JBOC's Rug Notes

Washington area Oriental Rug appraisers

2011-11-23T08:05:00.002-05:00

Washington area appraisers can let you know how valuable your rugs are

By Jeanne Huber, Published: November 22

Q. I picked up some Oriental rugs while working overseas many years ago. The basement flooded recently, and I had to have some of them cleaned. The cleaners told me the rugs are valuable and offered to repair them, including reweaving. They quoted a price that seemed very high. When I hesitated, the cleaner assured me the rugs are very valuable and well worth the cost. I never thought these were anything special, so before I go further, I’d like to get a second opinion — preferably from a neutral party. How do I find a qualified appraiser?
Fairfax City

(BigStock) - Have your rugs appraised before deciding on repair.

A. The Appraisers Association of America (www.appraisersassoc.org) sets ethical standards and tests appraisers who want to be certified as experts in specific decorative arts. So contacting the organization is a good way to find a knowledgeable, impartial appraiser. Three members of the association who evaluate Oriental carpets in the Washington area are Jerald Johnson at National Appraisals, 202-547-1240; Karen Holtzman, 202-966-5877; and Richard Driscoll, 202-293-2323. To give you an idea of the possible cost: Driscoll charges $250 an hour, including travel time, but because you live in Northern Virginia, you could save by taking the carpets to the appraiser. That way, you’d just pay his minimum fee of $250, which covers an hour of appraisal work. Quite a few carpets could be checked in at that time, since it might take only five minutes to evaluate a small rug. A repaired carpet isn’t as valuable as one that was kept in good shape all along. “But a repaired carpet is certainly more valuable than one in damaged condition,” Driscoll said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home-garden/washington-area-appraisers-can-let-you-know-how-valuable-your-rugs-are/2011/11/09/gIQApYJ8kN_story.html

Nazmiyal Antique Rugs offers one of the most comprehensive collections of antique rugs in the world

2011-11-21T13:22:00.002-05:00

Nazmiyal Antique Rugs offers one of the most comprehensive collections of antique rugs in the world

On any given day, a visitor to Nazmiyal´s showroom, located at 31 E. 32 St. in New York, may see carpets ready to be shipped to Poland or Australia.

NEW YORK, N.Y.- Jason Nazmiyal is passionate about rugs. He has been in the business of acquiring and selling antique rugs for over twenty-five years. The founder of Nazmiyal Antique Rugs says that his tastes are eclectic, ranging from early classical pieces to Art Deco and Modernist rugs. “What matters to me primarily is the beauty and quality of a piece. I buy with my eye and with my heart.” Mr. Nazmiyal has traveled extensively, searching for the best pieces that are available. His wide years of experience and multitude of contacts in the rug world have enabled him to buy competitively, acquiring quality pieces for the best value and passing the savings on to his clients. Nazmiyal has one of the most comprehensive collections of antique rugs in the world. Their strong buying power allows them to secure every single rug at extremely competitive prices. Because of this Nazmiyal believes that no one can offer a better value for any comparable rug. Bearing in mind that no two rugs are identical, many factors come into play when determining the price of any set piece; the main considerations are age, condition, pattern, design, size, colors, quality, origin and overall appeal as well as current design trends and market demand. If you find any rug that is in line with those criteria for less, they will match or even beat the price.
Jason Nazmiyal has seen how the market for antique room-sized carpets has taken twists and turns in the past. This hindsight as well as a keen understanding of current market trends and the foresight for future success has led him to devise an online strategy that has allowed his business grow to global proportions. On any given day, a visitor to Nazmiyal´s showroom, located at 31 E. 32 St. in New York, may see carpets ready to be shipped to Poland or Australia. Nazmiyal´s website has over 12,000 pages containing the gallery’s complete inventory. Each rug has a description and a Pantone color guide accompanies each item to make it easier for clients or interior designers to search rugs by color. The Nazmiyal website also includes a blog that is updated frequently by the staff, who are experts on the subject of antique carpets. General Manager, Omri Schwartz, is a frequent contributor. Mr. Schwartz is also a frequent contributor to other websites such as www.about.com and www.allexperts.com, among others. Mr. Schwartz regularly makes himself available to people and companies from all walks of life. Offering advice and information at no cost “I have not yet come across any antique rug related questions that if I did not know the answer to right off the bat – I could not research and ultimately find the right answer for”, he said.
In 2010, when the Morgan Library & Museum, which houses one of the world’s greatest collections of artistic, literary and musical works, was getting a new look, they chose a beautiful antique Sultanabad from Nazmiyal to decorate the McKim building. William Griswold, director of the Morgan Library & Museum said of the McKim building: “The McKim building is the heart and soul of the Morgan Library & Museum. Not only does it embody the taste and vision of the museum’s founder and patron, Pierpont Morgan, but over the years its beautiful rooms have become synonymous with all that makes the Morgan special.” No visit is complete without a tour of the McKim building, and now, with this ambitious project and the installation of dome of the Morgan’s outstanding treasures, that experience is greatly enhanced.
Earlier this year, the Whitney Museum of American art called on Nazmiyal when it wanted to display antique carpets as a backdrop to their Paul Thek exhibition. Visitors to the Whitney had the opportunity to see an unprecedented collection of works for the first time since the artist’s death in 1988.
In addition to providing an extensive and varied inventory of decorative and antique rugs, Nazmiyal also offers a range of other services. Fine rugs require cleaning and other routine maintenance, as well as repair and restoration. Over time, Nazmiyal has developed an expert team of restorers and rug cleaners who can service the requirements of rug owners.

