The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-18
CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT RUGS.
Strange Twists Of the Oriental Fancy
Textile Art.

The exhibition of rugs opened yesterday by
the Costikyan Brothers. at 1,219 Front street, un-
der the Arlington hotel, was well attended In
spite OF the bad weather. Those who came were
more than delighted with what they saw. Two
high partitions divided the big storeroom into
three apartments. all well lighted. The sides,
from the ceiling to the floor, were hung with big
rugs, while rows and rows of chairs were COW
cred with smaller ones On the floor were
spread rugs of all sizes and every color, in the
corners and on counters were high stacks of
rugs and the supporting pillars were covered
with bright tapestries.
The exhibition was remarkably large and re-
markabiy fine. Those fortunate enough to talk
with Mr. Siragan g. Costikyan can learn many
curious and interesting facts not known to the
general public ait is strange" said he sthat
no comprehensive book on Oriental rugs has
ever been written. The textile art of other ma
lions has been handled, but although enough to
make good volume might be said about rugs,
no one TO undertake the task has yet been
found"
In one OF the front windows of the store is
beautiful knrdistan rug, very large--a specimen
OF seventeenth century work THAT" said Mr.
Costikyan. "was made for Persian palace
These kurdistan rugs distinguished for
their tine texture and for their delicate patterns
Ia making these fine designs, in which the color
is changed at nearly every stitch, almost as
much labor is expended in three or four square
inches as in a square foot OF 4 rug with bigger
i3ttefu- iutse rugs nave nigh value In art,
Just as the paintings of the old masters. and you
will see art collections where a rug of great
artistic merit OF historic association is hung
next famous picture. tonnoisseurs pay hun
dreds OF pounds for rare rugs, and know of
fl,ioo or Eco, being given for small kurdis-
tan.
''of the 5000 rugs have imported, we have
had but one other OF the kind Ms fine and large
as this IN the window. That one. the mate to
this, was bought by Mrs. Potter Palmer, OF Chi
cago
Another Kurdistan had fine palm leaf de.
sign on ground of intense blue -enother an
tique. In showing the pattern Mr. Costikyan
said: These kurdistan designs rank in rug
making as the exquisite pictures OF MISSIONER
among paintings.
famous make almost equal to the knrdistan in
texture. The body of these rugs is OF a rich
dark-red. The designs. however. are similar:
but eonnoisseurs look for interesting variations
liz the borders,
No one with an eve for color could fail tn
notice the Yeordex rugs, which are very soft in
texture, with soir tluts ia large designs and
lighter coiors than are usually seen in Oriental
fabrics. This one. said Mr. Costikysn. has
the white part made Of linen. by which we
know that Il was woven in the seventeenth CEN
fury. During that century few Yeordez rugs
mostly OF goats hair, had linen woven in To
form the white. Every now and then we come
across one OF these pieces, and it's date is easily
ascertainahls.
~ few Bokhsrs rugs also have this pecu,i.
arity. The hrst ever saw was at san Francisco,
where ii was owned by woman who bought il
cheapiy OF a dealer who was ignorant OF its
rarity and value She has since refused $500 for
il"
Hsngine on one OF the walls is very large
Ieordez carpet. with blues, yellows and olives
msryeioasis blended to harmonic with red
border, THAT Was made 10 order for a pasha,i
explained the dealer The design is original: