The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-25
SOME WONDERFUL CARPETS.
New and Old Specimens Owned by
London City Companies, or Making
to Their Order.
From the London Telegraph.

Aohuoh Clty companies, or making
to Their Order.
From the London Telegraph.
Wilton. like Worcester will have
cause to remember gratefully the cor
onation year, in the matter of encour-
agement TO the carpet weaving indus
try. The latter city, as is now gem
orally known. has been called upon to
furnish the rich and splendid floor
covering of fine mohair which will be
used in Westminster Abbey at the
great ceremony itself. From the chief
factory of the quiet little town in
wiltshire, whose chief annual excite
n1ent is its sheep fair, the Worship
ful Company of Goldsmiths have re-
Gently ordered three carpets for their
beautiful hall in Foster Lane, which
viii certainly take rank among the
finest examples of the craft turned out
in recent days. The carpets which
these are to replace were Had down as
far back as 1885, and sixty-seven
years of constant use might well take
off their Softness and color The design.
however, of the old ones has been ex-
actly 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
and measures 40 feet 2 inches by 20
feet inches. Covering a space in
the center Of 10 feet by feet are the
the arms of the company, surmounted
by the crest of a. figure holding the
scales of assay, all being presented in
their correct. heraldic coloring of blue,
green, red, and purple, upon a white
ground Between this and the border
the design is small one, carried out
in two shades of rich deep crimson,
while, surrounding all, are festoons of
shaded roses, of early Georgian char
acter, with medallions in each corner.
Eleven weavers have been engaged
upon the work for upward OF four
months, and 1t is scarcely necessary
to say that all has been done by hand.
1t is estimated that s, 500 900 knots have
been used in setting the pile, which
as many knots have been employed in
is unusually soft and deep. Almost
the second carpet, which is 81 feet 8
inches long by 20 feet inches. while
the third measures SO feet 4 inches by
% feet inches. The center of these
is similar to that of the principal 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 distinc-
tive treasure, and the Holbein picture
of the Barber-S Surgeons, the tapestries
of the Diapers. and the plate of the
Armorers and Brasers are celebrated.
But perhaps the most unique possess
sion is that of the Girdlers, who own
certainly the most historic and vaIua-
BILE CARPET in the city, and indeed In
the world. 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 Companie of Mer-
chauntes Of London trading into the
East Indies" One of the directors was
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 a proclamation of Charles I spe-
cially referred to the "rich carpets of
Persia and Camboya" as being among
the imports we were receiving In any
case the worthy book of the company
it is recorded that such a carpet was
made at the royal factory founded by
Akbar the Great at Lahore. The meas
urenents and design were obviously
most carefully supplied. for in the cen
ter of the carpet, which is eight yards
long and two and a half yards wide
are the companys crest and arms.
showing st. Lawrence on the gridiron,
holding the Bible In one hand and the
emblem of his martyrdom in the other,
with the motto, Give thanks to God"
At little distance right and left are
the masters own arms and introduced
into the design are representation Of
two bales Of merchandise. on which are
mis- initials and trademarks. on the
expiration Of his term Of Office this en-
try occurs in the companv's books:
Also. At this court, Mr.. Robert Bell
did present a very faire. long Turkey
carpitt with the Company's Arms
thereon. which he freely gave 70 the
use Of this company as a remembrance
OF bis love"
The gift was evidently a treasured
one. for az the time Of the great ERE,
when the hall was destroyed. n was
carefully saved. but after that II fell
upon evil days. and Was used ~ though
n had no greater value than a biz ~
machine made druggef. About cou-
pie ~ years ago II occurred - some
members ~ the court 90 examine n
and 10 obtain expert advice about g.
This was readily given BY two such
weii-known nufh0riiies as MF ~ John
Hone ~ fhe society ~ hntlQuafles ana
Mr FurNpn CLARKE ~ me South en.
aluRfou Kueeup. ~ which if WA re-
moved for fhorouFh cleaning aua ffn-
f5Eafl0n under hta onn uarHouet furefr