The Circassians (Cherkei) resettled to Anatolia

2009-03-13T23:19:00.001-04:00

The Circassians (Cherkei)

The Circassians (Cherkei), who are so widely distributed throughout Anatolia, N. Syria, and N. Mesopotamia, are partly emigrants from Circassia after its conquest by Russia, and partly refugees from Bulgaria, E. Roumelia, and Circassiaafter the last Turko-Russian War.. They include the Kabardai, Chechen, Dagestanis, &c., who are of Semitic- Turanian race, and the Abasa who are of Indo-European origin, and were originally Christians. Two principal dialects, which differ greatly, and several minor ones, are spoken.

Persian Carpets Star of Kuwaiti Expo

2008-11-09T23:18:00.001-05:00

Persian Carpets Star of Kuwaiti Expo

The Fourth International Kuwaiti Carpet Exhibition titled ’Kuwait Antique and Carpet’ was inaugurated on November 6 by Ali Jannati, Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait, at the Kuwait International Fairground.
A large number of officials from the Kuwaiti Commerce Ministry attended the opening ceremony, ISNA wrote.
Along with 36 Iranian carpet companies, 14 enterprises from other countries, including Morocco, Yemen and India are also showcasing their craftsmanship in the expo.
Addressing the participants, Kuwaiti Deputy Commerce Minister Rashid Al-Sayed Yousef Al-Tabatabaei said that Persian carpets hold a special position in the hearts of art lovers because of their elegance, excellent quality, design and beautiful color harmony.
Speaking to reporters, Ali Jannati said that last year bilateral trade between Iran and Kuwait stood at $750 million, of which around $500 million accounted for Iran’s exports to the Persian Gulf Arab state.
Iranian pavilions have occupied most part of the exhibition. Experts are expecting that this year, with the kind of footfalls the stalls are being able to attract, sale will be quite high. The event will run till November 15.

Flood at The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library

2008-08-14T07:18:00.000-04:00

The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
By Gabrielle Tieu, Associate Conservator of Objects

Staging Area for Triage Operation

As a consequence of the massive flooding of the Cedar and Iowa rivers that occurred in Iowa last June, The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids was surrounded by 15 feet of water, well above any historical level. As soon as the water started to recede and the building was safe to enter, The Chicago Conservation Center sent a five person disaster response team to assess and recover the textile collection that was located on the first floor of the museum and thus totally immersed during the flood. This portion of the textile collection encompassed approximately 1,000 traditional Czech and Slovak costumes and garments, many with detailed colored embroidery, glass beading and metallic thread decorations.

The textiles were in nearly devastated condition, lying soaking wet on the floor and soiled by a black putrid mud that was covering the entire interior of the building. In addition to the intricate and hazardous mess inside caused by the collapse of showcases, mannequins and sections of walls, there was no electricity. Fortunately, due to exceptionally dry and breezy weather following the receding of the water, mold outbreaks remained very localized.

