The term "Turkey" includes all portions of Asia Minor, the principal rug-weaving districts of which are Anatolia and Kurdistan.

The annual importations of rugs into the United States alone from Asia Minor amount to from $2,500,000 to $3,000,000, most of which are shipped directly from Constantinople. In many parts of Asia Minor, especially in Oushak, Smyrna, Ghiordes, Kulah, and Sivas, nearly every home has a loom, some two or three, and in many places factories have been established by European and American capitalists; the weavers are almost all Armenian women and children, the latter ranging from four to thirteen years of age. Moslem women and children will not work in factories. As a rule these people earn barely enough to clothe and feed themselves, but those who have been able to lay by anything generally invest their earnings in carpets, as people of other countries often do in diamonds and precious stones, handing them down from generation to generation and selling one when hard pressed for money, so that the tourist is often surprised to find in the homes a collection of very valuable rugs.

The Ghiordes knot is used exclusively and both warp and woof are always of wool or goats' hair. Fully four-fifths of the present output are aniline dyed. The weave is coarser and the nap longer than in the Persian class and many of them are crooked.

The designs, which vary little, are more geometrical than are those of the Caucasians. The Turks never weave figures of birds, animals and human beings, as their religion forbids it. Those with a cross are always Armenian, as the Turks do not decorate with the cross, while those with the prayer niche are always Turkish, as the Armenians never pray on their rugs. Green, the sacred color of the Mohammedans, is seldom used except in the prayer rugs or those designed for mosques. Most of the large Turkish carpets are modern and are made near Smyrna. Many of the modern fabrics bear no relation to antiques of the same name.

The southern part of Armenia is called Kurdistan. It is inhabited by wandering, warlike tribes of Nomads, who pasture their flocks in the southern plains in the winter and go to the mountain districts in the summer time.

The Kurds possess the skill of shading their colors, but this they have abandoned of late. They also scatter small bits of color through a space otherwise unoccupied. Red is their favorite color.

On the following pages is given a detailed description of the various Turkish rugs.

KIR SHEHR

Synonyms.—Kirit Shehr, Kirshehir, Kirshcher.

Why So Named.—After a town of that name in Turkey just southeast of Smyrna, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically seven to twelve; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch forty-two to one hundred twenty.

Warp.—Wool, dyed the predominating color of the rug.

Woof.—Wool, dyed the predominating color of the rug.

Nap.—Long, fluffy wool.

Sides.—Colored selvage, sometimes added.

Ends.—A colored web of various lengths at each end, also a fringe of loose or braided warp ends. Some of the smaller mats have on these webs several parti-colored tufts composed of all the different colored yarns which are used in the body of the rug.

Border.—From five to eight border stripes, most frequently five, the main stripe carrying the most pretentious form of ornamentation.

Prevailing Colors.—Brilliant reds, blues, and greens, especially the latter, of which there are phenomenal shades skilfully blended.

Dyes.—As a rule splendid.

Designs.—Attempted Persian designs. Prayer design with one cross panel at the bottom instead of at the top as in the Kulah.

Sizes.—Medium sizes only, two and one-half to four by four to six feet.

Prices.—From $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—They are very scarce in the United States. They resemble the Bergama and are thick and durable.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

Owner's Description.—Ghiordes knot, 7 horizontal by 10 vertical. An unusual specimen of Kir Shehr in prayer design, marked by a radical departure from the accepted type of prayer arch formation peculiar to this weave. The flatness of the arch and the multiplicity of borders and stripes suggest Kula influence. The outer border, on ivory, has a conventionalized floral design, green, yellow and pale blue flower devices on waving vine tracery. Two medium stripes in different red values enclose the second border, which carries the S device in lavender and blue on black. The inner border displays the carnation in blue, lavender and red on canary. The prayer field is flat and non-serrate at top, border outlined in an ancient Kir Shehr motif in red and ash white on light blue. About the mihrab is an arrangement of carnations, while the top of arch and on outer side of field are more pinks and a small shrub device. The field is in shades of rose, the softened end result of an original magenta, and carries three plateaus superposed, each sustaining four trees; two bearing fruits outlined against soft green foliage, and the other two, coniferÆ. Between each outer pair of trees is a little temple. Above and below in the field are curious devices evidently picturing some presumably sacred edifice. This rug bears evidence of age and use, while the chromatic ensemble is soft and refined. Technically, it has a two strand yellow selvage; two red wool weft threads between each row of knots, and a two strand cream wool warp. Both ends are finished with a short, light brown web and plain, long fringe.

