Identifier: orientalrugsanti1922hawl (find matches)
Title: Oriental rugs, antique and modern
Year: 1922 (1920s)
Authors: Hawley, W. A. (Walter Augustus), 1863-1920
Subjects: Rugs, Oriental
Publisher: New York, Dodd, Mead
Contributing Library: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library

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woven, rugs may convenientlybe divided into three broad classes; Antique rugs or carpets madeover two centuries ago; old rugs made fifty or more years ago; andmodern rugs made since the introduction of aniline dyes, or withinthe last fifty years. The number of antique carpets that exist is undetermined, as itis impossible to estimate how many remain in Oriental mosquesand palaces. Nor has any complete catalogue been made of thosethat are owned in Europe and America. They consist principallyof the products of Persia, Asia Minor, Armenia, and China. Manybelong to the museums and the remainder to sovereigns and wealthycollectors. Like rare porcelains and old paintings, their valueincreases with each passing year; and the prices received for themrange according to the fancy and caprice of the purchaser. Theyare the most valued and the most costly of all rugs. The number of rugs over fifty years of age, but not belongingto the previous class, is very large. A few are sufficiently prized to
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Plate 66. Kurdish Prayer Kilim PURCHASING RUGS 297 be placed in art museums, some belong to collectors, large num-bers embellish the halls and drawing rooms of people of refinement,and others are yearly brought from the Orient; but dealers and thepublic already realise that their numbers are limited. Even nowthey are searched for in the remotest corners of every rug-produc-ing country; and in a few years the last, now cherished as familyheirlooms, will have been exchanged for western gold. Almost allare well woven, though some are too much worn to be_troddenlonger under foot. None are treated with aniline dyes, but thecolours mellowed by time are exceptionally good and frequently con-tain rare tones characteristic of the first class. Moreover, largenumbers contain emblems of a symbolism still shrouded in mysteriesthat increase their fascination. On the whole, this is the choiceststock from which to choose elegant carpetings for luxurious homes.When it is considered that rugs of this c

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