The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-27


ing to the reader. Moreover. it is likely
to be the only occupant of that field for
some time to come for persons who really
know anything about Oriental rugs, their
manufacture, designs, value. and crea-
tors, are extremely few. and most of those
who have studied the subject are not in
clined to write about 1t. their business be-
ing apart from literature. Moreover, the
topic is not one which can be mastered
or even adequately treated in any of its
phases, without more research, time. and
money than any mere hack writer can
spare for 1t. The present work is mani
testify the result of many years of labor,
and genuine interest in the subject for its
3wn sake. Another reason why it is likely
20 be the only book on Oriental rugs for
some years is that Mr. Mumford has been
SO thorough in his work that nobody else
could attempt anything like 1t without the
danger of being accused OF plagiarism.
Two paragraphs of the preface indicate
with sufficient clearness the general diff
culties which beset the writer, and the en-
thusiasm which led him to conquer them.
He says:
The maker of books of this sort is, after all,
only weaver. The sum of what he can accom-
plish is TO produce fabric sound, thorough IN
color. II it shall prove serviceable, survive the
effects Of wear and time, and perform throughout
its term of endurance some office of esthetic
qualification well, that Is about all the weaver
can hope for. His first concern, it would seem,
Is firm foundation. The warp and welt of fact
are paramount. These the writer has sought
assiduousy, wherever they were to be found. in
GLIDING. naturally, the mysterious contradictory
East. II Is only in the Orient. where these rugs
are born-thzt Orient which does not know itself
or its neighbor, scarcely its resplendent past and
p1y ftftffr hat
understand how complex, how 'Tterlaced, how
confused and confusing is the subject which
the writer has here attempted to systematic
and present in comprehensive form. Only there
docs one see clearly why the labor was not
undertaken long ago.
Ont of the year. spent in the work little time
has bteL devoted to the fsnciful imaginative
side OF the subject. Its poesy and romance
have been in measure accepted corollaries,
assumed as among the reasons for the book S
existence and therefore, perhaps, neglected in the
presentation To those who nave already come
under the spell of the. Eastern weayings this
Will not be felt lack What OF color has
been distributed through these pages is Of more
moment TO those who are still cropping in the
dark belief that rugs are-merely rugs. II too
little of tngent has been employed, ii is because
the fabrics themselvs; properly understood, pro-
larry or any thesaurus OF poetic imagery. II foun-
dation shall have been here laid for that under
standing, the work will nave been well done,
and the worker will be content.
apologize for not having given more space
to the poetic aspect of his subject. He
has felt the poetry of 1t, and it permeates
the book. He is like the geological pro-
fessor of college tradition who was so i'm
bued with the passion of the true student
for knowledge in itself that he could not
say "old red sandstone" without thrill.
The subject is in itself so instinct with
tradition and so full of the unwritten
story OF the human race that the romance
cannot be kept out of 1t.
The practical value of this work is, of
course. almost incalculable. Until II ap-
peared, the would-be connoisseur in rugs
could have no guide except his own COM
mon sense and dearly bought experience.
Now, thanks to the careful explanations
of Mr.. Mumford and the exquisite illustra-
lions with which the book abounds. those
who own rugs can find added delight in
their study. and those who do not will
nevertheless enjoy, as lovers of art, the
knowledge of the laws Of their beauty.
What is more, there is a very good chance
that the publication of a work whose
study will lead to greater discrimination
In the buying of rugs. may result in the
preservation. of an art almost prehistoric
from the desecration of the cheap modern
imitator.
The first chapters deal with the history
OF rugs and rug making; with the people
who make them. and the materials of
which they are made; with the designing
and the methods of dyeing and weaving.
Then come the classification of the rugs,
and the discussion of Caucasian, Turkish.
Persian, Turkoman, Khilims, and Indian
rugs, each in a separate chapter. Besides
the Illustrations, there are maps of the
rug-producing countries, which serve still
further to explain the text. In short,
nothing apparently. has been forgotten
wnicn could add to the interest or value of
the work There are twenty-four colored
plates and artotypes showing examples of
various styles Of art, this and eight pic
lures showing the life and methods Of the
workers.
The fascination Of the book begins in the
first chapter, and the authors sense of
humor IS also therein evident He begins,
very astutely, with an anecdote exposing
the peculiar ways that are dark and
tricks that are vain" which the Oriental
rug-dealer has in common with the Mon
golian. The story is a sort Of relish to
whet ones appetite for the feast to come,
and it is therefore to be quoted:
The writer saw among five hundred fabrics in
q New York establishment dark, stout rug,
perhaps Ave feet by ten. The betezzed Oriental
who was in charge urged its purchase.
1T is fine rug, that" he said, "a very
rare variety"
''of what variety is it7''
That he responded with impressive gravity,
ais a Lule."
s "Ahi A Lule. And from what does the name
Conner
From the old city of Lule in Persia" he an
swered; ".ny father born there; 1t is fine
OLD town 4
1t WAS plain he going on TO tell the thread
bare narrative, venerable as the city of Lule.
and as fictitious, Of how this particular bit OF
carpet more than century old-was, in
fat, heirloom In his family; Of how his father
had died Just after bringing it all the way TO
this country, and it could be had for the
wretched sum Of $50. because its associations
made him sad.
As matter Of fact the name 'IuIe'' 1. =
corruption OF the French rOulez and is given by
leysntine dealers, whose business is largely
transacted in Gallo, 10 q class OF carpets so
thick, tightly woven, that they cannot be
folded. but must of necessity be rolled up for
shipment.
But the part Of this snecdote most germane
perhaps, to the present discussion is that the
rug Was not in the least = ''Lule," but a some
what down-st heel Kurdish product from the
sand-hll districts Of Aosul.
The author then goes on to explain that
the rug-making industry. Ike many others
nowadays, is suffering more or less from
the Introduction of machinery and imita-
tons and the demand for many more
rugs than were formerly supplied by the
Oriental workmen. This condition of
things gives rise TO haste and carelessness,
the confusion OF patterns, the deteriora-
ton of dyes and adulteratIon of materials
and many more evils, and Mr. Mumford