Siegel Rug.—This piece is similar to one exhibited in the Berlin museum under the name of Kir Shehr, although it has some characteristics of other Anatolian products, such as the Kulah, the Konieh and the Meles. Having only the photograph to assist us in the classification, we are obliged to accept that of the Berlin connoisseur.

Stanton Rug (page 130).—The small border stripes in this piece are Kulah in character, while the main stripe is found more or less in all the Anatolian products, especially the Ghiordes.

OUSHAK

Why So Named.—After the city of Oushak, one of the greatest rug markets of Asia Minor, on account of its railroad connection with the Mediterranean seaboard.

By Whom Made.—Mostly by Greek Mohammedans who reside in the vicinity of Oushak.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to ten; number to square inch sixteen to eighty.

Warp.—Wool of the same grade as that in the pile. It is generally dyed the predominating color of the rug.

Woof.—Wool, same as that used for the warp and pile, and it also is dyed.

Nap.—Good wool of varying lengths.

Weave.—Loosely woven.

Sides.—No rule.

Ends.—No rule; most frequently a short green or red web with loose warp threads.

Border.—No rule; usually three border stripes, one wide one with a narrow one on each side.

Prevailing Colors.—Usually bright reds, greens, blues, browns, and yellows, with more or less white.

Dyes.—Aniline mostly.

Designs.—No rule. Generally large medallions and geometrical figures. Some are patterned after the Persians and some after the Turkish designs, but the great majority are European.

Sizes.—Mostly carpet sizes from ten to twenty-five by fifteen to fifty feet. Usually nearly square.

Prices.—$0.75 to $2.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—There are several varieties which in order of excellence are named Gulistan, Enile, Kerman, Yaprak and Sparta.

KARAMAN

Synonym.—Kaba Karaman.

Why So Named.—After the town of Karaman, southeast of Konieh, where they are made by Nomadic tribes of Turkoman descent. The word "Kaba" means coarse.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically four to six; number horizontally four to eight; number to square inch ten to forty-eight.

Warp.—Coarse wool. Usually dyed red.

Woof.—Always coarse wool. Usually dyed red.

Nap.—Of medium or long, coarse wool.

Weave.—Very loosely woven.

Sides.—Usually overcast, sometimes selvaged.

Ends.—No special rule. Frequently short web with loose warp threads.

Border.—Usually from three to five border stripes; one wide one with one or two narrow ones on either side.

Prevailing Colors.—Usually a great deal of white with dark reds, blues, greens, and yellows.

Dyes.—Good in antiques, poor in the moderns.

Designs.—Rather bold Caucasian designs.

Sizes.—Most of those which come to America are small.

Prices.—Very cheap, from $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—Coarse and unattractive but rather durable.

KONIEH

Synonym.—Koniah.

Why So Named.—After the city of Konieh (the ancient Iconium), capital of the province of the same name, where rug weaving is an important industry.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally seven to ten; number to square inch fifty-six to one hundred twenty.

Warp.—Fine wool in the antiques; coarse wool in the moderns; frequently dyed.

Woof.—Fine wool in the antiques; coarse wool in the moderns.

Nap.—Fine selected wool of medium length.

Weave.—Antiques evenly and tightly woven; moderns loose and irregular in weave.

Sides.—Antiques usually selvaged, moderns usually overcast.

Ends.—Web and selvage, sometimes fringe of loose warp ends.

