The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-04-29
A Rare Collection of Rugs.

From Philadelphia (Pa) Ledger.
1t is striking fact that the highest cul-
ture of the 0ccident still looks towards the
semi-barbaric Orient for all that is best in
some departments of decorative and indus
trial arts. This is slrikiDgly illustrated in
the superb collection of antique oriental
rugs, carpets. temple hangings, embroider
les, scarfs, table covers and bed-spreads now
on exhibition at the salesrooms of NJ.
Thomas & Sons, this city.
At every step the eye is charmed by the
rich eolors and lovely designs of the East,
designs in some instances thought to be
thousands of years old, and unsurpassed
by any modern invention. The collection
is in some respects unique, including some
rare and curious products of Persia, China
and other distant countries, where, it is
said, some of those now about to be sold
were used as adornments in mosques and
pagan temples, or served as furnishings in
imperial palaces and harems. The floor
and walls are covered with beautiful Sumak,
Bokhara, Yourook, Sirak, Shirvan, Chi
ordes, Dagheston, Carabagh, Kayak and
other specimens of antique rugs and carpets.
The most remarkable rug in the collec-
ton, perhaps, is one only IL by 6-2, which
is valued at $4,000. 1t is an antique Per
sian silk rug, with asoft silky nap. 1t has
a mosque design, on white ground, too
lovely for the daintiest foot to tread on.
The upper end of the white centre is adorn-
ed with two pillars of light and dark blue,
supporting arches of red and white color.
Beneath the pillars is an elaborate inscrip-
ton from the Koran in white lettering, on
IA dark blue ground Between the pillars
stand two tall roses, and without the pillars,
on either side, is a conventional flower, in
yellow, red, dark blue and green coloring.
Spreading over the middle of the white
centre space is conventionalized tree, in
lovely shades of soft green, the trunk
rising from a vase of brilliant color, which
stands between TWO other vases, out of
which rise group of red flowers, sugges-
tive of roses. The border of this lovely
rug is dark rich blending of purple, gold,
white aud green. 1t is believed to be hun
dreds of years old, but is in remarkable
state of preservation, and is truly work OF
art.
Among the larger carpets is superb
antique Persian carpet With rare red CEN
tire. The is a fine specimen of Toskhan
design. The light falling upon it produces
beautiful changes of color. The centre,
consisting of various diamond shaped
desigps, has border of blue, pink and
cream coloring 1t is said to be more than
200 years, old, and is valued at $3.50.
An antique Chinese carpet, Sill by 1871,
which is said to be 700 or 800 years old,
and to have been used in some of the I'M
perial houses of China, is valued at S2250.
1t has yellow centre divided into squares,
in each of which the same design Of sacred
birds is repeated. The border is pink and
yellow.
Another odd design is that of an Ispahan
carpet, with dark brown ground and a
border of terra Gotta and blue. The "Tree
of Life" is repeated in terra Gotta and dark
blue. The effect is rich and unusual, the
material used in making the rug being
camels hair, soft and sikh to the touch.
The rug is S-10x12-7, and is valued at
$500.
One gen, among the smaller sized rugs
is Ladik, with blue and cream centre,
and border of red and gold. Among the
hall rugs one Of the most attractive Is an
antique, of camel's hair, with cream and
camel centre, and camel and blue border
1t is 3-3 by 2O-5, and is valued at about
$500. Besides these there are many rugs
of cheaper grades, though all strike one as
more or less beautiful, any one of which
would form an aesthetic addition to the
furnishings of almost any room.