1919.

CONTENTS
CHAP.PAGE
PREFACE[iii]
I.HISTORY[1]
II.MATERIALS[9]
III.DYEING[13]
IV.HAND-MADE CARPETS[20]
V.BRUSSELS CARPETS[29]
VI.WILTON CARPETS[44]
VII.AXMINSTER CARPETS[49]
VIII.CHENILLE CARPETS[63]
IX.TAPESTRY CARPETS[71]
X.INGRAIN CARPETS[86]
XI.DESIGN AND COLOUR[92]
XII.STATISTICS[104]
XIII.EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED[107]
XIV.CONCLUSION[119]
INDEX[123]
ILLUSTRATIONS
FIG.PAGE
BRITISH FINE WILTON CARPETFrontispiece
1.TURKISH, KNOT[21]
2.LONGITUDINAL SECTION THROUGH HEALDS, HARNESS, SLEY, AND FABRIC[33]
3.SECTION OF FIVE-FRAME BRUSSELS CARPET[35]
4.SECTION OF THREE-FRAME BRUSSELS CARPET[36]
5.AND 5A. CHLIDEMA SQUARE[41]
6.SECTION OF FIVE-FRAME WILTON[45]
7.SECTION OF IMPERIAL AXMINSTER—3-SHOT[51]
8.SECTION OF AXMINSTER—3-SHOT[52]
9.SECTIONS OF AXMINSTER WEAVES[53]
10.TUFTING MECHANISM[55]
11.CHENILLE DESIGN PAPER CUT UP[64]
12.CHENILLE CLOTH[65]
13.TRANSVERSE SECTION SHOWING FUR INSERTED[65]
14.SECTION OF CHENILLE AXMINSTER[67]
15.DESIGN OF TAPESTRY CARPET[72]
16.DESIGN IN FIG. 15 ELONGATED AS PRINTED[73]
17.PRINTING DRUM[76]
18.SCALE AND DESIGN BOARD COMBINED[78]
19.A SCRAPER[80]
20.PRINTED THREADS SET FOR WINDING ON TO THE BEAM[81]
21.FIG. 20 AS WOVEN[82]
22.STRUCTURE OF TAPESTRY CARPET[82]
23.MEDIUM TAPESTRY CARPET[83]
24.TAPESTRY VELVET—3-SHOT[83]
25.TAPESTRY VELVET[84]
26.TAPESTRY VELVET—2 SHOTS IN THE GROUND[84]
27.TWO-PLY IN WARP AND WEFT[86]
28.TWO-PLY WARP AND WEFT[88]
29.THREE-PLY WARP AND TWO-PLY WEFT[88]
30.THREE-PLY WARP AND WEFT[89]

CARPETS

CHAPTER I
HISTORY

Before the mechanical processes involved in the manufacture of carpets to-day are described, a short sketch of the history of the fabric and the story of its introduction into this country may be of interest. The origin of the weaver’s loom, like that of the potter’s wheel, dates back to the prehistoric times. A loom with its workers is shown in an ancient Egyptian fresco, the date of which is reckoned by antiquarians to be about 3,000 years before the Christian Era. In the grottoes of Benihassan, both spinners and weavers are shown, the weavers working on cloths both plain and of a checked pattern; and both perpendicular and horizontal looms are represented. There were, however, other civilisations beside the Egyptian; and the origin of the carpet must be sought still further to the East, in places where, in spite of the ebb and flow of conquests, it is still made at the present day.

Mention is frequently found in ancient records of history of rich hangings, coverings, fine cloths and tapestries, generally the booty of some conqueror; but it is difficult to tell whether some fabric used exclusively as the carpet of to-day is used is included in these lists. The ancient equivalent of the modern carpet or rug was known to the Babylonians, who were, according to Pliny, skilful weavers; and its manufacture was carried on at an early date among the Assyrians and Persians, in China and India, and among the Arabs.