The San Francisco call., 1910-12-11

so-called PoonaSe rugs will appeal to all observers.
matter whether they have read deeply in the rug
manuals or are without any special knowledge of
these weavings
There always has been more or less Of mystery
as to the origin of the so-called Polish fabrics One
legend has it that certain Persian weavers driven to
the borders of Europe took up their abode War
saw and there began the making of the textiles which
bear their names.
Doctor Valentiner now comes forward with an
explanation which seems to have far greater weight
of authority in its favor He declares that the name
Poonaise dates from the Paris exposition of 1873
when several rugs of this type were exhibited by
Prince Czartoriski from Warsaw Some of these
were adorned with the prncely coat of arms, which
had been embroidered upon them at later date.
The fact that there was nothing European in their
design always has made it difficult to accept the
story that in way the making of these rugs was
carried on by natives of Poland or descendants OF
Persians there in exile.
SOME FAMOUS FABRICS
1t is generally believed that the exquisitely
delicate fabrics made in Persia, between the
years 1000 and 165O and were woven by a special
corps OF weavers attached to the royal household and
sent by Shah Abbas of Persia to- European courts
Ihese rugs are exceedingy rare and on account
OF their great beauty are IN great demand The
splendid specimens which 10 be seen at the
museum about 500 years DID, and could they tell
OF their travels many story might they relate Of
lives in palaces before they into the possession
OF their present owners.
1t is stated that there about 500 of these Polish
rugs in the world The best examples are preserved
IN the European courts, such as those of Moscow
Copenhagen, Stockholm and Munich and other
places where they have been carefully guarded
since the seventeenth century.
The visitor to the museum has rare opportunity
in observing the wonderful harmony of colors in
these specimens The principal hues, all of which
seem to retain their pristine briliancy are light blue
green and remarkable shades of orange and brown
which are especially beautiful when the light falls at
different angles upon the heavy silken pile of the
fabrics
The museum is indebted for the loan of the So
called Polonalse rugs to Senator William A. Clark
Mrs. R. Altman General Brayton Ives Dr. Denman
w. Ross and Mr.. P. A. B. Widener.
There are also to be in this loan collection
rugs OF lspahan, called because fabrics of this fine
texture and beautiful coloring were carried there
the market. although matter of fact rugs were
made there at all in the period to which these fabrics
are assigned. The Herat is now preferably ap-
pied to them. They date from the sixteenth century
and are distinguished by beauty of design and mel
lowness Of tone
The museum IS so fortunate as to OF the
animal rugs from the Ardebil mosque. which 1t
CURED by purchase when the Charles T. Eerkes col
lection was sold, and also large Persian hunting
rug so called because it bears figures of the sports
Of the chase
There are two rugs lent by Mr.. c. F. Williams
which are designated the Holbein rugs, because
rugs of precisely this pattern very like it appea
as table covers in paintings by the great Dut&
artist. They of ancient Oriental origin undouBt
edly but they going down to history designated
by the name OF European painter.