5 comments about Oriental Carpets: A Complete Guide - The Classic Reference (Oriental Carpets).

1. This is an excellent way to learn about rugs from top to bottom -- it eases you slowly into a comprehensive knowledge of rugs. I feel that this will help me greatly in my work - I just started doing customer service for a rug company. Great buy to anyone who wants to be educated thoroughly on the business of rugs.



2. A veritable stream of meaningless gibberish masquerading as fount of knowledge, this book is the benchmark in specious academicism. With his bias firmly planted in the Caucusus, the author skips merrily past the last century of rug design, and completely dismisses Turkish curvilinear rugs altogether. This book is trumpeted in the industry as being the first and last word on the subject. In my estimation, it is the clarion call for a more gifted author to prepare an unbiased, unpretentious, and well-researched book on the subject. If you've read Ford's "Oriental Carpet Design" then you know that the call has already been heeded.



3. Bought for myself as a tool to help teach myself about Persian rugs, this book is so wonderful I gave it as a housewarming present to a friend of mine, freshly divorced who is decorating his new house. Perfect! The authors, the Murray Eilands Jr. and III, a father and son team, are experts in their field. The father, a practicing psychiatrist in California, has been studying and collecting Oriental rugs for almost 40 years, and his son has a doctorate from Oxford in Near Eastern archeology (including textile development), so you would be learning from very special, knowledgeable accomplished folks who love their textiles and rugs. I recommend this book highly.



4. Easy to use and I think a must for anyone seriously wishing to acquire a sound knowlege of oriental rugs whatever his or her aims. Delighted with the clear and elegant text. Good image collection too.



5. This is a beautiful book, but the coverage is overwhelmingly for geometric oriental rugs, with a large section added for Chinese. I was looking for the more ornate styles (Heriz, Tabriz, Sultanabad, and so on) that are so very beautiful. These are grossly underrepresented in this book, if at all (e.g., most are not). I am sorry I purchased the book.

5 comments about Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols.

1. I've spent years of my life looking for a well-written book on rugs. I've poured hundreds of dollars into recommend volumes, only to be dismayed by their lack of coverage, and horrified by their exclusive focus on tribal rugs. Eiland's "Oriental Carpets" was a joke of epic proportions, and Eiland must be a confidence trickster of notable talent if his book is the benchmark in rug analysis; he must have been paid by the word, as I have yet to encounter so much outright nonsense condensed into the pages of one book.
   
   Quite by chance, I found Ford's book at a local thrift shop. The book was in impeccable condition, so I was keen to give it a chance. What a contrast between his book on rugs and all of the other "scholarly" volumes unnecessarily clogging up the world.
   
   Ford's coverage is not on a global scale-primarily Iran-but his focus on design and construction made for a refreshing change of pace. Ford groups his analysis not by region, but by design; rugs are primarily identified by their design. With this in mind, Ford categorizes rugs by their dominant motifs, i.e. Botah, Herati, Geometric, and Floral patterns. Equipped with this knowledge of patterns, construction, and dyes, it's easy to extrapolate a rug's origins with some degree of reliability.
   
   Ford emphasizes 20th century rugs, as his expectation is that the bulk of his readers will lack the means to collect antique rugs of flawless provenance. In this respect, Ford shines out from his competitors; the book is infinitely useable, as other tomes tend to focus on rugs of the highest pedigree.
   
   Lastly, I was won over to Ford, because he does not over-emphasize one particular design, or one region, over another. Every other book on rugs will heap high praise on rugs from the Caucasus, and consign 20th century curvilinear floral rugs to the lowest order of damnation.



2. This is an excellent book to find all the information one needs on Persian and Oriental carpets. Very informative, and beautiful colour plates.



3. This book has the best information I've found on distinguing one type of rug from another. Many books give information about the major types of rugs...they're a dime a dozen. Ford breaks everything down into what specific tribes and villages weave, and tells us what the weavers use for warps and wefts, distinguishing colors, area motifs and designs, and more.
   
   This book is definitely academic in nature, but this is exactly the kind of fact-filled information I've been searching for. I had thought I would find it in Peter Stone's works, but even Stone's 2004 book on motifs does not come close to what Ford did twenty years ago. I currently own about 50 books on oriental rugs, and Ford's book offers the most comprehensive, detailed information of any of them.
   
   If you want to move from being a novice to becoming a more knowledgeable buyer and rug lover, you will want this book.



4. I collect Oriental rugs and Oriental rug books. This book is not for the beginner, but is meant for in-depth study of the subject of Oriental rugs. As you read you are directed to other pages for study and comparison. This is a time consuming but valuable process. If one wants to really study Oriental rugs this book can elevate you from beginner to a person who is comfortable with the subject and able to talk with experts. I used this book as a self teaching text book and loved it.



