The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-04-24

the coior5 In them do not improve with
age: quite the contrary.
Khorassan.-it is natural 10 expcri
that in n country like Persia. wher,
transportation facilities are still of tiD
primitive kind and people are averse ju
travelling populations in different dis
tricts will retain their exclusive locai
stamp. and their handicrnft show.
marks OF the same artistic temper,
ment and the effect Of geographic
conditions from century To ccntur,
This Is particularly true In the ease o'
rugs made In the province Of Khora>
san. The sheep AMI the goats here pr
duce remarkably soft aud silky woe.
This fact and the loose formation af
the nap are responsible for the fa,q
that kborassan rugs are always soft
20 the touch and silky Ia appearance
In the matter Of pattern also these
rugs are easily distinguishablc The
border ls almost always formed by nu-
mcrous narrow strips. sometimes more
Than twelve. all blending together bar-
meniously. There il bold and sharp
ly formed medallion ola a plain centcr
and corners &C. match.
While this province has produced and
still produces some NJ the choicest
pieces Of the oricntal art, the average
modern importation of Khorassan rugs
IL devoid of the merits and intrinsic
value Of the.Oh specimens.
The name OF Mcsbed Ia sometimes
freely given 10 these rugs by dealers.
who often show more enterprise than
knowledge Ia the matter. McsheI
rugs are distinct from Khorassan prop
err They are made in the city or
neighborhood Of Mesbed. the capital Of
Kborassau. aud are better rugs.
Besides these more important ones
there are other species Of rugs made in
Persia and Turkey. both large aud
small These few facts. however.
which are given above for the benefit
Of your readers. viii not fail 10 be Of
some advantage 10 those who antlcl-
pated buying or who are Interested In
oriental rugs generally.
Of more practical value to the aver
age buyer Is. however. the question OF
quality rather than kind Few people
know how diiijrult Il Is today 10 pro.
cure oriental rugs of real merit. rep.
rcsenl!ng IN an RESPECTS all the best
known qualities of the ancient art.
Unless full confidence Is rrpOsed In a
\ dealer or the service OF an expert Il
/ ayuilcd OF 10 Is becoming risky en-
terprisc to Invest any large sum In
/ these commodities
| The practice OF washing rugs with
preparations OF lime. etc.. To reduce
the bright colors OF the modern rugs
has done much To shake the faith of
the Informed public IN these goods. OF
once undOubted merit u i argued
that lr an application OF such chemical
solutions Is strong enough tu affect the
surface Of tile pile IL may bc strong
enough 10 penetrate It's warp and wcft,
which once affected. viii sooner or lat
| or result la THE decay OF tie textile
| fabric. Thus the life or tho rug IL
practically endangered for the sake of
bringing II Into strlcter harmony
with the requirements OF modern
decorative scheme.
Another Ingenious practice often In.
dulged ia by certain dealers Is that Of
dyelng them with paint and brush. In
Producing desirable hues and substltut.
Ing certain common tints with colors
more sought after. such aB green, rose
etc. These practices are too recent IN
furnish sufficient data 10 form nm opin-
ion as 10 their ultimate effect on rugs
10 treated, but they emphasize the need
Of extreme care on the part Of purchas-
crs Ia the selection OF their rugs. The
wlscst as well as the safest coursc
would bc. especially when costly pieces
arr under consideration. 10 secure th'
services Of IA dislnterestcd party who's
knowledge can be relied upon.
There is no doubt that with due care
both In buying aud In using them ori
entail rugs will still he found worthy
Of the high reputation which they have
uniformly enjoyed as the standard OF
excellence and worth.-H. MichaeIyau
] In New York Times