After general assessment of the situation was conducted under the direction of Gail Naughton and the restoration company Steamatic, a triage of the wet muddy textiles was put in motion in order to stabilize their condition before shipping them to Chicago. An entire washing station was improvised in the parking lot of the museum including rows of laundry tubs and 8 x 4 drying racks. Prior to rinsing, the muddier textiles were gently washed off. They were then gently rinsed in successive baths of clean water, separating the whites from the colors to avoid dyes bleeding and discoloration. Mud deposits were removed with soft paint brushes. The textiles were then patted dry on tables with towels, soft sponges and blotting tissue and then spread on drying racks. The textiles were regularly turned and reshaped (especially blouses and large pleated skirts) until fully dry. At this point, the textiles were packed and shipped to our facilities in Chicago. Upon arrival, a close examination and inventory of the textiles was undertaken in order to determine the future necessary conservation treatments.

This operation consisting of triage and stabilization was possible due to ideal weather conditions and a dedicated skillful team of volunteers. Some leather accessories and jackets, as well as a series of dolls were frozen in situ because it was not possible to ensure proper controlled drying, and these objects were at risk of developing mold; they will be thawed and treated later.

Bastam An Unforgettable Land

2008-07-18T08:38:00.000-04:00

Bastam An Unforgettable Land

The historical region of Bastam is bounded by Golestan province to the north and northwest, Semnan province to the south, Alborz range as well as Majan city and the villages of Nekarman and Tash to the west, and the Miyami plains to the east. Its population, including the districts of Majan, Kalateh Khij and Kharaqan’s Qale-ye Nou and 30 small and large rural settlements, exceeds 48,000 people who subsist on farming and livestock breeding.
Bastam is surrounded by snow-capped mountains throughout the winter and has one of the most favorable climates in Iran. All visitors are charmed by the picturesque city in spring and summer when it is completely verdant. The fragrance of fruit trees in blossom in over 2,000 hectares of orchards appeals to any tourist.

According to Iranblog.com, summer nights of Bastam are indeed beautiful. Nobody is tired of gazing at the clear and starry skies. The flavor of the city’s fruits, including cherry, plum, peach, grape and sour cherry, is different from those in other parts of the country.

Tourism Sites
The city also boasts of the tomb of Imamzadeh Mohammad, the son of Imam Jafar Sadeq (AS), the sixth Imam of the infallible household of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This enhances the religious attraction of Bastam. Moreover, the mausoleum of the towering mystic Aba Teiqourin Issa bin Soroushan Bastami (widely known as Bayazid Bastami) is adjacent to the tomb of Imamzadeh Mohammad (AS). Many pilgrims and domestic and foreign tourists visit the city each year.
As is evident from the artifacts in the Sang-e Chakhmaq Hill, Bastam’s history dates back to 8,000 years. Historical sites such as Imamzadeh Mohammad (AS) and Ghazankhan domes, the Seljuk minaret, grand mosque, Kashaneh Tower and Shahrokhiyeh Seminary point to the rich Islamic culture of the city during various periods. Many mystic and literary figures have been nurtured in the historical city. Some good cases in point are Aref Bastami, Forughi Bastam, Abol Hassan Kharaqani and Zoqi Bastam. Recently, due to the painstaking efforts of Semnan’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department, an independent cultural heritage office has been established in Bastam. It is hoped that this office can contribute effectively to the maintenance and renovation of the city’s many historical edifices.

Wells, Aqueducts and Spas
There are over 120 deep wells in Bastam, the water of which is very pure. The wells supply water for agriculture and horticulture throughout the year except in winter when farming activities are suspended due to cold weather. The famous aqueduct Sadeq Khan has one of the best waters of the region. The water is very warm in winter and cold in summer, and good for digestion. Among other natural attractions of the area, one can cite Siahcheshmeh and Palizi spas and the beautiful and famous waterfall of Majan.

Regional Products
Fresh high-quality dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, butter and meat can be found in Kalateh Khij while the best potato can be bought in Majan and Tash. Furthermore, Bastam has good quality cherry and the village of Abarsaj has the best cooking oil and honey. Although chicken farms in the area are industrialized, they are of high quality compared to those in other parts of the country due to the favorable climatic conditions of Bastam.

Shiraz: Arg-e Karim Khan A Legacy of Zandieh Era

2008-06-27T11:20:00.001-04:00

Arg-e Karim Khan A Legacy of Zandieh Era

Arg-e Karim Khan (Citadel of Karim Khan) was the palace of Karim Khan, a king of the Zandieh Dynasty. Built in 1180 AH, it is located to the northeast of Shiraz near the Shohada Square.

