The Pensacola journal., 1906-04-10
RUGS OF TIE ORIENT
WHERE THEY COME FROM AND HOW
TO JUDGE THEM.

4 Few Facts That VIII BE Of Value
to Those Who Anticipate Buying or
Who Are Interested In These Prod
uets Of the Looms Of the East.
The question Of antiques IN oriental
rugs should be dismissed from the
mind in purchasing rugs for ordinary
uses. Among recent importations, in
carpet sizes, there are hardly any an
hques in the true sense Of The word.
Real antiques that have found their
way to this country have been secured
by private collectors who were alive to
the worth Of such pieces long before
the general public showed any sign Of
appreciating the beauty and the charm
Of the products Of the oriental looms.
OF such lucky collectors there are
many in this country who could today
realize a handsome profit on their mod
est investment Of several years ago.
Even today, provided one knows some
thing Of comparative values in rugs
or is advised by an expert, there is no
safer thing to purchase than a good
oriental rug. Any other article in the
household will depreclate In value in
time. 1t is only a good oriental rug
that not only keeps its beauty but
actually grows more beautiful by use
always provided, however, that one
bought with discretion. and that the
rugs do not receive too hard usage, in
which case the nap will wear out be-
fore light and air have done their work
In toning down its colors and giving
the rug a silky effect.
1t must be understood that in the
countries where oriental rugs are made
they are treated with more considera-
ton and care than we accord to them
in the existing conditions of our mod
ern life. First. Of all, the number of
rugs used on walls, sofas, ETC., far ex-
ceed those used on the floor, and the
latter do not get any harder wear than
those used on couches, from the fact
that in the oriental countries people in
variably walk over the rugs with soft
slippers or bare feet The native meth
cd of cleaning the rug, which is very
simple, also has much to do with prov
ing the truth Of the statement that "ori-
entail rugs do not wear out"
Oriental rugs are classified acsord-
ing to the country where they are
made, the names Turkish, Pelvian,
Caucasian, Indian, etc, .denoting the
nationality Of the rug, so to speak.
Then again they are reclassified with
respect to the district or town where
they are actually woven. 1t is this
designation which gives oriental rugs
the names by which they are known in
the market, and this designation alone
conveys the idea Of value and ,charac-
ter. For instance, to say a rug is Per-
sian is to say very little. One Persian
rug may be ten times the value Of an
other Persian rug of the same size.
But when we say Mosoul, or Herman,
then at once we know very nearly their
comparative value and distinction. The
Dest rugs are imported from Persia.
Persians are the Oldest and most skill
ful rug weavers in the world. In fact,
we might safely say that all other
countries who send us the product of
their looms are simply imitators.
Some Of the best known Persian
rugs in this country are Herman, Goe-
ravan, T4briz, Sultanabad and Khoras-
san.
Kermans.-The principal features of
these rugs, which distinguish them
from others, are their soft, neutral,
dainty colOrs. the prevalence of floral
designs in their pattern, a glossy sheen
and a short cut pile. These rugs rep
resent the highest standard of the art
Of rug weaving ever achieved. They
are the favOrite rugs on the market
today and are generally used for par.
ors and other rooms where the scheme