Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-03-18

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of oriental rugs. IA to the practical
merits or tho rugs, | would not recon-
mend them FOR places where their wear
ing qualities are liable 10 be heo Willy
tRKell, Unlike the rugs OF better grade,
the colors in item de not improye With
age; quito the contrary.
khorassan.-it is natural to expect
that in q country like Persia, where
transportation facilities are still of The
primitive kind md people are nversc to
travelling. populations in different dis.
tricts will retain their exclusive local
stamp, AMI their haDdicraft show1
marks of the same artistic tempprn.
ncnt aud The effect ot geographical
conditions from century 10 century.
This is particularly true in The case Of
rugs made in Tho province of Khoras.
san. The sheep and the goats hero pro.
tlucc remarkably soft and silky wool.
This fact and the loose formation OF
tue nap are responsible for the fact
Thai hhorassnn rugs arc always soft
10 tho touch aud silky in appearances.
In The matter Of pattern nlso these
rugs arc costly dstiuguishnblc. The
border is almost always formed by MI.
ineroua narrow strips. sometimes more
Than twelve. Nil blcndiug together har.
mcniously. There is bold and sharp.
~ formed medallion on q plain center
and corners 10 match.
Willie this province has produced and
still produces some of the choicest
pieces of the oriental art. the average
modern importation OF ISborassau rugs
us devoid OF the lnGvits and intrinsic
value OF The oil specimens.
The name OF Mrslcd is sometimes
freely given TO these rugs by dealers,
who often show more enterprise than
knowledge in the matter. AIcshed
rugs arc distinct FROM Ilhorassan prop
or. They arc madc in the city or
ncishborhoo'l Of Meshed. the capital of
khornssan. and are better rugs
Besides these more important ones,
there are other species of rugs made in
I'crsia and Turkey. both large and
small. These few facts, however,
which are given above for the benefit
OF your readers, will not fail to be OF
some advantage to those who antici-
patcd buying or who are interested in
oriental rugs generally.
or more practical value to the aver.
age buyer is, however. the question OF
quality rather than kind Few people
know how difficult II is today TO pro-
cure oriental rugs OF real merit rep
rcscntins in all respects all The best
known qualities Of the ancient arr.
Unless full confidence is reposed in a
dcalcr or The service Of an expert is
availcd OF ii is becoming IL risky en-
icrprise TO invest any large sum in
these commodities,
The practice OF washing rugs with
prepare tions Of lime. etc. to reduce
The bright colors OF the modern rugs
has done Wuch 10 shake the faith of
the Informed public in these goods OF
once undoubled merit. 1t ~ argued
that if au application OF anch chemica
solutions is strong enough TO affect The
surface Of the pile il may be strong
enough TO penetrate lis warp and welt
which, once affccted, will sooner or lat
or result in The decay Of the textile
fabric. Thus The life OF the rug Is
practically endangered for the snke OF
bringing II into stricier harmony
with The requirements of modern
decorative scheme.
Another Ingenious practice often In.
dulgeu iu by certain dealers is that OF
dyeing them with paint and brush. ip
Producing desirable hues and substiiut.
lug certain common lints With coIorS
more sought after. such as green. rose
etc. These practices are TOO recent to
furnish sufficient data 10 form an opin
ion as to their ultimate effect OH rugs
so treated. bnt they emphasize the need
OF extreme care OH the part OF purchas
ors In the selection OF their rugs. The
wisesi as well rs the safest course
would be. especially when costly pieces
are under consideration. 10 secure the
services or disinteres,ed party whose
knowledge can br relied upon.
There is no doubt ihai with due care
both in buying and in using them orr
entail rugs will still 10 found worthy
OF the high repula ton which they have
uniformly enjoyed ~ the standard OF
czcellcnr and worth.--H Michaelyar
in New York Times