LADIK
Why So Named.—A corruption of the word Laodicea, the name of a most primitive old town of 500 population in the midst of a mound of ruins near Konieh, where they are made.
Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.
LADIK PRAYER RUG
Size 5'10" × 3'11"
PROPERTY OF COLONEL GEORGE G. BRIGGS, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.
Warp.—Always wool, generally of a fine texture and dyed the predominating color of the rug.
Woof.—Always wool and usually dyed the predominating color of the rug.
Nap.—In the antiques the finest, selected, lustrous wool, which is generally cut short. In the moderns a coarse wool of loose texture.
Weave.—Antiques closely and evenly woven. Moderns loosely woven.
Sides.—A fairly wide colored selvage, made by weaving the woof threads upon three or four of the outside warp threads. Sometimes the selvage is added.
Ends.—Usually a two-or three-inch red web at each end, which is frequently striped with yellow or blue. A fringe formed by the loose warp ends.
Border.—From three to five border stripes, generally three, one wide one with a narrow one on each side. The main border stripe in many of the oldest specimens has the Rhodian lily design alternating with the rosette.
Prevailing Colors.—Subdued rich colors. Usually greens, reds, blues, and yellows, with more or less old ivory or white. Magenta is very frequently employed.
Dyes.—Good, as a rule.
Designs.—Prayer design most frequent. The pattern is so characteristic as to be unmistakable. Figures are usually bold and large in comparison to the size of the rug. The prayer niche always contains five tree-like branches alternately capped with a floral and a geometrical design. A mosque lamp usually hangs from the niche.
Sizes.—Prayer rug sizes and mats similar to the so-called "Anatolian" mats.
Prices.—From $1.75 to $3.50 per square foot.
Remarks.—Not many modern ones. They somewhat resemble the Bergama, but are somewhat brighter and heavier.
THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED
Maj. L. B. Lawton's Description.—Choice antique Ladiks are considerably rarer than either Kulahs or Ghiordes. Many collectors owning all other Anatolians have never seen a Ladik. This weave almost invariably shows the Rhodian lilies both above and below the niche. The specimen here shown has a rich red field doubly hooked with gold; spaces above and below are gentian blue, main border is yellow. This latter color has until recently been in disfavor with American collectors; but the French and German critics have always shown a great liking for yellow, and it is now coming into its own in America.
See also color plate at page [74].
YURUK RUG
Size 4'2" × 6'3"
PROPERTY OF MR. F. A. TURNER, BOSTON, MASS.