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                                    THE
                              PRACTICAL BOOK
                             OF ORIENTAL RUGS

                              FOURTH EDITION




                                    THE
                             PRACTICAL BOOKS
                         OF HOME LIFE ENRICHMENT

                       _EACH PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED,
                             HANDSOMELY BOUND.
                      Octavo. Cloth. In a slip case._

                           THE PRACTICAL BOOK
                           OF EARLY AMERICAN
                             ARTS AND CRAFTS
                      BY HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN
                            AND ABBOT MCCLURE

                           THE PRACTICAL BOOK
                             OF ARCHITECTURE
                           BY C. MATLACK PRICE

                           THE PRACTICAL BOOK
                            OF ORIENTAL RUGS
                        BY DR. G. GRIFFIN LEWIS
                   NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED

                          THE PRACTICAL BOOK OF
                           GARDEN ARCHITECTURE
                       BY PHEBE WESTCOTT HUMPHREYS

                           THE PRACTICAL BOOK
                           OF PERIOD FURNITURE
                      BY HAROLD DONALDSON EBERLEIN
                            AND ABBOT MCCLURE

                          THE PRACTICAL BOOK OF
                           OUTDOOR ROSE GROWING
                         BY GEORGE C. THOMAS, JR.
                           NEW REVISED EDITION

                          THE PRACTICAL BOOK OF
                           INTERIOR DECORATION




  [Illustration: TEKKE BOKHARA RUG
                 Size 5'6" × 6'4"
                 PROPERTY OF MR. F. A. TURNER, BOSTON, MASS.

  This piece is unusual in many ways. The background of old
  ivory both in the borders and in the field; the old rose color of the
  octagons; the difference in the number of border stripes and in the
  designs of same on the sides and ends are all non-Turkoman features.
  It is the only so called "white Bokhara" of which we have
  any knowledge.]




                                    THE
                              PRACTICAL BOOK
                             OF ORIENTAL RUGS

                                    BY
                           DR. G. GRIFFIN LEWIS

            WITH 20 ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR, 93 IN DOUBLETONE
                    70 DESIGNS IN LINE, CHART AND MAP

                   _NEW EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED_

                           [Illustration: logo]

                           PHILADELPHIA & LONDON
                         J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY




             COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
             COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY

                 PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
                    AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS
                          PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A.




PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION


It is most gratifying to both author and publishers that the first
edition of "The Practical Book of Oriental Rugs" has been so quickly
exhausted. Its rather remarkable sale, in spite of the fact that within
the past decade, no less than seven books on the subject have been
printed in English, proves that it is the practical part of the book
that appeals to the majority.

The second edition has been prepared with the same practical idea
paramount and quite a few new features have been introduced.

The color plates have been increased from ten to twenty; a chapter on
Chinese rugs has been inserted; descriptions of three more rugs have
been added and numerous changes and additions have been made to the text
in general.




PREFACE


Oriental rugs have become as much a necessity in our beautiful,
artistic homes as are the paintings on the walls and the various other
works of art. Their admirers are rapidly increasing, and with this
increased interest there is naturally an increased demand for more
reliable information regarding them.

The aim of the present writer has been practical--no such systematized
and tabulated information regarding each variety of rug in the market
has previously been attempted. The particulars on identification by
prominent characteristics and detail of weaving, the detailed chapter
on design, illustrated throughout with text cuts, thus enabling the
reader to identify the different varieties by their patterns; and the
price per square foot at which each variety is held by retail dealers,
are features new in rug literature. Instructions are also given for
the selection, purchase, care and cleaning of rugs, as well as for the
detection of fake antiques, aniline dyes, etc.

In furtherance of this practical idea the illustrations are not of
museum pieces and priceless specimens in the possession of wealthy
collectors, but of fine and attractive examples which with knowledge
and care can be bought in the open market to-day. These illustrations
will therefore be found of the greatest practical value to modern
purchasers. In the chapter on famous rugs some few specimens
illustrative of notable pieces have been added.

In brief, the author has hoped to provide within reasonable limits and
at a reasonable price a volume from which purchasers of Oriental rugs
can learn in a short time all that is necessary for their guidance,
and from which dealers and connoisseurs can with the greatest ease of
reference refresh their knowledge and determine points which may be in
question.

