves into quaint
and intricate designs with geomefric ac-
curacy, though no pattern is visible to
guide him in his work. He pays no heed
to the observer, who has evidently no
motive other than that of idle curiosity
But show an intelligent interest in his
work: put a few well-directed questions.
and his countenance is quickly lighted
up with all the pride of Damascus, and
in odd, broken English he will tell you
an interesting tale.
The rude loom on which he works is
an heirloom, handed down from father
to son for generations back-a thousand
wears, he SAYS; the brilliant hues of his
silks are DIVES, the secret of which has
been held in his own family for ages;
every ounce of silk has been tested for
months and boiled until it is
made evident that no change of hue is
possible The gold and silver
threads are pure foil, wrapped on
soft. UNFINISHED silk floss. The
loom, the dyes, the designs. the
methods, the materials, have all de-
Scended, unaltered, unchanged, from
father to son, for hundreds of years
Folded away in fine tissue paper are
curtains, table-spreads, patterns for
backs of chairs and sofas, etc., which
are not even offered for sale, so great is
their value. He says with pride that
only the ladies OF the harem in his own
country. the wives of the Caliphs, can
own such treasures. One spread, which
will ultimately rest in some European
museum of antiques, showing the same
curious designs and the same glowing
tints. though bearing evident marks of
long usage, is over seven hundred years
old, and is valued anywhere between
one and two thousand dollars.
In striking contrast with these regal
fabrics, stiff and heavy with the inter-
woven mass of gold and silver threads.
are sheer gossamer-like muslin handker-
chiefs and scarfs, embroidered by hand
by the women of his family, in micros-
scopic t;tcfres, with the finest silk IN
most delicate hues, which neither time
nor wear will ever fade. Twenty dol
lars is the value placed on one of these
bits of filmy gauze, but they are not Of
fered for sale Among the other treas
ures hidden behind this modest Turkish
stand we also saw genuine Cachemire
shawls. The dusk of twilight prevented
the opening of other boxes, which doubt
less concealed equally valuable art icles,
rich fabrics and rare curiosities.-N. o.
Times Democrat.