Oriental Rugs, Antique and Modern

by W. A. Hawley

Whatever may be lacking in artistic drawing is frequently atoned for by the excellence of the colour scheme, which occasionally rivals that of the Ghiordes and Kulahs. Rich reds or blues are almost invariably found in the fields, where there is sufficient depth of nap to enhance their richness; and the borders are brightened by attractive tones of yellow, green, and white. Contrasted with these old pieces, the modern rugs of Konieh have little artistic merit, but are large pieces desirable solely for their durability.

Type Characteristics. Colours, principally red and blue, with minor quantities of yellow, green, and white. Knot, Ghiordes. Knots to inch horizontally five to eight; perpendicularly, six to ten. The rows of knots are not very firmly pressed down. Warp, wool; each of the two threads encircled by a knot is equally prominent at back. Weft, wool, of medium diameter, dyed red. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, wool, of medium length. Border, from two to five stripes, with frequently an outer edging. Sides, generally a selvage of two or three cords, but occasionally an overcasting. Both ends, a web and warp fringe. Texture, only moderately firm. Weave at back is of slightly coarse grain. Usual length, four and one half to six feet. Usual width, three fifths to three quarters length.

Ladiks.—On the ruins of ancient Laodicea is the mud-walled town of the village of Ladik, once the centre of an important rug industry. Among the surrounding hills are still woven pieces which resemble in pattern, though they poorly imitate in weave and colour, the early prototypes that have been classed among the masterpieces of Asia Minor. Few of these old rugs remain, and they are often badly worn in spots; yet they display tones mellowed by the touch of more than a century, and rival the Ghiordes in beauty of design.

As is the case with other classes of rugs woven in Turkish countries, the sedjadehs and odjaliks lack the interesting details of the namazliks, from which they widely differ. On the central fields of many of them are oblong hexagonal-shaped medallions, often three in number, that contain designs of stars or other geometric figures. Between the fields and the borders of the ends are generally spacious panels, on which are represented rows of vandykes. These figures are one of the most permanent characteristics of this class of rugs; and though their origin is uncertain, it is not improbable that they are derived from arrowheads, which were one of the emblems of the Chaldean deity Hoa, the reputed inventor of Cufic writing. The borders are also geometric, consisting, as a rule, of three stripes, of which the central contains an angular vine that in different pieces may be very simple or very ornate. One of the central stripes often adopted is represented in Plate [G], Fig. 10 (opp. Page 192) and shows a vine with conventionalised leaf. Latch-hooks are common in the sedjadehs, and when floral forms are present the fact is generally disguised by the harsh, mechanical drawing.

In contrast with these pieces, the namazliks with their interesting arches and dainty drawing are most pleasing. In a large number of them the central fields occupy about one half the space within the border, the spandrels extend for a considerable distance above the arch, and the panels are larger than in any other prayer rug. Occasionally arches resembling those of the Ghiordes or Kir-Shehrs are seen; but they are to be regarded merely as copies, since the typical arch differs widely from any other and gives to this class one of its greatest charms. Instead of rising to the apex in lines of many serrations, each side of the arch rises from the border and falls in one large serration, then rises again to form the niche. The arch is often fringed with latch-hooks, and extending above the apex of each serration and the niche are perpendicular devices that may, also, be a development of the latch-hook, since they have not been traced to any other satisfactory origin. But whatever their origin may be, their shape as well as that of the arch at once suggests Saracenic mosques. In the spandrel are constantly seen serrated leaves, rosettes, and designs peculiar to the Ladik. The large panel is equally typical, and consists of reciprocally drawn vandykes, from which rise perpendicular stems supporting leaves and pomegranates. These are generally five in number, and are so gracefully and naturalistically drawn that it seems surprising that the vandykes, from which they spring, are ornamented with a profusion of latch-hooks. The central fields are sometimes without ornament, but as a rule they contain some suggestions of the tree of life either in the central design or in the three-leaf sprigs arranged about the borders. The latter are as characteristic as any other part of the rug, and consist of four stripes separated by dotted lines. The main stripe most frequently contains a row of delicately drawn lilies alternating with rosettes, though occasionally a very formal vine with conventionalised leaf is substituted for it. In the stripes at each side are very angular vines with three-cleft leaves, and in the narrow innermost stripe is generally a ribbon pattern.

All of the drawing has clear definition accentuated by rich and strongly contrasting colours. The fields of the namazliks, like those of the Ghiordes, are entirely occupied by masses of unshaded blue, red, or brown, that are relieved only by the colours of superimposed designs. But as is not the case with Ghiordes, there is often a strong contrast between the colours of centre and ends; yet the tones are always in perfect harmony. Other rugs may have more delicate drawing or more exquisite finish; but in the barbaric arrangement of strong colour and in the uniqueness of graceful designs, none exceed the old prayer Ladiks.

Plate 42. Chichi Rug

Type Characteristics. Colours, principally red and blue, with minor quantities of green, yellow, and brown. Knot, Ghiordes. Knots to inch horizontally nine to twelve; perpendicularly, ten to thirteen. A half knot as it appears at back is longer than wide. The rows of knots are pressed down so that the warp is concealed at back. Warp, wool. One of the two threads encircled by a knot is generally depressed below the other at the back. Weft, wool of fine diameter, generally dyed red. A thread of weft crosses twice between every two rows of knots. Pile, wool, of medium length. Border, three to five stripes. Sides, a red added selvage of two or three cords. Both ends, a narrow web and warp fringe. Texture, moderately firm. Weave at back is of medium grain. Usual length, four and one half to seven feet. Usual width, three fifths to two thirds length.