th a flat surface, however, is probably far
older than that of cut pile carpets, and characteristic of one such old
method is that in the making of Soumak carpets (Plate II. fig. 5), the
ornament of which done in close needle stitches with coloured threads
completely conceals the stout flax or hemp web which is the essential
material of these carpets. Soumak is a distortion of Shernaka, a
Caucasian town in the far east of Asia Minor. But so-called Soumak
carpets are made in other districts, and the particular needlework used
in them is practically of the same kind as that on a smaller scale used
for the well-known Persian Nakshe or woman's trousering, and again that
used on a still smaller scale in the ornamentation of valuable Kashmir
shawls. Quilted and chain-stitched cotton prayer and bath rugs from
Persia are referred to in the article on EMBROIDERY.

Another method of making carpets with a flat surface is that of
tapestry-weaving (see Plate II. fig. 4), which, according to existing
and well-authenticated specimens of considerable antiquity (already
referred to), appears to be the oldest of any historic process of
ornamental weaving (see TAPESTRY).

Motives in traditional designs in Oriental carpets.

Very broadly considered, the traditional designs or patterns of Oriental
carpets fall into two classes: the one, prevailing to a much larger
extent than the other, seems to reflect the austerity of the Sunni or
orthodox Mahommedans in making patterns with abstract geometric and
angular forms, stiff interlacing devices, cryptic signs and symbols and
the like; whilst the other suggests the freer thought of the Shiah or
unorthodox sect, in designs of ingenious blossom and leafy scrolls,
conventional arabesques, botanical and animal forms, and cartouches
enclosing Kufic inscriptions (see the splendid example known as the
Ardebil carpet, Plate III. fig. 7, and another in Plate IV. fig. 9).
Types of the more austere design occur in carpets from Afghanistan,
Turkestan, Bokhara and Asia Minor, N.W. India and even Morocco, the
other types of freer design being almost special to Persian rugs and
carpets.

Indian Carpets.

Next in historic importance to Persia, Turkestan and Asia Minor is
India, where the making of cut pile carpets--known as Kalin and
Kalicha--was presumably introduced by the Mahommedans during the latter
part of the 14th century. But the industry did not apparently attain
importance until after the