KIR SHEHR
Synonyms.—Kirit Shehr, Kirshehir, Kirshcher.
Why So Named.—After a town of that name in Turkey just southeast of Smyrna, where they are made.
Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically seven to twelve; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch forty-two to one hundred twenty.
Warp.—Wool, dyed the predominating color of the rug.
Woof.—Wool, dyed the predominating color of the rug.
Nap.—Long, fluffy wool.
Sides.—Colored selvage, sometimes added.
Ends.—A colored web of various lengths at each end, also a fringe of loose or braided warp ends. Some of the smaller mats have on these webs several parti-colored tufts composed of all the different colored yarns which are used in the body of the rug.
Border.—From five to eight border stripes, most frequently five, the main stripe carrying the most pretentious form of ornamentation.
Prevailing Colors.—Brilliant reds, blues, and greens, especially the latter, of which there are phenomenal shades skilfully blended.
KIR SHEHR PRAYER RUG
PROPERTY OF E. B. GUILE, UTICA, N. Y.
Dyes.—As a rule splendid.
Designs.—Attempted Persian designs. Prayer design with one cross panel at the bottom instead of at the top as in the Kulah.
Sizes.—Medium sizes only, two and one-half to four by four to six feet.
Prices.—From $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.
Remarks.—They are very scarce in the United States. They resemble the Bergama and are thick and durable.
THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED
Owner's Description.—Ghiordes knot, 7 horizontal by 10 vertical. An unusual specimen of Kir Shehr in prayer design, marked by a radical departure from the accepted type of prayer arch formation peculiar to this weave. The flatness of the arch and the multiplicity of borders and stripes suggest Kula influence. The outer border, on ivory, has a conventionalized floral design, green, yellow and pale blue flower devices on waving vine tracery. Two medium stripes in different red values enclose the second border, which carries the S device in lavender and blue on black. The inner border displays the carnation in blue, lavender and red on canary. The prayer field is flat and non-serrate at top, border outlined in an ancient Kir Shehr motif in red and ash white on light blue. About the mihrab is an arrangement of carnations, while the top of arch and on outer side of field are more pinks and a small shrub device. The field is in shades of rose, the softened end result of an original magenta, and carries three plateaus superposed, each sustaining four trees; two bearing fruits outlined against soft green foliage, and the other two, coniferæ. Between each outer pair of trees is a little temple. Above and below in the field are curious devices evidently picturing some presumably sacred edifice. This rug bears evidence of age and use, while the chromatic ensemble is soft and refined. Technically, it has a two strand yellow selvage; two red wool weft threads between each row of knots, and a two strand cream wool warp. Both ends are finished with a short, light brown web and plain, long fringe.
Siegel Rug.—This piece is similar to one exhibited in the Berlin museum under the name of Kir Shehr, although it has some characteristics of other Anatolian products, such as the Kulah, the Konieh and the Meles. Having only the photograph to assist us in the classification, we are obliged to accept that of the Berlin connoisseur.
Stanton Rug (page [130]).—The small border stripes in this piece are Kulah in character, while the main stripe is found more or less in all the Anatolian products, especially the Ghiordes.