Type Characteristics. Colours, principally red, blue, and brown, with minor quantities of white. Knot, Sehna. Knots to inch horizontally six to nine; perpendicularly, seven to ten. The rows of knots are usually pressed down, so that the warp does not show at back. Warp, wool; each of the two threads encircled by a knot is equally prominent at back, or one is slightly depressed below the other. Weft, of coarse, wiry wool, of medium diameter. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, wool, and occasionally camel’s hair, of medium length. Border, three stripes. Sides, a heavy goat’s hair selvage of three or four cords. Both ends, a broad embroidered web with warp fringe. Texture, slightly loose. Weave at back is moderately coarse. Usual length, four and one half to six feet. Usual width, two thirds to three quarters length.
BORDER STRIPES
The border stripes of the Central Asiatic group are even more geometric than the Caucasian; for it is rarely that any floral forms are seen in them, though they may appear in the pile that extends beyond the borders of the ends. Even the vines are so angular as almost to lose their identity. Octagonal figures, stars, frets, and latch-hooks are common. In fact, the group as a whole, shows the influence of the Caucasian and Chinese groups more than the Persian.
PRIMARY STRIPES
The stripe shown in Plate [L], Fig. 1 (opp. Page 250) is one of many found in the rugs known as Royal Bokharas. The eight-pointed stars, as well as the small tent-like designs, which may have been derived from the headstalls of horses, are almost always found in it.
A well-known stripe of Princess Bokharas corresponding with the pattern of the field, appears in Plate [L], Fig. 2. It represents a continuous series of designs shaped like a Y, that were doubtless derived from forms of trees. More frequently the stripe (Fig. 3) of broad, serrated diagonal lines, that originally may have been intended to represent foliage, is seen.
Another stripe found in Princess Bokharas and also in Tekkes and Khivas is shown in Plate [L], Fig. 4. It forcibly suggests the Chinese fret. Sometimes it is used as a primary but more frequently as a secondary stripe.
In Plate [L], Fig. 5, is a stripe frequently seen in Tekkes, which is interesting on account of the eight-pointed stars and latch-hooks similar to those of Caucasian rugs. Without doubt this is only one of the many instances illustrating the migration of designs.
Plate [L], Fig. 6 represents a stripe peculiar to Yomuds. The running vine is most mechanically drawn and fringed with latch-hooks, which are a constant feature of this class.