Border.—As a rule there are from three to four border stripes, one wide one and two or three narrow ones.

Prevailing Colors.—Antiques have soft shades of blue, red, and yellow. No rule in the moderns. Often there are two colors in one yarn.

Dyes.—Splendid in the antiques. Some of the modern ones are aniline dyed.

Designs.—Rather crude. Generally plain centre. Prayer design common.

Sizes.—Three to five by four to seven. Also mats.

Prices.—Antiques rare; from $2.00 to $10.00 per square foot. Moderns from $1.00 to $2.25 per square foot.

Remarks.—The modern pieces are large and thick. They resemble the Oushak carpets. Some of them are of sterling texture and good color and design, while others are very coarse and cheap in every way.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

Maj. L. B. Lawton's Description.—A most unique and rare specimen of an obscure Anatolian weave. Good Koniehs are quite as scarce as good Kulahs or Ghiordes, are less known and have therefore less demand. The right and left Rhodian lilies are green, the centre one is azure—all on rose pink. The space above shades from Nile green to sea green. Main border is golden buff. This old rug is as thick as a Kazak. For softness of tone it rivals the most delicate silk rug.

Mercer Rug (page 138).—This is a rug of considerable age, and a very fine specimen of its kind. The center is in soft tints of undyed wool, while the peacock blues of the field above the niche are almost metallic in their brilliancy and lustre. The delicate form of the Rhodian lily is used with much nicety of feeling throughout the border and to break the mass of the centre. (Owner's description.)

MUJUR

Synonym.—Maden.

Why So Named.—After the city of Mujur in the Kir Shehr district of the Province of Konieh, from which they come.

Knot.—Always the Ghiordes.

Warp.—Always the wool.

Woof.—Wool, dyed red.

Nap.—Short wool.

Borders.—Usually three border stripes, one wide one, with a narrow one on either side. The main stripe usually carries floral forms arranged in square or diamond shaped medallions. The reciprocal saw teeth design is frequently employed.

Ends.—Usually a wide red web with or without short knotted warp ends.

Sides.—Finished with a three or four corded selvage.

Prevailing Colors.—Red, green, blue, cream, and yellow.

Designs.—This class of rug nearly always comes in the prayer form. There is generally a cross panel above the prayer niche and the field is, as a rule, filled with designs.

Sizes.—From two and a half to five feet wide by four to seven long.

Prices.—Rather high on account of their scarcity. From $2.00 to $10.00 a square foot.

Remarks.—This class of rugs is so rare that it is not mentioned by any of the American or English authors.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Owner's Description.—This rug comes from the town of Maden, in the Kir Shehr district of Konieh province. Mudjar, a better known rug producing town, is within twenty miles. It has the remarkable wool and dye qualities that make the production of Kir Shehr. This rug is so very bright that the assertion that it is fifty to seventy-five years old might be disputed, but the unequal color erosion, the remarkable bald shine of the back, and the well marked thinning of the pile where the knees of the devotee rested while at his devotion, evidence its antiquity. The panel of lavender above the prayer arch is notable, as is the pigeon blood ruby of the field. While this rug has evidently done duty for many years, it was probably folded away after use at prayer, and given little exposure to sunlight.

LADIK

Why So Named.—A corruption of the word Laodicea, the name of a most primitive old town of 500 population in the midst of a mound of ruins near Konieh, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.

Warp.—Always wool, generally of a fine texture and dyed the predominating color of the rug.

Woof.—Always wool and usually dyed the predominating color of the rug.

Nap.—In the antiques the finest, selected, lustrous wool, which is generally cut short. In the moderns a coarse wool of loose texture.

Weave.—Antiques closely and evenly woven. Moderns loosely woven.

Sides.—A fairly wide colored selvage, made by weaving the woof threads upon three or four of the outside warp threads. Sometimes the selvage is added.

Ends.—Usually a two-or three-inch red web at each end, which is frequently striped with yellow or blue. A fringe formed by the loose warp ends.