For building his palace, Karim Khan invited the most skilled stonecutters, architects and artists of his time. He also bought the best type of construction materials from different cities of the country and also from abroad.
According to Tachar website, the citadel has an area of 4,000 square meters and is in the center of a compound extending over an area of 12,800 square meters.

The architectural style used in this edifice is both military and residential, as the citadel was the residence of the king and had to have high security. Hence, the exterior walls, which essentially resemble the walls of a garrison, are quite tall. The citadel consists of four high walls connected by four 14 meters round brick towers. The lower section of the exterior walls is three meters in width. It is shaped like an incomplete cone and its width at the top reaches 2.8 meters. In the upper section of the wall, there is a small chamber, which housed soldiers and guards.
The palace’s entrance hall is rather large. It has one door which opens to the horse stable and another door, which opens toward the roof. Compared to similar buildings, the hall does not have many decorations. There were special rooms for the groom, which were destroyed throughout centuries.
There is a small courtyard adjacent to each of the four towers of the building. In one of them, there is a special room for the king’s servants. In the main courtyard, which covers an area of 93.6 meters by 12.8 meters, there is a stairway to the second floor.

The citadel is rectangular, on each side of which is a 15-meter brick tower. Between the northern, southern and western sides is a large balcony, which consists of a hall and two large chambers. In front of each of the three balconies there are two sturdy stone columns, each of them nine meters high. As is customary in the architectural style of the Zandieh era, a four-sided pond was constructed in front of each of the balconies.
The eastern side of the citadel is a high wall in the middle of which the entrance door is located. On top of the entrance gate there is a beautiful painting depicting a scene from the battle between Rostam and the White Demon (mythical personalities of the masterpiece of poet Ferdowsi, ’Shahnameh’ or ’book of the kings’). Colorful enameled tiles are used in the painting. This is a feature added during the Qajar era. The shah’s private bath and the residence of his bodyguards are situated behind the eastern wall.
The walls of the quarters are made of stone and baked clay is used in other parts of the building. Interior decorations include marbles of Yazd and Tabriz and large mirrors bought from Europe. Herbal colors are used in the ceilings’ ornaments.
During the Qajar period, the citadel was used as the governor’s seat. It was converted to a prison during the reign of Reza Shah, the first Pahlavi monarch. Renovation of the building in contemporary times started in 1977.

Ahovan Caravansaries 40 Km east of the city of Semnan

2008-06-27T08:08:00.000-04:00

Ahovan Caravansaries

Ahovan is located 40 Km east of the city of Semnan. There are two caravansaries: the one in stone, Robat Anushirvani, belongs to Sassanid era; the brick one to the Safavid era.
It is situated almost directly opposite the Safavid caravansary. The building is square, 75x75 sq. m, and it is built with 4-verandas.
According to Caroun website, the exterior of the building consists of a portal entrance on the north side; measuring 4.55 m.
Towers are located at each of the 4 corners of the Robat. There are 3 semi-towers on the east, west and south walls, as well as 2 on the north wall. There are 26 chambers situated around the courtyard, each has a veranda.

The four verandas and chambers are not equal in size. The north veranda is 16.80x4.55, while the east is 17.40x4.85 m. There are 4 rectangular stables with different sizes at 4 corners of the Robat. The northwest stable measures 14.20x10.50 m, while the one to the northeast is 13.70x11.10 m.
The entire structure is of stone, brick, cement and mortar. Early Islamic period Caravansaries, as Robat Karim on Saveh road and Qaleh-Sangi near Tehran, has features in common with Robat Anushirvani.
The building was repaired during Il-Khanid and Safavid eras and part of restoration is still visible in the portal entrance and vestibule.

Ahovan Safavid Caravansary
The building is square, 74x74 sq. m. It is designed and built with 4-verandas plan. The portal entrance is on the southern side and measures 5 meters.
The vaulted main entrance leads into a domed vestibule, which in turn opens into the shallow south veranda. The interior courtyard is also rectangular and measures 32x40 m.
On the cross axes of the central courtyard are 4 verandas, 4.75x5.50 m. Twenty-four chambers, each 2.90x3.35 m, located behind the courtyard arcades. Stables are behind the chambers. The floor is of earth and walls are constructed of fired bricks.
This Safavid Caravansary had one marble inscription, a poem, in Thulth script, at the top of the entrance before it was stolen. It read that at the time of Shah Soleiman Safavi, 1685, the caravansary was erected to serve pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), city of Mashhad.
Safavid Caravansary of Ahovan was used until the 20th century. Later the army took control.

