The Pensacola journal., 1906-04-10

OOC4dNdn.-NeAL III pOphAOAAtJ AZ CT
sian rugs come Goeravan, or Serapi. It
is easy to recognize this type. A bold
medallion, bright colors and lack of
detail work In the pattern are their
characteristic marks. For medium
priced, good wearing rug for library
or dining room / cannot recommend
anything better than II good GOeravan.
They, however, vary a good deal in
texture; hence care oOght to be exer.
cised in selecting them
Tabriz.-In point Of texture and du-
rability Tabriz are probably the best
rugs made, but from a decorative point
of view they lack all the desired fea-
lures Of Kermans. Colors are crude,
designs too exact and outlines too
sharp. The very fIrmness of the weave
and formation of the pile preclude the
wool from taking on gloss. The city
of Tabriz, by its proximity to Turkish
and Russian frontiers, has lent its rug
industry to outside influence more
readily, and this is plainly seen in its
too formal design and the quality OF
the dyes. Nevertheless some of the
Tabrlz reproductions Of old master
pieces, both in silk and wool, are
among the best works Of art imported
to this country. Both for their inde-
structibility and their colorings TabriZ
rugs are more suited for Libraries, din
ing rooms and halls.
Sultanabad.-Thi rug is called aftef
the city of that name, one. of the prin'
cipaI rug centers of Persia. Rugs woven
here are known in our country under
the names cf Sultanabad, MuShkabad
and Savalsn. There is no appreciahle
difference between them. OF these rugs
might be said more than of any other
oriental rug that they lack the true
oriental sentiment. Commercial coDsid
Grafton has overruled the aesthetic in
clination OF the weaver, and the result
is that SuItanabads and others Of the
same family do not commend them
selves to the cultivated taste Of lovers
of oriental rugs. As to the practical
merits Of the rugs, would not recon-
mend them for places where their wear
ing qualities are liable to be heavily
taxed. Unlike the rugs Of better grade,
the colors In them do not improve with
age; quite the contrary.
Khorassan.-It is natural to expect
that in country like Persia, where
transportation facilities are still Of the
primitive kind and people are averse to
travelling, populations in different dis
uicts will retain their exclusive local
stamp, and their handicraft shows
marks Of the same artistic tempera-
ment and the effect Of geographical
conditions from century to century.
This is particularly true in the case Of
rugs made in the province of Khoras-
Ian. The sheep and the goats here pro-
duce remarkably soft and silky wool.
This fact and the loose formation Of
the nap are responsible for the fact
that KhOrassan rugs are always soft
to the touch and silky in appearance.
In the matter Of pattern also these
rugs are easily distinguishable. The
border is almost always formed by nu-
merous narrow strips, sometimes more
than twelve, all blending together har-
moniously. TheAe is a bold and sharp
ly formed medallion on a plain center
and corners to match.
While this province has produced and
still produces some Of the choices.
pieces Of the oriental art, the average
modern importation Of Khorassan rugs
is devoid Of the merits and intrinsic
value Of the old specimens.
1fhn oR-
freely given to these rugs by dealers,
who often show more enterprise than
knowledge in the matter. Meshed
rugs are distinct from Khorassan prop
er. They are made in the city or
neighborhood of Meshed, the capital Of
Khorassan, and are better rugs.
Besides these more important ones,
there are other species Of rugs made In
Persia 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-
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 difficult it is today to pro-
cure oriental rugs of real merit, rep
resenting in all respects all the best
known qualities of the ancient art.
Unless full confidence is reposed in a
dealer or the service Of an expert is
availed Of it is becoming a risky en-.
terprise to invest any large sum in
these commodities.
The practice of washing rugs with |
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. It Is argued |
that If an application Of such chemical |
solutions is strong enough to affect the |
surface Of the pile it may be strong |
enough to penetrate its warp and weft, |
which, once affected, will sooner or lat.
er result in the decay Of the textile |
fabric. Thus the life of the rug is
endangered for the sake Of