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

5 comments about Oriental Rugs Today: A Guide to the Best New Carpets from the East.

1. This is one of the best books I've found on Oriental Rugs. The text is very well written and specific to each type of rug shown, and the photography is excellent. Photographs are of representative rugs for each type ("tribe"), and the rugs shown are very colorful with intricate patterns that are sure to stir the heart of every lover of orientals.



2. Unlike the gentleman below, I had little knowledge of oriental rugs prior to reading this book. I found it to be a perfect place to start my education. The text was informative, particularly in regards to the "renaissance" in traditional rugmaking techniques over the past 20 years. He does a wonderful job of covering the pros and cons of natural vs. chrome dyes, and handspun vs. millspun wool - again without being overly opinionated or judgmental despite his personal leanings.
   
   The writing was engaging, fair, and accompanied by high-quality photographs (n.b. the photos on his website are the highest resolution I've seen anywhere). He gives equal weight to each country's production. Helpful information is also provided regarding approximate prices per sq. ft.
   
   In fact, I liked his book so much that I just purchased two rugs from him - two years after reading the book, and after looking at dozens of sites on the web and a handful of shops in person.



3. I've read both editions of this book and, yes, the first edition only had a few words on Iran but, as the author explained, there was an embargo at the time. The new edition has an entire chapter on new rugs from Iran, with photos of some really gorgeous rugs.

   Most of my personal knowledge about rugs was that rugs made today are lifeless, uninteresting pieces cranked out from rug factories in places like India and China, or poorly made, touristy pieces from places like Turkey. Boy was I wrong. It's good to know there are finally interesting, attractive, reasonably-priced, handmade carpets available again.

   The possibility that some carpet made in Iran in the last year or so may rival the beauty of my 19th-Century Persian Bidjar is stunning.




4. As someone who already has an intermediate knowledge of oriental carpets, I was disappointed by this book. It is extremely basic - something akin to a Dick and Jane primer. It provides only a few pages of information on carpets from each region (if you can believe it, Iran [Persia] was lumped together with two other countries, and all three countries were covered by approximately only five pages, including illustrations. It does not provide any information on specific carpets (i.e. Nain, Bokhara, Yahyali, etc.), but did explain the general difference between wool types, dyes, etc. Also, while it did have several photos of carpets, many of them seemed to be photos of novelty carpets, and not of traditional designs. Overall, I believe that this would be good for someone who knows absolutely nothing about oriental carpets and is only looking for general information. In my opinion, there are much better books on the subject for both beginners and experts alike, such as Oriental Rugs, A Buyer's Guide, by Lee Allane.



5. I saw a review of this book in HALI magazine, and have found it clarifies a lot of things that I found confusing and intimidating about buying an Oriental rug. It explains exactly where the rugs in today's rug stores come from, and how much you should expect to pay for them. It's well written and very much on the level-you don't get the impression the author is pushing you to go out and buy something. There's a lot of mystification in the Oriental rug business, and although the book is not an expose in any sense, I felt better equipped to buy a rug and get a good value than I did after reading other books on the subject, most of which seemed out of date. Lots of color plates too.

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.

1 comments about A Guide to Navajo Weavings (Native American Arts & Crafts).

1. Although this book is short on written content, it makes up for its brevity with a great selection of colourful pictures from many Navajo styles. This book focuses on a historic review of styles rather than a "how-to" for new weavers. It's short and it's inexpensive, so don't expect a thorough overview.

No comments about Patterns of Exchange: Navajo Weavers and Traders.

1 comments about Modern Hooked Rugs (Inspriation Series).

1. In "Modern Hooked Rugs", needlecraft historian and expert Linda Rae Coughlin has created a compendium of 540 rugs crafted by 292 of the very best contemporary rug hooking artists. A veritable treasury of beautiful images, here featured are rugs made by a group of needlecraft artisans exploring common themes, as well as series or topic-related rugs by individual artists. Some of the rugs showcased are from The American Folk Art Museum's 'Icons of America' contest, others are rugs from noted and notable rug hooking needlecrafters right along side rug hooking fiber artists making their debut. Each photo example comes with a succinct and informative caption making "Modern Hooked Rugs" a compelling addition for personal, professional, academic, and community library Needlecraft collections in general, and Hooked Rug reference lists in particular.

1 comments about A Celebration of Hand-hooked Rugs (Book 16) (Celebration of Hand-Hooked Rugs).

1. In Celebration of Hand hooked Rugs (Book 16) you will see some of the finest recently-made, hand-hooked rugs in the world. Not only are there beautiful photos, but also included are notes about the artist who made each rug and some information about how he/she settled on a design and executed the design. You will salivate. I guarantee

No comments about Tribal Rugs: An Introduction to the Weaving of the Tribes of Iran.

2 comments about Tribal Rugs: A Buyer's Guide.

1. ...I disagree with the author saying that "every rug needs a degree of breathing space". I realize that is a Westernized viewpoint, and tastes vary...but these beautiful one-of-a-kind works of art were originaly intended to cover a tent floor...to the point of overlapping at times ! My preference is to see them in close proximity to each other, a glorious mosaic of rich color and design.
   I also disagree with the statement that the rug has to "match its surroundings", which is like buying a painting to match the sofa. To my way of thinking, a piece of art, whether a painting or rug, should give one an uplifting thrill, not "match" something.

   The first 4 chapters are on everything from detailed descriptions of how rugs are made, where to buy them, their care and repair, and the ethnic groups worldwide that make them.
   This is followed by brilliantly colored illustrations of 44 rugs and 3 bags, from the marvelous Belouch animal design that graces the cover to a Navaho pictorial flatweave.

   Chapter 5 is about the designs, and how to identify them. Chapter 6 is on the regions (maps are included). 7 and 8 are on the tribal groups, from those in Adraskand, to the Yurks, and describes the patterns, colors, and quality produced by each group.

   So though I don't agree with the decorating ideas, it's 5 stars for the research and remarkable detail that has been put into this volume. It's an excellent primer, as well as a good reference book.




2. If you wouldn't know a Kilim if it bit you in the leg, you'll soon be able to do a lot more than just bluff your way in the world of rugs! This book takes you through it all quite painlessly!

   Beautifully illustrated with full colour pictures of rugs from all around the world, it is a pleasure to leaf through as much as to read for its detailed information on what makes these wonderful rugs what they are.

   Maps, texts and illustrations take you through the cultural and practical aspects of rug design and manufacture. For the professional dealer or the enthusiastic amateur like me, this is an indispensable book! Anyone who has read it will know how much better equipped they are to snap up the best buys with confidence.

No comments about Antique Kilims of Anatolia.