For many valuable hints the author wishes to acknowledge indebtedness
to the publications referred to in the bibliography; to Miss Lillian
Cole, of Sivas, Turkey; to Major P. M. Sykes, the English Consulate
General at Meshed, Persia; to B. A. Gupte, F. Z. S., Assistant Director
of Ethnography at the Indian Museum, Calcutta, India; to Prof. du
Bois-Reymond, of Shanghai, China; to Dr. John G. Wishard, of the
American Hospital at Teheran, Persia; to Miss Alice C. Bewer, of
the American Hospital at Aintab, Turkey; to Miss Annie T. Allen, of
Brousa, Turkey; to Mr. Charles C. Tracy, president of Anatolia College,
Morsovan, Turkey; to Mr. John Tyler, of Teheran, Persia; to Mr. E. L.
Harris, United States Consulate General of Smyrna, Turkey; to Dr. J.
Arthur Frank, Hamadan, Persia; and to Miss Kate G. Ainslie, of Morash,
Turkey.

For the use of some of the plates and photographs acknowledgment is
made to Mr. A. U. Dilley, of Boston, Mass.; to H. B. Claflin & Co., of
New York City; to Mr. Charles Quill Jones, of New York City; to Miss
Lillian Cole, of Sivas, Turkey; to Maj. P. M. Sykes, of Meshed, Persia;
to Maj. L. B. Lawton, of Seneca Falls, N. Y.; to the late William E.
Curtis, of Washington, D. C.; to _The Scientific American_ and to
_Good Housekeeping_ magazines; while thanks are due Mr. A. U. Dilley,
of Boston, Mass.; to Liberty & Co., of London; to the Simplicity Co.,
of Grand Rapids, Mich.; to the Tiffany Studios and to Nahigian Bros.,
of Chicago, Ill., for some of the  plates, and to Clifford &
Lawton, of New York City, for the map of the Orient.




TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                   PART I

                                                                    PAGE

         INTRODUCTION                                                 17

         Age of the weaving art; Biblical reference to the weaving
         art; a fascinating study; the artistic worth and other
         advantages of the Oriental products over the domestic;
         annual importation.

      I. COST AND TARIFF                                              25

         Upon what depends the value; the various profits made;
         transportation charges; export duties; import duties;
         cost compared with that of domestic products; some
         fabulous prices.

     II. DEALERS AND AUCTIONS                                         31

         Oriental shrewdness; when rugs are bought by the bale;
         the auction a means of disposing of poor fabrics; fake
         bidders.

    III. ANTIQUES                                                     35

         The antique craze; why age enhances value; what constitutes
         an antique; how to determine age; antiques in
         the Orient; antiques in America; celebrated antiques;
         American collectors; artificial aging.

     IV. ADVICE TO BUYERS                                             43

         Reliable dealers; difference between Oriental and domestic
         products; how to examine rugs; making selections;
         selection of rugs for certain rooms.

      V. THE HYGIENE OF THE RUG                                       55

         The hygienic condition of Oriental factories and homes;
         condition of rugs when leaving the Orient; condition of
         rugs when arriving in America; United States laws regarding
         the disinfection of hides; the duties of retailers.

     VI. THE CARE OF RUGS                                             63

         Erroneous ideas regarding the wearing qualities of
         Oriental rugs; treatment of rugs in the Orient compared
         with that in America; how and when cleaned;
         how and when washed; moths; how straightened; removal
         of stains, etc.

    VII. THE MATERIAL OF RUGS                                         69

         Wool, goats' hair, camels' hair, cotton, silk, hemp;
         preparation of the wool; spinning of the wool.

   VIII. DYES AND DYERS                                               75

         Secrets of the Eastern dye pots; vegetable dyes; aniline
         dyes; Persian law against the use of aniline; the
         process of dyeing; favorite colors of different rug-weaving
         nations; how to distinguish between vegetable and
         aniline dyes; symbolism of colors; the individual dyes
         and how made.

     IX. WEAVING AND WEAVERS                                          87

         The present method compared with that of centuries
         ago; Oriental method compared with the domestic;
         pay of the weavers; the Eastern loom; the different
         methods of weaving.

      X. DESIGNS AND THEIR SYMBOLISM                                  97

         Oriental vs. European designs; tribal patterns; the
         migration of designs; characteristics of Persian designs;
         characteristics of Turkish designs; characteristics of
         Caucasian designs; characteristics of Turkoman designs;
         dates and inscriptions; quotations from the
         Koran; description and symbolism of designs alphabetically
         arranged, with an illustration of each.

     XI. THE IDENTIFICATION OF RUGS                                  147

         A few characteristic features of certain rugs; table
         showing the distinguishing features of all rugs; an
         example.


                                   PART II

    XII. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION                                      161

         How they receive their names; trade names; geographical
         classification of all rugs.

