gn and that of the tree, or with many birds and
various floral conceptions. The borders blend harmoniously with the rest
of the rug. The finest rugs of Kermanshah were formerly made in the
palace of the Governor, and many were presented to leading rulers.

_Khorassan_ rugs are woven in the province of that name and are
characterized by various forms. A long palm effect or floral design is
apt to be in the borders of antique Khorassans; and a prominent color in
these rugs is magenta, which, though sometimes rather harsh in the
modern rugs, is soft and beautiful in the antiques. Blue is also a
leading color, and animals, including the lion and the gazelle; birds of
several varieties; flowers symmetrically arranged, and geometrical
forms, are all often seen. The Herati design is a usual one. When
stripes occur in the field they are beautifully decorated with small
floral designs or with the palm, and occasionally with that migratory
insect, the locust. The rugs are unevenly clipped, which gives a soft,
lustrous effect. Meshhed, the capital city of Khorassan, weaves rugs of
fine colors; the palm leaf when represented on this rug is very large
and impressive, often on a deep blue field. Animals and birds are
frequently seen on the Meshhed rug.

_Kirman_ rugs, made in the province of Irak-Ajemi, frequently have a
medallion in the centre, entwined with flowers. Sometimes the Tree of
Life is represented, its branches bearing different fruits, and often
there are symbolical little birds in the border. Sometimes a vase of
flowers is the principal ornament, or several small trees either with or
without foliage. Silk has often been introduced into the old rugs with
charming effect. The Kirman rug is one of the most easily recognizable.
It is of very fine quality, and is highly decorative. Antique rugs of
this kind have the finest of wool, and, with the artistic arrangement of
beautiful flowers, cypress trees, and palm effects, are most pleasing.
One of the finest in this country is reproduced in this volume with a
description accompanying it.

_Kurdistan_ (the Persian portion) is a large region inhabited by the
nomadic tribes called Kurds; and the sheep and goats belonging to these
tribes furnish the fine wool that is woven into Kurdish rugs. The color
effects are generally good. Often dark blues and reds form the
groundwork, in the centre of which is a lozenge or large diamond form
ornamented with small designs of the palm leaf.