The Morning standard. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1910-191?, 1910-11-27

upon the American collector of fine rugs but that has
now become difficult with the coming of more knowl-
edge and n wider acquaintance with these wonderful
fabrics of the East The counting of the knots the
study OF the dyes sharp search for any traces
the detestcd anlllne constantly used by the
tcur prevent himself from being mislcd,
Charles I. Ycrkes. who gathered one OF the greatest
collections of these textiles In this country and might
have attained the distinction of having tho finest
assembagc this kind in world. spent thousands
OF dollars hi establishing evidences of autbencitg
He grew proficient in his later years In the lore of
rugs that he seemed to know nstnctively the merits
OF carpets and rugs and many an hour did he spend
in gallery devoted especially to those fabrics watch
Ing the play of colors upon them if he were
muning with the souls OF the past
or late years there has been n growing interest
In the Chinese rugs Of the fifteenth sixteenth and
cnteenth centuries, which especially Interesting
the collector account Of the rich and beautiful sym
bolsm they convey.
Each figure conveys thought The bride received
n rug In which woven the insignia Of happiness
and peace and prosperity. while great dlgnitarles oh
tained fabrics in which by mystic designs con-
vcyed the wishes for longevity and continued power
These rugs although rich In color in
us the Persian are highly esteemed by collectors
Remote regions of China rnnSacked for rugs and
prices which bring out those which be obtained
offered which in time the scruplcs of the
owners In parting with them Many saddle cloth
which for years served its purpose the plains OF
Tarary may now be floor wall of some
Fifth avenue rcSidcncc(
The forty-ninc rugs which now on view I'm the
metropolitan Museum Of Art nearly all lent by
private
The compelling charm of the tone and color Of tbc
so-called POlonaisc VIII appeal all observers
matter whether they have read deeply in the ru;
manuals or are without any special knowledge
weayugs.
There always has been more or less of a mystery
to the origin Of the so-cned Polish fabrics One
legend has il 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
DR. NalentiDer now comes forward with an EXPLAIN.
ton which seems TO have a fnr greater weight OF
authority in Its favor. He declares that the nnme
Polonase dates from the Paris Exposition of 1878
when several rugs of this type were exhibited by
Prince Czortorski from Warsaw. Some of these were
adorned with the princey coat Of which had
embroidered upon them nj later date The fact thul
there was nothing European In their design alwayl
Inns made 1t difficult to accept the story that In
way the making OF these rugs carried on by
natives OF Poland or descendants Of PersiaDs there
in exile.
Some Famous Fabrics
1t is now generally believed that the cxouisitcly
delicate fabrics were made In Persn. between the
years 1000 and 1850 aud by n special
corps of weaver attached to the royal household and
sent by Shah Abbas, of Persia, 30 European courts
These rugs are exceedingly rare and account
OF their great beauty are In great demand The
splendid specimens which to he at the
museum about three hundred years old and could
they tell of their travels many story might they
reIaTc OF lives in palaces before they into the
possession of their present owners
lt Is stated that there about three hundred of
theSc Polish rugs In the world, The best examples
are preserved in the European courts such those
or Moscow Copenhagen, Stockholm and Munich. and
otDer places where they have been carefully guarded
since the seventeenth century
The visitor to the museum has q rare opportunity
ID observing the wonderful harmony Of coors in these
specimens. The principal hucS. all of which
retain their pristine brllancy light blue. green
ana remarkable shades of orange and brown, which
are especially beautiful when the light falls Mt df
ferent angles the heavy skcn pile of the fabrics
The museum is indebted for the loan Of the
called PoloDaise rugs to Senator William A. CLARK
Mrs. Il. Altman, General Brayton Ives, Dr. Denman
W. Ross and Mr. Z. a Il, Wdener
There are also 10 be In this loan collection
rugs OF lspahan called because fabrics OF this
the market although n matter of fact no rugs
made there at all In the period which these fabrics
are assigned. The name Herat is preferably ap
piled TO them. They date from sixteenth century
and are distinguished by beauty Of design and mellow
Of tone.
The museum Is so fortunate ms to own one OF tho
animal rugs from the Ardebil Mosque, which 1t ac-
quired by purchase when the Charles r. Yerkes col"
lection was sold. and also large Persian hunting
80 called because II bears 6gureS OF the sports OF the
chase
There two rugs lent by Mr. C. F. Williams.
which nre designated he Holbeln rugs, because
rugs OF precisely this pattern very like it appear
as table covers In paintings by the Dutch nTtSt
They are OF ancient Oriental origin undoubtedly but
they are going down to history designated by the pame
OF a European painter
Those who have lent their rugs to the museum for
this exhibition Mr.. Benjamin Altman. OF New
York; Senator w a Clark, also of this city ana
Montana; Mr.. Theodore NJ Davis of Newporti Cen
nhenny, OF Philadelphia, Mr. p NJ ShNrpless. OF West
Chester, Pa; Mr.. r. A. Is Wldcner Of Elklns PurS'
Pa; Mt c. # Williams, of Norristown, Pa aud tue
Boston Museum of Fine Arts.