AK HISSAR
Synonyms.—Akhissar, Aksar, Axar.
Why So Named.—After a town by that name lying in the mountains less than one hundred miles north of Smyrna, where they are made.
Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to ten; number to square inch sixteen to eighty.
Warp.—Coarse wool.
Woof.—Coarse wool.
Nap.—Thick wool and mohair.
Weave.—Loosely woven.
AK HISSAR PRAYER RUG
Size 5'9" × 3'7"
PROPERTY OF COLONEL GEORGE G. BRIGGS, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
Sides.—Usually overcast, occasionally selvaged.
Ends.—Narrow web at each end with loose warp threads.
Border.—Similar to those of the Ghiordes.
Prevailing Colors.—Mostly dark green, red, and blue, with some white.
Dyes.—Like most of the Turkish rugs, the moderns are apt to be chemically dyed.
Designs.—Similar to those of the Ghiordes and Oushak.
Sizes.—From four to six by six to eight feet.
Prices.—Usually cheap.
Remarks.—Similar to the modern Ghiordes. Very few reach the United States.
THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED
Maj. L. B. Lawton's Description.—A typical specimen, showing double and single latch hooks in the niche. The eight borders might cause a beginner to name the rug Kulah, except for the reason that Kulahs are paler in tone and usually much larger, and decidedly thinner. A good Ak Hissar is intrinsically worth as much as a Kulah of same quality, but, being less rare, may be had for about ten per centum of the cost of a Kulah. This Ak Hissar is a study in rose and green; the niche is rose, the oblong field is green; inside border is canary, next is black; other borders alternate rose and ivory. The pattern above the niche is a Ghiordes conceit, as is the main border.