The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-08-09
ABOUT ANTIQUE" RUGS.
MOST OF THEM NE ", BUT MADE
 TO LOON OLD.
When Properly Treated the Process In- creases the Value of n Rug-CottOn and WOoIen Warps-Care of Fine Rugs--Give Them Rest--Cleaning.

to be procured-if you are Wiling to pay the price; but most of the so- called antiques have had merely the first glare of newness rubbed off and less than ten years have passed since the wool left tue backs of the sheep, says a writer in Country Life In Amer ica. This is effected by process of washing.
 A friend said to me the other day, with horror in his voice;
 You don't mean to tell me that you would actually advise people to buy washed rugs?''
 My answer was promptly, Yes.
 First and foremost comes the fact that the colors of unwashed modern rugs are too crude and the contrasts too violent for Occidental taste. American architects and decorators in sist on soft tones, elusive hormonies and subtle gradations. These are qualities that many antique Oriental rugs possess pre-eminently.
 Unfortunately, the price of small an- tiques is exceedingly high. while that of large antiques is prohibitive. This is the cause of the attempt to finish modern rugs in antique tones
 The first washing done in Constanti- nople was of the toughest kind, The rug was plastered with a mixture of mud, lime and sulphuric acid and then rolled up until the mordants did their work.
 The desired effect was quickly gained and for a time some buyers were de- lighted at the number of large an- tiques on the market. Before long, however, it was discovered that the process left to the rug only a few months of life and many dealers had the doubtful pleasure of dedeeming spoiled rugs,
 This put a quietus on rug washing temporarily and would probably have ended it forever if the American de- mand had not continued insistent American buyers came to Constantino- pie with instructions to purchase an tiques at any cost, and, if necessary, to go into the interior-where most of them are about as helpless as South sea Islander on the Bowery-and this not through any fault of their own, but because the Oriental has ways of doing business that are distinctly un- American.
 What part these American buyers took in putting rug washing on a pro- per basis Is difficult to say. Several of those most actively concerned never mention washed rugs except in whis- per, while others say that they have merely followed the example of the pi- .oneers.
 Be that as it may, to-day rug wash ing is flourishing industry in New York as well as in Constantinople and in Persia, and of the vegetable dyed rugs sold in this city practically all of the larger ones and fifty per cent. of the smallelr ones have been washed milne dyed rugs are seldom washed be- cause no method has been discovered to "antiquate" them successfully.
 Aniline dyes do not grow old grace fully and the consistent opinion of ex- perts is that the continued use of anil line-chemical or coal tar-dyes would have ruined the industry Aniline dyed rugs, instead of improvng with age, rust" and grow blotchy The wool-out of which aniline dyes cut the .oil-grows constantly stiffer and hard CT and drayer. There is no life in it, and the difference in feel" is apparent even to the amateur aud is conclusive, to the expert. Under no circumstan- ces, then, purchase a rug dyed with anilines. Consult reputable dealers who can make good" if themselves deceived, as will sometimes happen.
 It is, believe, still a favorite diver sion for "cosey corner editors grave ly to inform their readers that the way to test rug for aniline dyes is to rub it with handkerchief that has been wet in the mouth if any loose color comes off, the rug must be wrong.
 The opposite is true. Aniline dyes are comparatively fast, and the test you can easily try for yourself on any American carpet. Many vegetable ded rugs run when water is applied, wkhile Bokharas are especially likely to be damaged in this way.
 Avoid badly washed rugs, or, if you do buy them, do not pay more than they are worth. All washings are not successful, Sometimes two rugs simi- lar in weave and color will be differ entity affected, One will come out in soft tones with velvet surface, the other with colors blotched and mixed The value of the first may be doubled, of the second cut in two
 saw a Tabriz he other day that was worth two hundred dollars before washing. After washing, the dealer offered 1t to me for twenty dollars, and this was not because the fabric had in any way been injured The wear was still there and the "feer' of the surface was good; but the colors were piebald
 Another Tabriz, landed here, that cost about one thousand dollars, was so much improved by washing as to sell quickly for twenty-five hundred dollars.
 The first requisite in a fine rug is life. Here the analogy with furs is in- teresting. Most of us need no educa- ton or training to make us under stand that If, in curing, the oil and the life have been taken out of sealskin or sable irreparable harm has been done With rugs it is quite the same. the feeling of electric smoothness should result from rubbing with the nap, of spirited remonstrance from rubbing against 1t.
 Years bring to the surface the inner characteristics of a rug, and make it nr fndirid11nlit1. atlfiralw 1n,,li1.n n