5. I bought this book after going to the library and checking out a number of carpet books - I was looking for a reference that would teach me some of the history of rug making and the people who make these incredible pieces of art as well as the practical side such as what to look for in a rug. This book is great at teaching about the different types of rugs. There are color pictures on every page, there are drawings of specific patterns so you can see specifically what make a rug one type rather than another, there are uncommon examples of types of rugs shown, etc. Its quite a good book (which is why I bought it after returning the library copy). This book is ok at teaching about the history/people or about how to tell a good quality rug - the intro goes into some good detail about things like knot types, weaves, use of synthetic dyes, chinese rugs etc but it's a fanatsic guide to decoding the different traditional motifs and patterns. I'm giving it 4 stars rather than 5 only because the text is so dry and they don't really give the stories - they give more dry facts such as this type of rug was woven in this manufacturing/village setting in x,y,z town. It would have been niceto have more details about the people and about the symbolism of the motifs. But, like I said, I knew all that before I bought the book since I had checked t out at the library. I use this book to augment others that I ended up buying that do tell more of the stories.

3 comments about Tribal and Village Rugs: The Definitive Guide to Design, Pattern & Motif.

1. This book is not only attractive, but contains a wealth of knowledge about antique and modern rugs.
   
   Phyllis Pentecost



2. Absolutely stunning. Clear illustrations, clear text, beautiful layout. A stunning book that I am pleased to have added to my library.



3. Fantastic book---definitive info on all aspects of handmade rugs, including each part of the rug: border designs, major & minor motifs, origins of each of these with many attributed to multiple sources. I love to keep this book close at hand & use it frequently as a reference source for rugs & textiles from many of the countries in the Middle East, southwestern, northwestern, and central Asia, & many countries & regions that no longer exist in their original borders. This is one of the top 2-3 reference books that I use most frequently to identify the many elements in the rugs & textiles that I sell & also ones that I buy for my personal collection. It's absolutely fascinating--I just bought one of these for a friend who has a long-standing interest in the subjects covered in this book & she was THRILLED(!!!) with this book.

5 comments about Oriental Rugs: A Buyer's Guide.

1. I am a newcomer in the world of persian rugs and found this book very useful. The more you read the more you understand that there is an entire world to discover and the author introduces you in this nice exotic world. It is by no means a complete guide on the subject but it is a very good starting point to understand the basics of the subject. I would highly recommend this book before reading other, more massive and detailed books.



2. I've been looking for a great rug buyer's guide, working in the rug industry. It's hard to come across a good resource out there. I'd say that this is a good primer on rugs, if you want to make sure you're buying right. Saves you from the regret of making the wrong rug purchase, or the tediousness of having to deal with customer service departments of rug companies. Just like any big purchase, rug buying must be treated with the right amount of reverence. Great resource. Recommended.



3. This book has really helped me increase my knowledge and ability to recognize different kinds of rugs in a dealer's showroom. There are good color photographs, many diagrams about motifs and descriptions of features that rugs from various locales have. I keep going back to the book and re-reading things I didn't pick up before. It is definitely a buyers' guide.



4. If you are interested in buying a book to learn just the basics of Oriental Rugs in a short time span, this book is just fine. The content is good, and there are about 20 pages of glossy pictures showing different designs of rugs.
   If your intention is to buy a book which will help you really understand the nuances of Oriental rugs, you need to look elsewhere. I gave the book an average rating, because that's what it is - not a great reference, but also not a bad value for the money. Just a decent book conveying about what you'd expect from a 100 page introductory text.



5. I found this book a useful text for beginners. It provides organized information without being overly complex and boring. One benefit of the book is that occasionally when the author makes reference to an item explained in detail elsewhere in the text, a page number is given so the reader can jump to the detailed description if necessary. It's the 1980's version of hyperlinks. The color plates are beautiful, but lack descriptions of the sizes of the rugs. Also lacking is the pronunciation guide; A basic guide exists, but falls short by lacking pronunciations for all but one or two words. I was also hoping to read a discussion of the varrying lengths of rug fringes, which this book did not discuss. A final benefit of the book is the last chapter on the major and minor weaving groups. These sections provide a good source of reference when one needs to get quick, basic information about a particular group.

4 comments about Navajo Rugs: The Essential Guide.

1. This book is a direct to the point, easy to understand guide on Navajo rugs. Works like a practical handbook, and a must own for connoisseurs and enthusiasts of Navajo rugs.



2. I have recently started to purchase different types of Native American rugs and blankets. This guide has been a tremendous help in identifing Navajo rugs.



3. This is a must have book if you are interested in collecting and purchasing Navajo rugs as well as learning about the history of these items. Easy to read and full of essential facts. I plan to order 2 more copies for friends who are very interested in the Navajo weavings.



4. This is an excellent source on how to find, evaluate, buy and care for Navajo Rugs, especially for the new collector. Insight and information on the history, weaving & weaves, tools used and the major periods of design are all outlined in this book along with beautiful color photos. Navajo Rugs is the essential text for anyone interested in this artform.

No comments about The Creative Hooker.

5 comments about Oriental Rugs of the Silk Route: Culture, Process & Selection.

