Amador ledger., 1902-01-03
THE RUG DESIGNERS
PATTERNS DESCEND FROM PARENT
TO CHILD IN THE ORIENT.

Reasons Why Animal Figures Are
Rarely Seen on Persian Rugs.
Prayer Rugs of the Mohammedans
and Their Use-The Rugs of Sivas.
The designs of eastern rugs are often
the spontaneous outcome Of the fancy
of the weaver. Sometimes they are
handed down from one generation to
another In some cases young girls are
taught the design by an adult, who
marks it in the sand. AT other times a
drawing of the rug is made on paper,
the instructor showing her pupils the
color to be used. When all this has
been done, the pupils must make the
rug without looking at the drawing.
Persian rugs excel those Of other
countries in artistic design as well as
in harmonious coloring. The Persians
seem to have a natural intuition in the
use and blending Of different shades,
and in the designs that contain these
certain colors they achieve the happiest
results. 1t is really wonderful what
exquisite fabrics these people, born
and reared in ignorance and poverty,
produce.
The designs in Persian rugs are gen.
orally floral, and in some districts, es-
pecially Ears, the women weavers in
vent the designs, varying them every
two or three years. The Mohammedan
religion does not allow any direct rep
resentation of animal forms, conse-
Quently rugs woven under its influence
take floral. geometric and vegetable
forms. The Shah sect of Moslems,
however. numbering about 100000,
of whom 100000 are Persians, do not
regard representations of animals as
unlawful. By the industry of this sect
and that of infidels and of all who dis
regard the law of the Koran animal
forms are seen on some Persian rugs.
The prayer rug was evidently invent
ed for the purpose of providing the
worshipers with one absolutely clean
place on which to offer prayers. 1t is
not lawful for Moslem to pray on any
place not perfectly clean, and unless
each one has his own special rug he Is
not certain that the spot has not been
polluted. With regard to the purity of
the place of prayer Mohammedans are
specially careful when making their
pilgrimages, the rugs which they take
with them having been preserved from
pollution by being rolled up until the
journey Is begun or until the hour for
prayer arrives. 1t does not matter to
unclean rug that is on the floor may
be, because over it they place the pray
er rug when their devotions begin.
The Turkish rugs made at Sivas are
always woven of wool, and almost ev-
cry hamlet carries on the industry of
weaving in the homes. There are no
factories, the young girls and women
doing the work here as in other parts
of Turkey. Sivas rugs are in most
cases small, measuring about eight by
four feet, but in these years larger and
more attractive rugs are being made.
Even the poorest families have fine
rugs, for they regard them as valuable
property, to be sold only under the
pressure of great extremity. The weav-
ers are so frugal in their manner of
living that their daily earning of 15 to
10 cents is sufficient to supply their
wants. Their food consists usually of
rice and crushed wheat, with occasion
ally a small piece Of mutton.
Smyrna is only a mart for the sale
~ inf hot
made in the interior from the coarse
hair of the Angora goat. These are
woven in irregular designs and, al
though not artistic, are largely sought
as coverings for the bare floors and to
add warmth. The weaving of these
rugs is crudely done by girls and wo-
men. Sometimes the loom is primitive
ly constructed from the trunks of trees.
The designs are very simple and have
either been handed down from earlier
generations or are supplied from the
city.
Yuruk rugs are so called from band
Of nomads who dwell among the noun
tains of Anatolia. They have large
flocks of fine Sheep and weave rugs of
firm, even texture. The colors are very
good, the field often of dark brown. or
namented with large designs.
About 200 years ago small embroider-
ed rugs were largely made in Persia,
chiefly at Ispahan. These were prayer
rugs, and on each of them. near one
end, was a small embroidered mark to
show where the bit of sacred earth
from Mecca was to be placed In obe
dience to.a law of the Koran that the
head must be bowed to the ground in
prayer this was touched by the fore
head when the presentation was made,
and so the letter of the law was carried
out. The custom prevails. The Persian
women who weave the finest prayer
rugs seldom weave any other kind Of
rug.-"Rugs, Oriental and Occidental"
His Error.
Consumer-I say, what kind of a
cigar do you call this? It's the worst
tobacco I ever tasted