Niasar Cave, Fire Temple near Kashan

2008-06-26T15:18:00.002-04:00

Niasar Cave, Fire Temple

The green and beautiful resort village of Niasar is located 28 kilometers west of Kashan city. One of the roads leading to Niasar passes through Ravand (12 kilometers northwest of Kashan). Ravand is the last city on the road which connects Tehran to Kashan. At this city, an asphalted road branches from the main road towards the west and 20 kilometers away it reaches Niasar-Mashhad Ardehal juncture.

From this juncture, a road runs eight kilometers to reach Niasar village and another goes to Mashhad Ardehal (the shrine of Sultan Ali where carpet washing ceremonies are held, and the tomb of famous Iranian poet Sohrab Sepehri) and then to Delijan on Tehran-Isfahan road. By using a motor vehicle, one can get to Niasar village through Ravand juncture, says Cais-soas website.

The green village of Niasar, located at the center of a desert region, has a beautiful scene. In January and February, blossoms of almond trees add to the beauty of the village. There are two ancient monuments in this village: one is a fire temple, and the other a man-made cave. These two ancient sites attract many visitors.

Stone Structure
A building with a dome over a rock at the highest point of Niasar village can be seen from a distance. This is the penthouse that has remained intact since the time of Sassanid dynasty.
The road to Niasar is divided into two beside the orchards of Niasar. The left route leads to the village and the right was built for access to the stone mine near the fire temple. Over the years the road has become rugged and bumpy as a result of the transport of heavy mining equipment. Villagers call the upper part of Niasar ÒTalabÓ and the lower part ÒDarabÓ. The fire temple overlooks Talar.

The penthouse is 1414 meter building which contains a chamber with a dome over it. There are no walls on the four sides of the chamber. The fire temple is made of stone put together with a mortar of plaster. The stones used in the lower part of the building are normal and those used in the arches and in the upper parts are square-shaped, resemmbling big bricks.
The lower part of the building was coated with plaster in recent years. All walls surrounding the fire temple are likely to have been decorated with stucco carvings in the past.
Since the fire over the Niasar penthouse could be seen from distance, the building might have had a symbolic role. One such fire temple, is Kohneh Dezh or Khorram Dasht penthouse around the city of Kashan. Nothing has been left of the dome of the fire temple its slanting ceilings were reconstructed recently.
Magnificent premises once surrounded the fire temple of which only some small pieces of stone can now be seen on the ground. A few meters down the fire temple, a spring of cool and clear waters flows through the Talar mosque and goes on to the village. It is surprising that running waters exit beside many other fire temples. Some bear signs of worshiping Anahita, the goddess of cultivation and fertility.
There is an interesting point in the structure of the fire temple. Some of the stones used in the building have an older and different cut than others. The stones had been quarried from a cave down the temple. This shows that the Niasar cave is older than the fire temple.

Built in Darkens
The villagers call the cave as Talar cave or Surakh Reis. In one of the gardens of the upper parts of Niasar, the main openings of the cave lead to the interior of the rocks.
Niasar cave is thoroughly man-made (except for one or two natural chambers near the entrance openings). No doubt that the cave had been a Mitra temple. Its first cut possibly dates back to the Parthian era. Most Mitra temples like Niasar cave have been built in full darkness. This cave has other entrance openings, some of which are located inside a rock which separates the upper parts of Niasar from the lower neighborhoods. These openings which face the north along with the Niasar water fall make a beautiful scene visible from the village.
The signs of water erosion on the rocks bears testimony to the fact that the cave had been a scenic area in ancient times. The Niasar waterfall is another proof that the cave had been a temple belonging to the followers of Mithraism. Below the waterfall, there are two millstones and surprisingly one or two similar millstones can be seen deep inside the cave.
No doubt that the stones inside a dark and magnificent cave had not been for milling wheat but rather for turning wheels during sacrifice ceremonies according to Mithraism rites.
The cave had a big entrance opening which was destroyed in the 1980 earthquake. Parts of the cave also collapsed onto the gardens located below it in the quake. Most earthenware objects inside the cave date back to the Sassanid era and some to the Parthian period. However, some Islamic era pottery works can be seen around the openings of the cave.
On the rooftop of the cave, there are remnants of a building belonging to the Qajar period. Many stories are told by local people including one about how the stoneworker who made the cave was spellbound and that the sound of his hammer and chisel pounding the stone could be heard from inside the cave.

