Why So Named.—After the city of Samarkand, a city of Western Turkestan in the valley of Zarab-Shan, one hundred miles east of Bokhara, which was once the centre of learning in Asia, having had several universities there.
Where Made.—In the vicinity of Samarkand.
Knot.—Nearly always the Senna, seldom the Ghiordes. Number vertically five to seven; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch thirty to seventy.
Warp.—Wool, cotton or silk, usually dyed blue or yellow.
Woof.—In the antiques cotton or wool. In the moderns cotton. Like the Kazaks there are three or four woof threads between each row of knots.
Nap.—Good, heavy, loose, lustrous wool. Sometimes silk or a mixture of silk and wool.
Weave.—Loosely woven.
Sides.—Antiques have a narrow selvage added sometimes with two colors like the Yomuds. Modern pieces are overcast.
Ends.—Similar to those of the Turkoman products. Wide web with fringe of loose or twisted warp threads.
Border.—From three to five border stripes, usually three. The inner border usually carries the Greek meander, the outer one floral designs and the middle one figures corresponding to the central designs. The undulating vine and lotus pattern are frequently used.