Border.—From three to five border stripes, generally three, one wide one with a narrow one on each side. The main border stripe in many of the oldest specimens has the Rhodian lily design alternating with the rosette.

Prevailing Colors.—Subdued rich colors. Usually greens, reds, blues, and yellows, with more or less old ivory or white. Magenta is very frequently employed.

Dyes.—Good, as a rule.

Designs.—Prayer design most frequent. The pattern is so characteristic as to be unmistakable. Figures are usually bold and large in comparison to the size of the rug. The prayer niche always contains five tree-like branches alternately capped with a floral and a geometrical design. A mosque lamp usually hangs from the niche.

Sizes.—Prayer rug sizes and mats similar to the so-called "Anatolian" mats.

Prices.—From $1.75 to $3.50 per square foot.

Remarks.—Not many modern ones. They somewhat resemble the Bergama, but are somewhat brighter and heavier.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Maj. L. B. Lawton's Description.—Choice antique Ladiks are considerably rarer than either Kulahs or Ghiordes. Many collectors owning all other Anatolians have never seen a Ladik. This weave almost invariably shows the Rhodian lilies both above and below the niche. The specimen here shown has a rich red field doubly hooked with gold; spaces above and below are gentian blue, main border is yellow. This latter color has until recently been in disfavor with American collectors; but the French and German critics have always shown a great liking for yellow, and it is now coming into its own in America.

See also color plate at page 74.

YURUK

Synonyms.—Yurouk, Yaruk.

Why So Named.—The word "Yuruk" means mountaineer, and the rugs are so named because they are woven by the mountaineers who wander with their flocks on the southern and middle ranges of Anatolia.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically six to twelve; number horizontally seven to ten; number to square inch fifty-six to one hundred twenty.

Warp.—Brown wool or goats' hair. Frequently dyed.

Woof.—Brown wool or goats' hair. Frequently dyed.

Nap.—Fine, long, fluffy, lustrous wool, sometimes mixed with goats' hair.

Weave.—Loosely woven as a rule.

Sides.—Selvaged with goats' hair or overcast with colored yarns.

Ends.—Narrow colored webs with warp ends braided.

Border.—Usually two or three stripes, which are, as a rule, rather narrow in proportion to the size of the rug.

Prevailing Colors.—Brilliant dark colors. Browns and blues seem to predominate.

Dyes.—Generally good.

Designs.—Large, irregular, rude geometrical designs, somewhat similar to those of the Kazak. The latch hook is frequently employed.

Sizes.—Usually small.

Prices.—From $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Antiques glossy and rare. The modern ones are invariably crooked and lack symmetry, but wear well. In many respects they resemble the Kazaks.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

In design this piece is more Caucasian than Turkish. The main border design is similar to those so frequently found in the old Shirvans. Note the letter S, borders, the tarantulas and the swastikas.

AK HISSAR

Synonyms.—Akhissar, Aksar, Axar.

Why So Named.—After a town by that name lying in the mountains less than one hundred miles north of Smyrna, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically four to eight; number horizontally four to ten; number to square inch sixteen to eighty.

Warp.—Coarse wool.

Woof.—Coarse wool.

Nap.—Thick wool and mohair.

Weave.—Loosely woven.

Sides.—Usually overcast, occasionally selvaged.

Ends.—Narrow web at each end with loose warp threads.

Border.—Similar to those of the Ghiordes.

Prevailing Colors.—Mostly dark green, red, and blue, with some white.

Dyes.—Like most of the Turkish rugs, the moderns are apt to be chemically dyed.

Designs.—Similar to those of the Ghiordes and Oushak.

Sizes.—From four to six by six to eight feet.

Prices.—Usually cheap.