   XIII. PERSIAN CLASSIFICATION                                      169

         Persian characteristics; the knot; the weavers; factories
         in Persia; Persian rug provinces; description
         of each Persian rug, as follows: Herez, Bakhshis,
         Gorevan, Serapi, Kara Dagh, Kashan, Souj Bulak,
         Tabriz, Bijar (Sarakhs, Lule), Kermanshah, Senna,
         Feraghan (Iran), Hamadan, Ispahan (Iran), Joshaghan,
         Saraband (Sarawan, Selvile), Saruk, Sultanabad
         (Muskabad, Mahal, Savalan), Niris (Laristan),
         Shiraz (Mecca), Herat, Khorasan, Meshed, Kirman,
         Kurdistan.

    XIV. TURKISH CLASSIFICATION                                      217

         The rug-making districts of Turkey in Asia; annual
         importation of Turkish rugs; Turkish weavers; the
         knot; Turkish characteristics; the Kurds; description
         of each Turkish rug, as follows: Kir Shehr, Oushak,
         Karaman, Mujur, Konieh, Ladik, Yuruk, Ak Hissar
         (Aksar), Anatolian, Bergama, Ghiordes, Kulah,
         Makri, Meles (Carian), Smyrna (Aidin, Brousa),
         Mosul.

     XV. CAUCASIAN CLASSIFICATION                                    253

         The country; the people; Caucasian characteristics;
         description of each Caucasian rug, as follows: Daghestan,
         Derbend, Kabistan (Kuban), Tchetchen
         (Tzitzi, Chichi), Baku, Shemakha (Soumak, Kashmir),
         Shirvan, Genghis (Turkman), Karabagh, Kazak.

    XVI. TURKOMAN CLASSIFICATION                                     277

         Turkoman territory; Turkoman characteristics; description
         of each Turkoman rug, as follows: Khiva
         Bokhara (Afghan), Beshir Bokhara, Tekke Bokhara,
         Yomud (Yamut), Kasghar, Yarkand, Samarkand
         (Malgaran).

   XVII. BELUCHISTAN RUGS                                            295

         The country; the people; Beluchistan characteristics;
         description and cost of Beluchistan rugs.

  XVIII. CHINESE RUGS                                                301

         Slow to grow in public favor; exorbitant prices;
         geographical classification; classification according to
         designs; Chinese designs and their symbolism; the
         materials; the colors.

    XIX. GHILEEMS, SILKS, AND FELTS                                  311

         How made; classification, characteristics, uses,
         description of each kind.

         _Silks_                                                     316
           Classification, colors, cost, wearing qualities.
         _Felts_                                                     318
           How made; their use; cost.

     XX. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO THEIR INTENDED USE              321

         _Prayer Rugs._ How used; the niche; designs; how classified;
           prayer niche designs with key.

         _Hearth Rugs, Grave Rugs, Dowry or Wedding Rugs,
           Mosque Rugs, Bath Rugs, Pillow Cases, Sample Corners,
           Saddle Bags, Floor Coverings, Runners, Hangings._

    XXI. FAMOUS RUGS                                                 331

         Museum collections; private collections; the recent
         Metropolitan Museum exhibit; age and how determined;
         description and pictures of certain famous
         rugs.

  GLOSSARY                                                           341

    Giving all rug names and terms alphabetically arranged,
    with the proper pronunciation and explanation.

  BIBLIOGRAPHY                                                       359

    Giving an alphabetically arranged list of all rug literature
    in the English language.

