Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-16
CARE OF ORIENTAL RUGS
MILK BATHS DO THEM GOOD;
NEED WATERING ALSO.
Points to Be Observed in Buying Them
Harmony in Furnish
ings.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
There are few things about house that
in a quiet way have more influence upon
our humor than floor coverings. We often
do not notice them directly but neverthe-
less they have an influence upon ones sub
conscious self which is undeniable.
The rugs which cover our floors give the
fundamental note to the scheme of our
rooms. If they are of suitable color and
strikingly arranged they give to the room
a certain feeling of comfort which is es-
sential to the well decorated home; but if
they are not, they destroy the whole effect
of what may be otherwise well-appointed
apartment. Frequently we do not realize
that the reason room gives US a cold I'M
comfortable feeling is that it's rugs are out
of keeping with the scheme of decoration.
A rug must satisfy not merely our sense
of sight, like a wall paper or picture, but
also our sense of touch because we are
constantly feeling it with our feet and
comfort must therefore be considered from
this point of view. Too much care cannot
be exercised in the selection of floor cover
ings
Experience is the best teacher and much
of it can be obtained in buying oriental
rugs, but there are many people who buy
a rug because its appearance appeals to
them, and they feel sure it will go well with
the scheme of the room they are choosing
1t for. More than this is required, however
See That 1t is Sound
The rug should be examined carefully.
Look at the back of it and see that it has
not been cut. About one third of the antique
rugs will show signs of rents and tears
often made by the graphing hooks as the
bales shipped and reshipped If these
are small, skillful repairer will easily
mend the defect.
Hold the rug up to the light to make sure
nc hn NOT to-, : f.,xr I. a
on the floor and make sure that ii lies
straight. Also look at the nap and see that
it is not worn to the warp
The most important thing to remember
is to examine the sewage If this Is worn
away the rug is not of nearly so much
value. Its usefulness can, however, be
preserved by overcasting to hinder 1t from
fraying. Never buy a rug when 1t is so
much worn that part of the rug itself is
missing at the ends.
These points being kept well in mind
there is rich store to choose from-rugs
from Persia, Turkey, Asia Minor Turkes-
tan, the southern part of Russia Afghan
istan, Beluchistan and few from India
The most expensive and beautiful rugs
are Persian and they come to this country
in great quantities Kirmans, Sehnas
Kurdistans Khorassans, Serabends and
Feraghans are the best kinds Then there
are the Anatolian rugs from Turkey; quite
a variety come under this head from Asia
Minor
The Bokharas.
The Bokhara rugs come from Turkestan
and some from Afghanistan. Several kinds
of rugs, namely, Kabistans. Shruans.
Chichis. Darbends. Karabaghs KAYAKS.
Gengias Soumacs, or Cashmeres come from
Caucasia in Russia. From India we get
the large rugs. but they are mostly
modern, and many machine-made rugs.
copies from Persians, are also sent from
India.
The most desirable and original rugs are
the Persians. They made very care
fully by hand on looms of primitive con-
struction, the only tools used being a pair
of shears, a comb and a mallet No
changes have been made In the mode of
weaving or In the pattern used The
orientals have not the same craze for now
city that possesses the western people and
much OF their success in rug making Is due
to this fact. There Is much individuality