Remarks.—Similar to the modern Ghiordes. Very few reach the United States.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Maj. L. B. Lawton's Description.—A typical specimen, showing double and single latch hooks in the niche. The eight borders might cause a beginner to name the rug Kulah, except for the reason that Kulahs are paler in tone and usually much larger, and decidedly thinner. A good Ak Hissar is intrinsically worth as much as a Kulah of same quality, but, being less rare, may be had for about ten per centum of the cost of a Kulah. This Ak Hissar is a study in rose and green; the niche is rose, the oblong field is green; inside border is canary, next is black; other borders alternate rose and ivory. The pattern above the niche is a Ghiordes conceit, as is the main border.

ANATOLIAN PROPER

Synonym.—Yesteklik, a name frequently applied to the mats.

Why So Named.—After the country of Anatolia, which is another name for Asia Minor.

Where Made.—Most of them come from the province of Angora and Konieh. The so-called Anatolian mats come from all parts of Anatolia.

Knot.—Always Ghiordes. Number vertically six to fifteen; number horizontally six to ten; number to square inch thirty-six to one hundred fifty.

Warp.—Always wool.

Woof.—Always wool, which is usually dyed.

Nap.—Usually a long, shaggy, soft wool. Sometimes mohair.

Weave.—Very good as a rule, but apt to be somewhat irregular.

Sides.—Always selvaged.

Ends.—Nearly always a wide red webbing with loose warp threads at each end.

Border.—From one to six border stripes, most usually three.

Prevailing Colors.—Rich reds, yellows, greens, and blues, with more or less white.

Dyes.—Good in the antiques. Few modern pieces that are not aniline dyed.

Designs.—Usually bold geometrical designs. Every sort of a device both curved and rectilineal. The latch hook is especially common. The prayer rugs are patterned somewhat after the Ghiordes and Ladik.

Sizes.—From one to four by one and one-half to six feet. Seldom larger.

Prices.—From $0.25 to $3.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Frequently crooked. Attractive on account of their oddity. Very serviceable. Some of the antique Anatolians are made in sections and afterwards sewed together.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

See color plate at page 60 with accompanying description.

BERGAMA

Synonyms.—Bergamo, Pergamo.

Why So Named.—A corruption of the word Pergamo, which is the name of a small village of 3000 inhabitants, about forty miles northeast of Smyrna, where they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically ten to fourteen; number horizontally six to twelve; number to square inch sixty to one hundred sixty-eight.

Warp.—Always dyed wool, usually of a splendid quality.

Woof.—Always dyed wool.

Nap.—The best soft, silky wool, usually quite long.

Weave.—Frequently several woof threads between each row of knots.

Sides.—Usually broad red selvaged sides, made by weaving the woof threads upon three or four outside warp threads. Frequently have small tassels of wool along the sides. The only rug that has these excepting the Shiraz.

Ends.—Rather broad web with braided fringe at each end. The web often carries a woven design or blue stripes. Until recently the Bergama was the only rug which sometimes had rosettes woven on the webbing. Nowadays an occasional Anatolian may be found with this feature.

Border.—From three to five border stripes, usually three. They are generally wide with flowers in profile.

Prevailing Colors.—Red, green, blue, yellow, ivory, and orange. Rather dark.

Dyes.—Nearly always of the best.

Designs.—The Bergama designs are somewhat characteristic. The Bergama weavers are inventors of patterns rather than copyists. Medallions frequent, with a well covered field. Sometimes the checker-board pattern. Figures generally bold and large in proportion to size of the rug.

Sizes.—Usually nearly square. One and one-half to four by two to six feet. Antiques usually run smaller than the modern ones.

Prices.—Rather high. From $2.00 to $10.00 per square foot.

Remarks.—Very scarce.

THE EXAMPLES ILLUSTRATED

Bergama Rug.—The unusual medallion in this piece is characteristic of the Bergama only. In its centre is the octagon and eight-pointed star of the Medes, a motif which is found more or less in nearly all classes of rugs, but in none more frequently than in the Bergama.

The main border stripe is composed of lily blossoms in profile and in full.

Bergama Prayer Rug (see page 46).—Knot: Ghiordes. Number to the inch, horizontally seven; vertically seven; to the square inch, seventy-seven.