Fluorescent White Lily a Unique Attraction

2008-06-26T11:57:00.001-04:00

White Lily a Unique Attraction

Compiled by Atefeh Rezvan-Nia

White lily blossoms once a year for two weeks to one month--depending on climatic conditions--in two parts of the world: Damash in Gilan province and Talish in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Both these places are situated on the Alborz Range of the Iranian plateau.
White lily is called Susan-e Chelcheragh in Persian. Susan means lily and chelcheragh stands for chandelier. Residents of Damash believe that the name has been so used, because the flower glows at night.
Botanists maintain that the flower’s stamen contains fluorescent materials and hence reflects ligh, Deilamannews reported.

Characteristics
Lilium ledebourii is a flower of the lily family. It is a perennial plant growing up to 60-150 cm in height. It’s a bulb species with large scaly white bulbs, about one-meter tall stalks, and linear leaves; some leaves are attached to the base of the stalk, spreading around it, while other leaves are erect, lanceolate, with slightly dentate margins.
Flowers are rather large and strikingly white. Each flower has six slightly curved petals and six stamens with white filaments and long yellow anthers. It has six to nine buds on every branch.
Damash, which is situated in the south of the evergreen province of Gilan , has become a tourism site because of this unique flower. White lily is considered the epitome of Gilan’s unmatched natural beauty.

Festival
Researchers have endeavored to breed this plant indoors, but their efforts have been in vain so far.
White lily was discovered in 1975. Every year a large number of ecotourists and botanists visit Damash to see this unique flower bloom. It flowers from the middle of May until the end of the month.
This year, White Lily Festival was held at the natural habitat of the flower, Damash Village , in the presence of a large number of residents of Gilan, local and provincial officials as well as guests from other provinces of the country. Experts from France and Japan also attended the even, IRNA reported.
Managing director of Gilan’s Department of Environment, Kamran Zolfinejad, told the inaugural ceremony: “The concept of wise and prudent management necessitates that this unique species must be protected and its God-given beauty be displayed. Since two years ago, a pest has been detected in the unique plant that has affected its flowering. Shortage of water and low precipitation has also reduced its flowering.“

Zolfinejad stressed that with the establishment of White Lily Research Center , a biological approach can be found for overcoming the pest.
Addressing the same ceremony, Mohammad Hossein Mehdipour, head of Gilan’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department, said, “A comprehensive tourism plan for the region has been proposed, the infrastructures of which will be gradually facilitated by state organizations.“

Lorestan Land of the Lors

2008-06-26T11:11:00.001-04:00

Land of the Lors

Located in western Iran amidst the Zagros mountain-ranges, Lorestan province’s capital city is Khorramabad. It covers an area of 28,392 square kilometer and has nine counties, namely Aligoudarz, Azna, Boroujerd, Delfan, Doroud, Khorramabad, Kouhdasht, Selseleh and Poldokhtar.

Location and Weather
Lorestan, which means “Land of the Lors“, is bounded by Ilam to its West and extends for about 400 miles on a northwest to southeast axis from Kermanshah to Fars, Iranvisitor said.
The terrain consists chiefly of mountains, with numerous ranges, part of the Zagros chain, running northwest to southeast. The central range has many summits that are perpetually covered with snow, rising to 13,000 feet and feeding Iran ’s most important rivers such as Zayandeh Roud, Jarahi, Karoun, Dix, Abi and Karkheh . Between the higher ranges lie fertile plains and low hilly, well-watered districts.
The highest point of the province is Oshtoran Kouh peak at 4,050 m. The low-lying areas in the southernmost sector of the province are approximately 500 meters above sea-level.
The climate is generally sub-humid continental with winter precipitation, a lot of which falls as snow. Because it lies on the westernmost slopes of the Zagros range, annual precipitation in Lorestan is among the highest anywhere in Iran south of the Alborz Mountains .
At Khorramabad, the average annual precipitation totals 530 millimeters (21 inches) of rainfall while up to 1,270 millimeters (50 inches) may fall on the highest mountains.

