New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-05
AND BLENDINGs.

The increase in demand for Oriental rugs an
tque and modern. in the last quarter OF a century
is almost beyond comprehension, and there Is
hardly well regulated household which does not
pride itself in the possession OF ar least rug
Of antique make.
1t has been thought probable that the smooth
turf. with the flowers that adorn IL suggested
the of a carpet: but If this is modern
designs have strayed far away from the original
models
I'VE find" said a salesman yesterday. that in
texture and design the preference is given by es-
tablished authorities to the carpets of Turkey and
Persia, which are pronounced pleasant alike TO the
eye and to the feet.
The most priced of all antique rugs the
original Daghestan. which have long been used by
the Persians for devotional purposes. Many have
been handed down from generation to generation
until they have been treasured as heirlooms, fire.
quently for a century or more before finally pass
ing into the hands of the travelling carpet buyers
Of the Baku and Tifis houses.
TT is a well known fact that the various
pets rugs take their names from the districts
which they made. and they 1t is
sometimes enormously stated. made in factories
but among the various families OF the district
They work under sheds: while in India a great
deal of the work is done in prisons by the prison
"Carabagh rugs are made in the Caucasus, but
the finest from this quarter the Kssak. These
noted for thickness and silky lustre, and for
soft and delicate shades. The carpets from the
Caucasus are never large, they have no looms
wider than feet.
The Ushak rugs, from Asia Minor. the most
favored in Europe especially in England, while the
genuine Turkish carpets seldom leave their own
country The majority of those imported generally
come from Smyrna, while quantities made in
various parts of Roumelia, each place having its
distinctive pattern and texture These however
inferior TO those of Smyrna, though bright and
pretty, with color and patterns well narmoniZed.
! I'm one OF the mosques at Salonlca, which was
originally old hea hen temple before the Chris
tian era the mosaics still IT excellent order,
and there is 8 marvellous resemblance in some or
carpets, and IL is possible that old mosaics form
the originals of the carpet patterns much
admire In Persia and India the warp or chain
IS of cotton, while in Turkey the chain and shoot
are all wool
IN Persia the nomad tribes all more or less have
carpets, and in weaving they COM
| phcated machinery. All their carpets hand
The looms clumsy. consisting of horizontal
stakes poles dashed 20 two substantial uprights.
form the foundation OF the carpet are stretched
and the worsted pile is knotted in a few threads
al time while each row is hammered down with
There is one important fact to be noticed. and
/ as we Go-as mere hoor covering 10 be trCdden
upon They consider 1t a luxurious lounge to rest
and sit upon. The Persian never crosses or stands
upon his carpet In his shoes, but always uncovers
his feet and it is from this circumstance doubt
that ancient carpets. ernbodying years of artistic
work and skill remain in such beautiful condition
Of preservation after having been used in the harem
or mosque for whole series Of generations"
! Notwithstanding this care, the bales when they
reach this country frequently contain rugs in bad
shape, some badly torn others moth eaten, and
these are now repaired by rug members who are
industry which has lately sprung up In this coun-
$40 ne N oa me n1e1oer Is oLIen
which have been rendered as varying as moonlight
by the smooth babouches sandals of the Oriental,
softened the blues into tints that would battle one
20 designate, while reds and green's have become