  INDEX                                                              363




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


                                RUGS

                            PLATES

                                                             PAGE

  Tekke Bokhara rug                                _Frontispiece_

  Meshed prayer rug                                            22

  Khorasan carpet                                              32

  Saruk rug                                                    40

  Shiraz rug                                                   52

  Anatolian mat                                                60

  Ghiordes prayer rug                                          66

  Ladik prayer rug                                             74

  Daghestan rug                                                84

  Kazak rug                                                    94

  Kazak rug                                                   144

  Shirvan rug                                                 158

  Saruk rug                                                   166

  Kulah hearth rug                                            216

  Shirvan rug                                                 250

  Beshir Bokhara prayer rug                                   274

  Daghestan prayer rug                                        292

  Chinese rug                                                 300

  Chinese rug                                                 306

  Chinese cushion rug                                         318


                           DOUBLETONES

  The Metropolitan animal rug                                  26

  Bergama prayer rug                                           46

  Symbolic Persian silk (Tabriz) rug                           48

  Symbolic Persian silk rug                                    98

  Semi-Persian rug (European designs)                         100

  Shiraz prayer rug                                           104

  Hamadan rug                                                 110

  Feraghan rug                                                114

  Kermanshah rug (modern)                                     118

  Khiva prayer rug                                            120

  Kir Shehr prayer rug                                        130

  Konieh prayer rug                                           138

  Tekke Bokhara strip                                         150

  Tekke Bokhara saddle half                                   162

  Herez carpet                                                172

  Gorevan carpet                                              176

  Serapi carpet                                               178

  Kashan silk rug                                             180

  Tabriz rug                                                  182

  Bijar rug                                                   186

  Senna rug                                                   188

  Feraghan rug                                                190

  Hamadan rug                                                 192

  Ispahan rug                                                 194

  Saraband rug                                                198

  Mahal carpet                                                202

  Niris rug                                                   204

  Shiraz rug                                                  206

  Shiraz rug                                                  208

  Kirman prayer rug                                           210

  Kirman rug                                                  212

  Kurdistan rug (Mina Khani design)                           214

  Kir Shehr prayer rug                                        220

  Kir Shehr hearth rug                                        222

  Konieh prayer rug                                           224

  Maden (Mujur) prayer rug                                    226

  Ladik prayer rug                                            228

  Yuruk rug                                                   230

  Ak Hissar prayer rug                                        232

  Bergama rug                                                 236

  Ghiordes prayer rug                                         238

  Kulah prayer rug                                            240

  Meles rug                                                   242

  Meles rug                                                   244

  Makri rug                                                   246

  Mosul rug                                                   248

  Daghestan rug                                               254

  Daghestan prayer rug                                        256

  Kabistan rug                                                258

  Tchetchen or Chichi rug                                     260

  Baku rug                                                    262

  Shemakha, Sumak or Cashmere rug                             264

  Shirvan rug                                                 266

  Genghis rug                                                 268

  Karabagh rug                                                270

  Kazak rug (Palace design)                                   272

  Khiva Bokhara rug                                           278

  Beshir Bokhara rug                                          280

  Tekke Bokhara rug                                           282

  Tekke Bokhara (Princess Bokhara, Khatchlie) prayer rug      284

  Yomud rug                                                   286

  Samarkand rug                                               290

  Beluchistan rug                                             296

  Senna Ghileem rug                                           312

  Kurdish Ghileem rug                                         314

  Merve Ghileem rug                                           316

  Kurdish Ghileem rug                                         316

  Saddle cloth, saddle bags and powder bag                    324

  Kirman saddle bags                                          326

  Bijar sample corner                                         328

  Ardebil Mosque carpet                                       330

  Berlin Dragon and Phœnix rug                                332

  East Indian hunting rug                                     334

  The Altman prayer rug                                       336

  The Baker hunting rug                                       338


                           RUG MAKING, ETC.

  A Persian rug merchant                                       38

  Expert weaver and inspector                                  38

  Spinning the wool                                            72

  Persian dye pots                                             80

  A Persian village                                            80

  A Turkish loom                                               88

  The Senna and Ghiordes knots                                 90

  Youthful weavers                                             90

  A Persian loom                                               92

  A wooden comb                                                92

  A Kurdish guard                                             124

  The Emir of Bokhara and his ministers                       134

  Turkomans at home                                           134

  Characteristic backs of rugs                                152

  Inspecting rugs at Ispahan                                  170

  Persian villages near Hamadan                               170

  Turkomans                                                   276

  Having a pot of tea at Bokhara                              288

  A street in Samarkand                                       288

  The rug caravan                                             376


                           DESIGNS

  Angular hook                                                101

  Barber-pole stripe                                          102

  Bat                                                         103

  Beetle                                                      103

  Butterfly border design                                     104

  Caucasian border design                                     105

  Chichi border design                                        105

  Chinese fret                                                106

  Chinese cloud band                                          106

  Comb                                                        108

  Crab border design                                          108

  Greek cross                                                 109

  Fish bone border design                                     112

  Galley border design                                        112

  Georgian border design                                      112

  Ghiordes border design                                      113

  Herati border design                                        114

  Herati field design                                         114

  Knot of destiny                                             116

  Kulah border design                                         116

  Lamp                                                        117

  Lattice field                                               117

  Link                                                        118

  Lotus                                                       118

  Lotus border design                                         119

  Greek meander                                               119

  Pole medallion                                              120

  Mir or Saraband border design                               120

  Octagon                                                     122

  Palace or sunburst                                          122

  Pear                                                        123

  Pear border design                                          124

  Reciprocal saw-teeth                                        126

  Reciprocal trefoil                                          126

  Lily or Rhodian field design                                126

  Lily or Rhodian border design                               126

  Ribbon border design                                        127

  Rooster                                                     127

  Rosette                                                     128

  S forms                                                     129

  Scorpion border design                                      129

  Shirvan border design                                       130

  Shou                                                        131

  Solomon's seal                                              131

  Star