Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-03-18
RUGS OF THE ORIENT
WHERE THEY COME FROM AND HOW
TO JUDGE THEM.
Few Fact. Tint VIII n. of value
60 Fhose Who Antictrutc Buyius or
who Arc Interested In These rrod-
ucfs of the Looms of the East.


The question OF antiques in oriental
rugs should lie dismissed from the
mind in purchasing rugs for ordinary
uses. Among recent Importa,uns. in
CARPET sizes, there are hardly any au.
u1ues In the true sense OF The word.
Ee3, 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
approaching 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 Il handsome profit on their mod
ost inveslDIeni of several years ago.
Eveu today, provided one knows some.
thing of comparative values IN rugs
or is advised Ivy an expert. there is DO
safer thing 10 purchase than good
oriental rug. Any other article III tho
household will dcpreciatc IN value iu
time. IL is only q 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 cplors aud giving
the rug silky effect.
1t must be understood that in tho
countries whore oriental rugs are made
they are treated with more copsidera-
lion and care than VIC accord to them
In The existing conditions OF our mod
crn life. First Of all. the number OF
rugs used on walls sofas. etc. far OK
coed those used on the floor. and the
latter do not get any harder wear than
those used on coucbes. from The fact
that In ibe oriental countries people in.
rariahly walk over The rugs with soft
slippers or bare feet. The native metl-
oil of cleaning the rug which is very
simple, also has much 10 do with pros.
ing the truth Of tue statement that '.oli.
entail rugs do not wear out"
Oriental rugs arc classified accord.
ing to the country where they are
made. The names Turkish. Persian,
Caucasian. Indian. elc.. dcnoting the
nationality of The rug. so 10 speak.
Then again they are rcclassified with
respect 10 the district or town where
'bcy arc aciualit woven. II Is this
''csiGnn ion which gives oriental rugs
lhe names hv which they arc known In
the market and Ills designation alone
conveys The idea Of value and charac-
ter. TO" instances. 10 say rug is Per-
sinn Il TO say verv little One Persian
I'll. may be ten times The value of on
other Persian rug Of tho same size
Hut vhcn We say Mosoul. or herman,
then ut once We know very nearly their
compare tive value and distinction. The
best rugs arc imported from Persia.
Persians arc The oldest and most skill
full rug woavers in the world In fact.
we might safely say that all other.
countries who send us tho product Of
their looms arc simply imitators.
Some or The best known Persian
rugs in this country are Herman. Goe.
ravan. Tabrz Sullana bad and Kboras.
san.
kcrmans.-'rbc principal features OF
these rugs which distinguish Them
from others are their soft. neutral,
dainty colors. the prevalence OF floral
designs in their pattern. n glossy sheen
ana short cut pile These rugs rep.
resent the highest standard OF the art
Of rug weaving ever achieved. They
arc The favorite rugs on tho market
today aud nrr generally used for par.
lors end other rooms where the scheme
OF decoration calls for light and soft
effects in the floor covering
Goeravan.-Next in popularity In Fer
sian rugs come Goeravan. or Serapi. RI
Is easy 10 recognize this type. a bold
media lion. bright colors and lack OF
detail work in the pattern are their
characteristic marks. For a medium
priced. good wearing rug for library
or dining room ] cannot recommend
anything better than a good GGcra va II.
They, however, vary good deal In
texture; hence care ought TO he eXcr-
cised in selecting them
Tabrlz.-In point OF texture anil din
rability Tabriz are probably the best
rugs made. but from u ,lccora tive point
Of view they lack all The desired fca-
lures OF kcrmans. Colors are crude.
designs TOO exact and outlines loo
sharp. The very firmness OF tile weave
and lorna ton Of the pile preclude lie
wool from taking on gloss. The city
of Ta6riz, by its proximity TO Turkish
and Russian frontiers, has lent it's rug
Industry TO outside influence more
readily, and this is plainly seen in It's
too formal design and the quality Of
the dyes. Nevertheless some of the
Tabriz reproductions Of old master.
places. both in silk and wool. are
among the best works Of art imported
10 this country Roth for their indie
structibility and their colorings Tahriz
rugs are more suited for libra ries, din
ins rooms and halls.
sl,ltanabad. This rug Is called sfler