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.