Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-19

poctical eastern stuns, and paid nearly as
much for a rug-or $4,000. Pliny tells us
OF Babylonian tapestries figured with
plants and animals. the sphinx. grifiins,
and dragons, for which prices varying
from 5000 to 10000 sesterces were paid,
but this probably is nothing to what the
modern millionaire pays for a bit OF COW
ering for his floor. unless the sesterce Is
more than the present scribe imagines,
and she IS obliged to confess TO total ig-
norance on this point.
The mode of manufacture is the same
for each; the essential difference is In the
style Of the pattern, the Turkish being
the more arabesque. AS no two Ionic
capitals OF Greek workmanship, even In
the same temple. were alike In anything
but general size and character. so In the
Turkish rug the same pattern Is never
again exactly reproduced The Persian
rugs. more often than not. have their
patterns, which are as a rule geometrical
figures, defined clearly on both SIDES. ana
are woven quite smooth.
Feraeham, Herman, Kurdistan, and
Khorassan are the four chief places In
Persia for the manufacture OF carpets or
rugs The Heratl pattern Is common
one for the Khorassan carpets; II Is the
favorite eight-polnted star enlarged and
repeated over the whole
Turkish rugs, show fiye-leaved roses and
curling tendrls; the borders I'm many
cases have traces of Arabian ornamental
writing. the popularity of the patterns
being accounted for by the theory that
the carpets represent inlaid jewelled
work. which accords with the Oriental
delight in gems and precious stones.
The many mistakes in the matching OF
colors. which on careful scrutiny are often
apparent, is said to be due 10 the fact
that the weaver, while working with GER
tain wool. IL IT runs short, replaces 1t
with another as near like il as possible.
without taking the trouble or the delay TO
get the exact shade.
There is a special reason also for the
softness Of tint noticeable IN the eastern
woods; this Is caused by their being dyed
in their naturally greasy state, 50 that
a soft, oily lustre permeates all the
colors. For the same reason white al
ways has a yellowish-gray appearance.
But in many instances the dim colors
are due to the fact that they are actually
dirty.
Many Of the most magnificent examples
OF eastern carpets have found their way
to New York. and are owned by the
little brothers and sisters Of the rich.
Khorassan court-carpet, for which some
thing like $4,000 was paid. 1t is a large
carpet, about % feet long py II feet wide.
The background is a dark blue the de-
sign being carried out in soft shades OF
gold, blue, cream, and old-red, with
border of gold, covered with medallions
Of rich blue. An Interesting point in con-
nection with this rug is that on each end
the seal OF the maker has been woven in
a small blue panel The carpet was origi-
nally made by the royal weavers for the
imperial Persian court.
A Khorassan which is part OF the fur
nishing OF a Madlson-avenuc mansion
was also once the property OF a Shah
of Persia, and the choice particular star
Of my lady's boudoir is an Indian
princass's petticoat, used as drapery.
Pettlcoats, prayer-rugs, and saddle
bags, II eastern. and antique and costly,
are the choicest of drapery for ones bou-
DOR or morning-room.