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                    THE MENTOR 1916.03.01, No. 102,
                             Chinese Rugs

                            LEARN ONE THING
                               EVERY DAY

                   MARCH 1 1916      SERIAL NO. 102

                                  THE
                                MENTOR

                 [Illustration: A RUG OF MIXED DESIGNS

                  The Center Is a Faded Magenta Red.
                   The Border Ground Is Pale Yellow]

                             CHINESE RUGS

                          By JOHN K. MUMFORD
                  Author and Expert on Oriental Rugs

                      DEPARTMENT OF      VOLUME 4
                      FINE ARTS          NUMBER 2

                         FIFTEEN CENTS A COPY




A Thing of Beauty


No word in the language is more abused than “beauty.” A pretty thing is
a thing of _beauty_; a pretty picture is a picture of _beauty_; and so
following. Lacking a proper descriptive term for anything attractive,
we, too often, employ the word “beauty.” What term have we then with
which to pay just tribute to true beauty?

       *       *       *       *       *

The real, final test of beauty is that it _wears well_--not in a
material way, but in the qualities that are truly beautiful. The rose
is fragile material and its life is brief, but rose beauty is lasting
and rose fragrance clings sweetly to the memory--so that the rose has
become a synonym of beauty. The message of true beauty is enduring and,
oft repeated, grows in charm. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

       *       *       *       *       *

A distinguishing attribute of true beauty is _authority_. A thing of
beauty bears on its very forefront the stamp of authority. It does
not plead for recognition--it commands it. The snow-capped summit at
sundown, the Madonna face on a master’s canvas, the poet’s “lofty
rhyme,” the fragrant flower, the harmonious symphony, the “frozen
music” of architecture--the countless varied forms of beauty in nature,
art and life ask no favor nor do they play to the fancy of the moment.
Created in intelligence, sincerity and truth, and inspired by lofty
devotion, they compel a lasting homage.




[Illustration: PLATE I

LOANED BY MR. CARLL TUCKER

ANTIQUE CHINESE RUG]




CHINESE RUGS

ANTIQUE CHINESE RUG

Monograph Number One in The Mentor Reading Course

    Length, nine feet nine inches.

    Width, five feet five inches.

    Forty-two hand-tied knots to the square inch.


This attractive rug is representative of a very admirable class of
Chinese floor fabrics, and illustrates in the clearest manner some
interesting and important features in the rug weaving art of China.
The knottage, as will be learned from the specification above, is
not great. A Mohammedan sedjadeh with only 42 knots to the square
inch would be held