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THE ORIENTAL RUG




[Illustration:

  PLATE I.
  ANTIQUE LADIK
  _Prayer Rug_
  FROM THE COLLECTION OF MR. GEORGE H. ELLWANGER
  Size: 3.10 x 6]




  THE ORIENTAL RUG

  A MONOGRAPH ON
  EASTERN RUGS AND CARPETS,
  SADDLE-BAGS, MATS & PILLOWS.
  WITH A CONSIDERATION OF KINDS
  AND CLASSES, TYPES, BORDERS,
  FIGURES, DYES, SYMBOLS ETC.
  TOGETHER WITH SOME PRACTICAL
  ADVICE TO COLLECTORS.


  BY W. D. ELLWANGER

  Author of
  "A Summer Snowflake"


  NEW YORK:
  DODD, MEAD & COMPANY.
  1909



  _Copyright, 1903_
  BY DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY
  Published September, 1903




PREFACE


That Oriental rugs are works of art in the highest sense of the term, and
that fine antique specimens, of even modest size, have a financial value
of ten, fifteen, or thirty-eight thousand dollars, has been recently
determined at public auction. At this auction, several nations had a
representative voice in the bidding, and the standard of price was fairly
established. The value of rugs may have been imaginary and sentimental
heretofore; it is now a definite fact, with figures apparently at the
minimum. What the maximum may prove, remains to be seen.

Choice old rugs, therefore, to-day come into the same class with genuine
paintings of the old Dutch School; with canvases of Teniers, Ruysdael,
Cuyp, Ostade, or whatever similar artist's work may have escaped the
museums. They vie in prestige with the finest examples of Corot, Diaz,
Troyon, or Daubigny; and in monetary supremacy they overtop the rarest and
grandest of Chinese porcelains.

And yet the Oriental rug, as against such competitors for the wealthy
collectors' favour, has hardly a history, and is practically without a
name or a pedigree. Experts will tell you at a glance whether or not your
Wouverman is genuine, or inform you where every true Corot was owned or
whence it was bartered or stolen. In Chinese porcelains, the knowing
dealer will easily prove to you not only under what dynasty but in what
decade or year a particular piece was produced.

The painting has descent, signature, or the brush mark of a school to
father it. The Chinese vase, bowl, or jar has its marks, cyphers, stamps
and dates, and an undoubted genealogy to vouch for its authenticity. The
rug must speak for itself and go upon its intrinsic merits. It is its own
guarantee and certificate of artistic and financial value.

The study of Oriental rugs, therefore, can never lead to an exact science
or approximate dogmatic knowledge. Whoever is interested in them must
needs rely upon his personal judgment or the seller's advice. There is
practically only one current book authority in the premises.

A new volume on the subject would thus seem to be well justified. It is
the hope of the author that this book may prove itself sound and
practical, and that it may help to make more clear and simple the right
appreciation of a valuable rug.


W. D. ELLWANGER

ROCHESTER, N.Y., 1903




CONTENTS


  Chapter                                                 Page

     I. THE MYSTERY OF THE RUG                               3

    II. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION                              13

   III. OF THE MAKING, AND OF DESIGNS, BORDERS, ETC.        21

    IV. OF THE DYEING                                       35

     V. OF PERSIAN RUGS, SPECIFICALLY                       43

    VI. CAUCASIAN RUGS, DAGHESTAN AND RUSSIAN TYPES         61

   VII. OF TURKISH VARIETIES                                69

 