Bergama prayer rugs are not often seen in this country and this particular piece is a very uncommon and choice one. The designs are unusual, the colors the best and the nap has the hammered-brass appearance so common in many of the old Bergamas.

The prayer field is of a beautiful terracotta; the space just above the niche is in light and dark blue; the panels carry most peculiar geometrical designs in white, yellow, blue and brown, the upper one on a ground of terracotta and the lower one on a ground of old rose. The main border stripe carries a variety of nameless geometrical designs in red, yellow, blue, brown and drab upon a white background. The outer border stripe consists of an eight-petaled flower alternating with a motif which might have been intended for the wine glass, so frequently found in the Caucasian fabrics.

GHIORDES

Synonyms.—Ghiordez, Gurdiz, Guerdi, Yourdez, Yurdi, and many others.

Why So Named.—After the city of Ghiordes, fifty miles north of Smyrna, where they are made. It is the ancient Gordium from which was named the Gordian knot that Alexander the Great cut.

Knot.—Always the Ghiordes knot. Number vertically eight to fourteen; number horizontally eight to twelve; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.

Warp.—Usually wool, antiques occasionally cotton or silk.

Woof.—Usually cotton, occasionally wool or linen.

Nap.—Short, fine, lustreless wool, occasionally cotton. It has the shortest nap of any of the Turkish rugs. Seldom acquires sheen.

Sides.—Frequently finished with an added silk selvage in pale colors.

Ends.—The fringe on the upper end, as a rule, instead of being a continuation of the warp threads, is a separate piece sewed on.

Border.—From three to ten border stripes, usually one wide and one with from one to four narrower ones on each side. A favorite arrangement is to alternate light and dark border stripes.

Prevailing Colors.—Light blues, yellows, reds, and greens. Usually considerable white or ivory.

Dyes.—Of the best.

Designs.—A great majority of them are of the prayer designs. Usually with a centre of solid color and two cross panels, one at each end of the field.

Sizes.—Usually prayer rug sizes. Modern ones run larger than the antiques.

Prices.—Antiques exceedingly high.

Remarks.—Antiques are among the best, while the modern ones are among the poorest.

THE EXAMPLE ILLUSTRATED

Owner's Description.—The field of this old Ghiordes rug is of jade green, edged with small flower forms in cream, canary color, and brown. The high prayer niche penetrates the light blue space in which is a most symmetrical and formal arrangement of a leaf worked in light green, brown and red. The outer and inner border stripes carry the Ghiordes "Tarantula" design, and in the main border the design is squared off in tile fashion, a stiff leaf in light blue filling one-half the square and two red blossoms with yellow centres the other half. The stems are wrought in dark brown. See also color plate, page 66.

KULAH

Synonyms.—Koula, Coula.

Why So Named.—After the town of Kulah, which is southeast of Ghiordium and east of Smyrna, in the vicinity of which they are made.

Knot.—Ghiordes. Number vertically eight to twelve; number horizontally eight to fourteen; number to square inch sixty-four to one hundred sixty-eight.

Warp.—Always fine wool.

Woof.—Usually fine wool. Moderns occasionally of cotton.

Nap.—Fine, short, silky wool in the antiques, mohair in some of the modern ones.

Weave.—Generally close, well tied knots.

Sides.—Antiques always selvaged, moderns usually overcast and occasionally selvaged.

Ends.—Narrow web with loose warp ends. Generally dyed yellow.

Border.—From seven to fourteen border stripes, having as a rule more than any other class of rugs. Usually one wide stripe with a multiplication of peculiarly marked small ones, which alternate in colors and carry minute designs. A distinguishing feature is the so-called "Kulah" border stripe, which consists of the repetition of a figure which somewhat resembles an alligator and is quite Chinese in character.

Prevailing Colors.—In the antiques, red, blue, golden brown, and yellow are the prevailing colors. The modern ones have a purplish tint instead of crimson.