TEKKE BOKHARA STRIP
Size 1'2" X 4'11"
PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR
(See page [284])
Khiva.—Large detached octagon and diamond forms; goats' hair warp (see doubletone, page [278]).
Tekke.—Small detached octagon and diamond forms (see doubletone, page [282]).
Yomud.—Checker-board effect of selvage on the sides; strands of colored wool in the web (see doubletone, page [286]).
Yarkand.—Generally four strands of woof between each row of knots.
Samarkand.—One or more "circles of happiness"; three or four woof threads between each row of knots; lavish use of yellow and Bokhara red; designs mostly Chinese (see doubletone, page [290]).
Beluchistan.—Sides frequently finished in horse hair; dark subdued colors. If there is any white it is nearly always in one of the border stripes (see doubletone, page [296]).
By carefully consulting these characteristics and the chart of distinguishing features it ought to be a comparatively easy matter to take up almost any rug and name it after a few moments' reflection. To illustrate, try your skill on the following description: Knot—Senna, weave close and rows of knots very uneven; warp and woof both of undyed cotton. Pile of very fine wool, short and upright; ends both have narrow white webs through which runs a strand of parti-colored yarn. There is also a fringe of loose warp ends. The sides are overcast with silk. There is a diamond-shaped pole medallion upon a field which is covered with a minute Herati design; the colors are subdued shades of red, blue, green, yellow and old rose with more or less white.
After consulting the table of distinguishing features you will find that the Senna knot excludes all Caucasian and Turkish fabrics; the cotton warp and woof excludes all Turkoman fabrics excepting the Kashgar and the Yarkand. The overcasting of the sides, as well as the Herati design, excludes these two, therefore it must belong to the Persian class. A great many of this class are tied with the Senna knot; have cotton warp and woof; a short, upright wool pile and narrow webs with loose warp ends, but only two are ever overcast with silk, namely the Senna and the Saruk. Upon referring to the characteristic features mentioned in the first part of this chapter (page [148]) you will see that the Herati design is common to both of these rugs, but that the uneven weave, the pole medallion and the strand of colored yarn in the web are all Senna features, therefore you have a Senna.
A thorough knowledge of designs and colors would have enabled you to name the piece at first sight, as would also the character of the weave in this particular instance.
Most of the prayer rugs may be accurately classified by consulting the chart illustrating rug niches (page [322]), while the distinguishing characteristics of the different Ghileems may be found in the chapter on Ghileems.
Characteristic Backs of Rugs