1. I recently purchased John Gregorian's book with the anticipation that it would resemble his father's earlier book that is among my favourite "rug books".(I have been a collector for over 30 years.) I was disappointed and must add it to other texts of recent years that do not offer a balanced view of present day rug production.
   Iran still produces many beautiful and exquisite pieces that until recently were embargoed by the USA. Fortunately for those of us that reside outside the USA we can obtain these pieces but they no longer appear in many recent books. While rugs from Pakistan, India, China, etc may copy Iranian originals, they rarely use the same dye colors and lack the mastery of the originals.
   To all budding authors out there, "can we please have a truly representative modern rug book free of political prejudice and exclusion?"



2. We are avid rug collectors and found this book to be a valuable resource. Even though we are fairly knowledgeable about rugs, we still learned from this book. It's the kind of book we wish we had when we were first starting our collection. The author reveals so much in a truly delightful way -- it's kind of like having a close friend or family member with many years of experience guide you through the whole world of oriental rugs. It's hard to say what we like best about this book because it is such a quality piece of work -- from the thoughtful and interesting writing, to the stunning color and black and white photographs, to the fine typesetting, layout and binding. This book is a work of art in and of itself, much like a fine oriental rug. We especially like the colorful stories about the rug weavers, their culture, and way of life. Art is often a great window on another culture, and the author gets this across in a beautiful way.



3. In Oriental Rugs Of The Silk Route, John Gregorian draws upon his years of expertise to provide an illustrated tour of modern day oriental rug-making centers. The informative, often fascinating text is beautifully and profusely illustrated with superb color photography, complemented by vintage bland-and-white images of Middle-Easter villages and cities, the rug-making culture and process. The reader will find a wealth of expert advice for buying an oriental rug, how to evaluate quality and price, buying and trading customs (with tips on negotiating a purchase), and invaluable ideas respecting interior decoration with original rugs. Oriental Rugs Of The Silk Route is enhanced further with a glossary of oriental rug terminology and a helpful appendix on oriental rug cleaning and repair. Oriental Rugs Of The Silk Route is rewarding reading for the oriental rug enthusiast, and a highly recommended introduction for the novice.



4. Finally, a niche book with character that focuses on the highest quality carpets. Beyond the pictures it chronicles the Gregorian family experience with this genre and brings us back to the days when the original treasures were more readily available - not that long ago! A must for the serious collector or the simple enthusiast.



5. Gregorian's book is compelling stuff and speaks about a part of the world where bargaining is as much an artform as the rugs themselves. Gregorian is an expert on buying, using extremely sophisticated, yet seemingly simple, methods developed over generations. It reminds me of what the owner of the most expensive men's clothing store in America once told me, "I make more money buying the fabrics than I do selling the suits."

   Being an author myself ("Why People Don't Buy Things"...the new science of selling products, services and ideas based on over 50,000 interviews), I'm fascinated by the time-proven methods employed by Gregorian. Obviously, they've been passed down by his family and work as well today as they did years ago.

   This book is well worth the read even if you're not into rugs. It could help you save money the next time you're buying an oriental rug, an expensive painting or a luxury automobile.

5 comments about The Illustrated Buyer's Guide to Oriental Carpets (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. As a professional Antique Persian Rug Dealer I have used this wonderful book in many aspects of my work. This books value in educating someone through the beautifully presented pictures and wide variety of ages and styles of rugs can't be overstated.
   Beautifully done, simple to understand and a pure pleasure to browse through. Highly recommended to beginners and old hands alike!



2. This is one of the few carpet books available that isn't a decade old. The picture quality and pricing information is great. Indian carpets make up 50% of the new carpet section with the rest being from Turkey, Pakistan, China, and other regions. What is missing in this section is any mention or pictures of contemporary carpets from Iran. The antique carpet section has a broad selection of carpets from all appropriate regions--including Iran. There is also around 10 pages of information on rug care and cleaning, knot count, new maching made carpets, buying carpets overseas, and judging antique carpet condition. Overall, great book!



3. the information is broad, and the information excellent in terms of what to look for in rugs,hand made vs machine and the consumer base was detailed.



4. little or no technical explanation of each carpet, just page after page of blurry, low-color pictures, and no grouping of any kind. junk.



5. Of the half dozen books on oriental carpets I have, this is far and away the best. While most books on the subject are often somewhat snobbish in their approach, this book is refreshingly realistic and inclusive. And this is comment is from someone who enjoys buying and selling oriental carpets and rugs.
   Jim B., Florida

2 comments about Oriental Rugs from A to Z (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Illustrations and photographs were breathtaking. Price comparisons were helpful, but very little content on rug parameters and significance with regard to final results and quality.



2. Beautiful. A clear and concise readable guidline. There were a lot of wonderful pictures and all the information was very clear and understandable. A very valuable source for anyone who is thinking of buying an Oriental Rug.

No comments about Starting To Collect Antique Oriental Rugs (Starting to Collect Series).