June to September are usually dry, but Khorramabad can expect 4 inches of rainfall in December and January.
Temperatures vary widely with the seasons and between day and night. At Khorramabad, summer temperatures typically range from a minimum of 12¡C (54¡F) to a maximum of 32¡C (90¡F). In winter, they range from a minimum of -2¡C (28¡F) to a maximum of 8¡C (46¡F).

History
Lorestan is one of the oldest regions of Iran . In the third and fourth millennium BC, migrant tribes settled down in the mountainous area of the Zagros range. The Kassites, an ancient people who spoke neither an Indo-European nor a Semitic language, originated in Lorestan.
The region was invaded and settled by the Iranian Medes in the second millennium BC. The Medes absorbed the indigenous inhabitants of the region, primarily the Elamites and Kassites.
Lorestan was successfully integrated into the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanian empires. Parts of Lorestan managed to stay independent during the Arab and Mongol invasions.
According to the Encyclopedia of Islam, the Lors, previously open adherents of the Ahl-e-Haq faith, revere bread and fire like the Zoroastrians. It says: “Being split up into numerous tribes and sections, they migrate to their summer pastures as separate bands without overall command. In 1936, Reza Shah’s army conquered them, with much bloodshed and starvation, forcing many of the survivors to settle in villages under landlords.“
Lors were amongst the original Qazalbash that aided in the founding and administration of the Safavid dynasty.

People and Culture
Lors, like most Iranians, are a mixture of indigenous inhabitants of the Zagros- and Iranian-speaking tribes migrating from Central Asia . As stated above, their language (called Lori) is closely related to Persian, and there are two distinct dialects of this language. “Lor-e-Bozourg“ (Greater Lor) is spoken by the Bakhtiaris while “Lor-e-Kuchik“ (Lesser Lor) is spoken by the Lors themselves. People in Boroujerd speak in Boroujerdi dialect, a local Persian dialect with a big influence from Lori. Northwest of Lorestan province is dominated by Laki speakers.
The overwhelming majority of Lors are Shiite Muslims. In Khuzestan, Lor tribes are primarily concentrated in the northern part of the province, while in Ilam they are mainly in the southern region.
Prior to the 20th century, a majority of Lors were nomadic herders, with an urban minority residing in the city of Khorramabad . There were several attempts by the Pahlavi governments to forcibly settle the nomadic segment of the Lor population. Under Reza Shah, these campaigns tended to be unsuccessful. The last shah of Iran , Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, used less forceful methods along with economic incentives, which met with greater, though not complete, success. By the mid-1980s the vast majority of Lors had been settled in towns and villages throughout the province, or had migrated to the major urban centers.
A number of nomadic Lor tribes continue to exist in the province. The authority of tribal elders still remains a strong influence among the nomads. As in Bakhtiari and Kurdish societies, Lor women have had much greater freedoms than women in other Iranian groups.

Northern Region
In the northern part of Lorestan, formerly known as Lesser Lorestan (“Lor-e-Kuchik“), live the Feili Lors, divided into the Pishkuh Lors in the east and Poshtkuh Lors in the adjoining Iraqi territory in the west.
Lesser Lorestan maintained its independence under a succession of princes of the Khorshidi dynasty, known as Atabegs, from 55 AD to the beginning of the 17th century. Shah Abbas I then removed the last Atabeg, Shah Verdi Khan, and entrusted the government of the province to Hossein Khan Shamlu, the chief of the rival tribe of Shamlou, with the title of Vali in exchange for that of Atabeg. The descendants of Hossein Khan retained the title as governors of the Poshtkuh Lors, to whom only the denomination of Feili now applies.

Southern Region
The southern part of the province, formerly known as Greater Lorestan (“Lor-e-Bozourg“), comprises the Bakhtiari region of the province of Khuzestan and the districts of the Mamasani and Kuhgilu Lors in Fars province.
At one time, Greater Lorestan formed an independent state under the Fazlevieh Atabegs from 1160 until 1424 AD. Its capital, Idaj, survives, with mounds and ruins at Malamir, 60 miles southeast of the city of Shoushtar in Khuzestan, stand as reminders of the Atabeg rule.

Faya Causey Talks at the National Gallery of Art

2008-06-21T20:41:00.003-04:00

Faya Causey Talks at the National Gallery of Art
July :
The Burials of the Bactrian Nomads
July 18 at 2:00PM
July 21, 22 at 1:00PM
(60 minutes)
East Building Ground Level, Information Desk

August:
Archaeology, Afghanistan, and the Ancient Silk Road
August 5, 8, 12 at 1:00PM
(60 minutes)
East Building Ground Level, Information Desk

Massive Cover-up at Çatalhöyük

2008-06-07T07:57:00.003-04:00

Ancient settlement to gain protective roof

Çatalhöyük will soon be sheltered from the elements by a large protective wooden roof, currently being constructed.

