Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-21
HISTORIC CARPETS
ONE THAT WAS WOVEN CENTU-
RIES AGO IN THE FAR EAST.
Owned by the Girdlers of London
Made at Akbar's Factory
at Lahore.

From the London Telegraph.
Wilton like Worcester. will have cause
to remember gratefully the coronation
year, in the matter of encouragement 10
the carpet weaving industry. From the
chief factory of the quiet little town IN
Wiltshire. whose chief annual excitement
is its sheep fair, the Worshipful Company
of Goldsmiths have recently ordered three
carpets for their beautiful hall in Foster
Lane. which will certainly take rank
among the finest examples of the craft
turned out in recent days. The carpets
which these are to replace were laid down
as far back as 1895. and sixty-seven years
of constant use might well take off their
spftness and color.
Design Retained.
The design, however, of the old ones has
been exactly reproduced, and in carrying
out the elaborate shading no fewer than
forty-siX different tints have been en-
ployed. The largest of the carpets is In
tended for the court drawing room, and
measures 10 feet inches by 70 feet u
inches. Covering a space in the center OF
10 feet by 8 feet are the arms of the COM
pany, surmounted by the crest or a inquire
holding the scales of assay all being pre-
scented in their correct heraldic coloring OF
blue, green. red and purple. upon white
ground. Between this and the border the
design is a small one, carried out in two
shades of rich deep crimson. while, sur
rounding all. are festoons of shaded roses,
of early Georgian character. with medal
lions in each corner. Eleven weavers have
been engaged upon the work for upward
of four months, and it is scarcely neces-
sary to say that all has been done by hand
Millions of Knots.
It is estimated that 100000 knots have
haa IN, flo hioh iS
usually soft and deep. Almost as many
knots have been employed in the second
carpet which is 81 feet 8 inches long by %
feet inches, while the third measures 30
feet inches by % feet inches The CEN
ter of these is similar to that of the prin-
cipal one, in crimson shading, but the coat
of arms is omitted, and the bordering is OF
scroll device. in shades of gold and brown.
1t is well known that many of the city
companies possess some distinctive treasure,
and the Holbein picture of the Barber-Sur
geons, the tapestries of the Diapers, and
the plate of the ArmorerS and Brasers are
celebrated. But perhaps the most unique
possession is that of the Girdlers, who own
certainly the most historic and valuable
carpet in the city, and. indeed, in the world.
Carpets From Orient.
Exactly three centuries ago that fine old
seadog. James Lancaster, was laying the
foundations of British supremacy in India
in command of the little squadron that
sailed forth for the governor and COM
panic of Uncertainties of London trading
into the East Indies" One of the directors
was a certain Robert Bell. who, in 1884, be-
came master of the company. 1t is not too
much to suppose that he was fully aware of
the fame of eastern rugs. for proclama-
ton of Charles | specially referred to the
rich carpets of Persia and Camboya" as
being among the imports we We're receiving.
In any case, the worthy merchant must
have sent a special order for of them,
for in the earliest minute book of the COM
pany 1t is recorded that such a carpet was
made at the royal factory founded by Ak
bar the Great at Lahore.
The measurements and design Were OBJ
viously most carefully supplied, for in the
center Of the carpet. which is eight yards
long and two and a half yards wide, are
the company'S crest and arms, showing St.
Lawrence on the gridirOn. holding the Bible
in one hand and the emblem of his martyr
dom in the other, with the motto, Give
thanks to God" At a little distance right
and left are the masters arms, and
introduced into the design are representa-
ton of two bales of merchandise. on which
are his initials and trademarks. On the
expiration of his term of office this entry
this Court, Mr.. Robert Bell did present a
very fare, long Turkey carpitt with the
Companys Arms thereon. which he freely
gave to the use of this company as a re-
membrance of his love"