KHIVA BOKHARA
Synonym.—Afghan.
Why So Named.—After the city of Khiva, in the province of Bokhara, from the vicinity of which they come. The name Afghan is sometimes used because some of the inhabitants of northern Afghanistan contribute to the supply.
By Whom Made.—By the Kirzig tribe of Nomads living in the province of Bokhara and in Northern Afghanistan.
Knot.—Senna. Number vertically seven to twelve; number horizontally six to eight; number to square inch forty-two to ninety-six.
Warp.—Dark wool or goats' hair.
Woof.—Black or gray wool or goats' hair.
Nap.—Fine lustrous wool or goats' hair of various lengths.
Weave.—Loosely tied so that on the back it has the appearance of the Ghiordes knot.
Sides.—Usually a wide selvage of black or dark brown goats' hair, sometimes containing as many as seven cords.
Ends.—Wide selvage at each end in plain red or striped with blue lines. The long, shaggy fringe of the loose goats' hair warp is a characteristic feature.
KHIVA BOKHARA (AFGHAN) CARPET
PROPERTY OF PROF. DELMAR HAWKINS
Border.—From two to four narrow border stripes, usually three.
Prevailing Colors.—A lavish use of the Turkoman reds in the field with designs in blue, orange, brown, green, and white.
Dyes.—Good in the antiques. Nearly all of the new pieces are chemically dyed.
Designs.—The octagon is almost universally employed and is quartered by alternating colors. Animal forms are seldom seen. The prayer form is also seldom found.
Prices.—$1.25 to $2.00 per square foot.
Sizes.—They are the largest of the Turkoman rugs, being nearly always in carpet sizes and almost square, six to nine by eight to eleven feet.
Remarks.—One of the best inexpensive rugs on the market. Coarser and heavier than the other Turkoman products and in damp weather they are liable to have more or less of the smell of goats. The Khiva is about the only antique carpet now on the market.
THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED
Knot: Senna. Ten to the inch vertically and seven horizontally, making seventy to the square inch; unusually close for a rug of this class.
This piece is of an unusually fine grade with a long nap and beautiful colors. The field, like that of nearly all Khivas, is filled with conventional octagon and diamond forms with a small eight-pointed star between each.
Shortell Rug (page [120]).—Prayer rugs of this particular class are extremely rare and the peculiar prayer niche in this one is certainly most unique and unusual. Note the hands in the two upper corners of the field. It is on these that the worshipper is supposed to place his hands while prostrating himself in the act of prayer.
KHIVA BOKHARA (AFGHAN) CARPET
PROPERTY OF PROF. DELMAR HAWKINS