iaz,
Troyon, or Daubigny; and in monetary supremacy they overtop the rarest and
grandest of Chinese porcelains.

And yet the Oriental rug, as against such competitors for the wealthy
collectors' favour, has hardly a history, and is practically without a
name or a pedigree. Experts will tell you at a glance whether or not your
Wouverman is genuine, or inform you where every true Corot was owned or
whence it was bartered or stolen. In Chinese porcelains, the knowing
dealer will easily prove to you not only under what dynasty but in what
decade or year a particular piece was produced.

The painting has descent, signature, or the brush mark of a school to
father it. The Chinese vase, bowl, or jar has its marks, cyphers, stamps
and dates, and an undoubted genealogy to vouch for its authenticity. The
rug must speak for itself and go upon its intrinsic merits. It is its own
guarantee and certificate of artistic and financial value.

The study of Oriental rugs, therefore, can never lead to an exact science
or approximate dogmatic knowledge. Whoever is interested in them must
needs rely upon his personal judgment or the seller's advice. There is
practically only one current book authority in the premises.

A new volume on the subject would thus seem to be well justified. It is
the hope of the author that this book may prove itself sound and
practical, and that it may help to make more clear and simple the right
appreciation of a valuable rug.

W. D. ELLWANGER

ROCHESTER, N.Y., 1903

CONTENTS

Chapter Page

I. THE MYSTERY OF THE RUG 3

II. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 13

III. OF THE MAKING, AND OF DESIGNS, BORDERS, ETC. 21

IV. OF THE DYEING 35

V. OF PERSIAN RUGS, SPECIFICALLY 43

VI. CAUCASIAN RUGS, DAGHESTAN AND RUSSIAN TYPES 61

VII. OF TURKISH VARIETIES 69

VIII. TURKOMAN OR TURKESTAN RUGS 79

IX. OF ORIENTAL CARPETS, SADDLE-BAGS, PILLOWS, ETC. 93

X. AUCTIONS, AUCTIONEERS, AND DEALERS 107

XI. INSCRIPTIONS AND DATES 121

XII. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND PARTICULAR ADVICE 131

LIST OF PLATES

PLATE

I. LADIK _Frontispiece_

II.