East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-08-16
STORY or THE MAKING OF
THE PERSIAN RUG.

Writing from Harput. Turkey
American Consul Norton tells an in
teresting story of the rug trade in the
province of Azerbaijau, Persia. He
says:
The rug and carpet trade of the
province is of special interest in this
connection. as about nine-tenths of the
product finds its way directly or in
directly to the United States,
The rug industry of Tabriz dates
far back; the products of Its looms are
regarded by many as the most beau
tiful among the many varieties of
Persian rugs There is one large fac
tory in the city, where l found over
1000 lads busily occupied ON. rugs of
all sizes and designs, Many We're re-
producing the old patterns which We're
in vogue over SOC years ago and are
stll admired in both hemispheres.
These lads work with great rapidity,
and earn from $3.50 to $3.25 per
month. The number of operatives in
this one factory is largely increased
in flush times. There are other
smaller factories in Tabriz and in the
lesser towns, while individual looms
are encountered in most of the viii
lagos.
\ few years ago aniline dyes were
extensively used to dye the yarns en-
ployed in making rugs, and the effect
was quickly felt in the decreased de-
mands from abroad. In order to
counteract the evil result the govern
ment very promptly resorted to the
extreme measure of prohibiting the
entry of aniline dyes. The measure
taken in this respect has been fairly
successful, and now but few rugs
show traces of aniline colors.
While thus striving to maintain the
| reputation of the Tabriz rugs at the
place of manufacture, much dissatis-
| faction is expressed by those engaged
| in the trade at the treatment to which
/ the products of Tabriz looms are
| frequently exposed after reaching
! America. In order to meet changing
whims of fashion, certain tints are al
| tered into more popular hues The
| methods of bringing about these
| chromatic changes are of nature
which not only affect original color
schemes. but frequently impair the
permanence of the rug, thus serious
ly injuring the reputation of the
wares.
Three years ago the rug trade was
in an extremely prosperous condition
Toward the close of 1903 the demands
from America reached an unprece-
dented figure, and prices rose rapidly
| i'm consequence. The so-called MO
suls' were trebled in. value, the "Ker'
mans" more than doubled, while the
"Heriz" and "Sultanabad" varieties
showed less marked increases. The
manufacture of all grades of rugs was
largely augmented. and local dealers
laid i'm large stocks at the high quo
tations.
When American purchasers refused
to buy at the new rates, the marke
was enormously overstocked. Price,
fell rapidly to figures in many cases
below those of 1902 Many establish
ments of long standing were ruined
and the whole trade was sduly ueiii'i
: allied.
It is now slowly recovering. Th'
demand from America is increasing
and manufacture is being extended II
a normal and healthful manner. TN
applies. however, more particularly u
, rugs of wool. The silk rugs, for whicl
, Tabriz has long been famous fail Ut
terly to bring remunerauve prices am
the smaller factories have discontih
ued operations, while larger estap
/ lishments produce but tractioh
their former output. silk rugs whici
in 1903 easily found sale at $loo ar
now sold with difficulty for S6O' IN
competition of rug factories at Cease
rea. Konia and other Anatolian cite
is largely the cause of this untortu
nate condition.
The carpets and rugs of wool ex
/ ported in 1908 were valued at $l'oo4'
900. in 1904 at $1,1S1,OOO; silk rugs
s62. 900 in 1903 and $4,000 in l9O4'