Çatalhöyük, one of the oldest known sites of human settlement, animal domestication and wheat cultivation, will soon be sheltered from the elements by a large protective wooden roof, currently being constructed.

Excavation work on the Neolithic site under the expertise and leadership of British archeologist Professor Ian Hodder began in 1993 and has continued intermittently since. Discoveries made so far at the 9,000-year-old mound include wall paintings, seals, and cooking and eating utensils decorated with various painted and carved figures.

The first excavation at the mound was in the 1960s, conducted by a team led by British archaeologist James Mellaart. Except for its southern area, the mound does not have any protection against the harsh weather conditions characteristic to the Central Anatolian region.

As part of the current excavation, sponsored by Boeing and Yapı Kredi, a giant roof is being built upon Hodder's advice. Sinan Omacan, an official from the İstanbul-based Atölye Architecture firm charged with the task of building the roof, told the Anatolia news agency that Çatalhöyük was a major tourist attraction as well as a scientific site and that it was essential to keep it in good condition. He said wood was being used in the construction to fit with the general aesthetic of the site.

"We decided that the material we would use for building had to be environment-friendly, such as wood instead of steel. The type of wood we have imported from Austria is extremely durable and sound, yet very light. Last summer the concrete foundations for each of the wooden pillars were laid. The roof will be nine-meters high and construction will finish in July. But despite the ongoing roof construction, archeologists are able to proceed with the excavation work according to plan," he said.

The top part of the roof will be covered with polycarbonate tiles and the new protective structure will be internally and externally appealing upon completion, he noted.

Vakil Mosque Renovated

2008-05-23T15:37:00.000-04:00

Vakil Mosque Renovated

Vakil Mosque has been renovated by Fars Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department.
According to Persian daily ’Iran’, the stones of the floor and tile-works were renovated, lighting system of the interior was improved, exterior of the nocturnal prayer rooms were renovated and the plasterworks were upgraded.
Vakil Mosque is situated west of the famous Vakil Bazaar. It was built in 1187 (AH) during Zand Dynasty. It covers an area of 8,660 square meters. On the two sides of the entrance gate there are magnificent tile-works and arches.
The left and right corridors of the entrance gate are connected to the main room. Alongside the altar there is a 14-step tall platform made of green marbles where the speaker has to climb a number of stairs to reach the top to address the audience. On the inscription of the entrance gate there are Quranic verses engraved in Sols and Nosakh scripts. The historic building was registered as national heritage about 76 years ago.
Vakil means regent which was the title used by Karim Khan the Zand ruler of Persia. Shiraz was the seat of Karim Khan’s government and he endowed many buildings, including this Mosque.

Film Fest to Focus on Handicrafts

2008-05-23T15:31:00.001-04:00

Film Fest to Focus on Handicrafts

Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry plans to hold a film festival centered on handicrafts and traditional arts.
Announcing this, Hossein Jafari, an official with the ministry said, “The festival, which seeks to introduce the significance of handicrafts and support Iranian artisans, will be held concurrent with handicraft week in June.“
He added that the festival will be held in two categories of amateur and professional, IRNA reported.
The event covers topics, including ’Production and Entrepreneurship’, ’Handicrafts and Secure Life’ and ’National Identity’.
Those interested in participating in the event should submit a copy of the works--10-30-min films or 30-50-min semi-features--on DVD to the festival’s secretariat by
May 9.

Parviz Tanavoli Praises Fiouzi Art Exhibit

2008-05-23T13:10:00.000-04:00

Fiouzi Art Exhibit Underway

Yahya Fiouzi

An exhibition of artworks by noted Iranian painter and architect Yahya Fiouzi is underway at Niavaran Cultural Complex.
The exhibit, titled ’Beyond Numbers, Magic Squares, Paintings and Sketches’, has on display 100 artworks based on numbers and the design of magic squares, said Niavaran’s Public Relations Office in a fax to Iran Daily.
The event’s inaugural ceremony on Friday was attended by several artists, including prominent sculptor Parviz Tanavoli and surrealist painter Iran Darroudi.
Speaking at the event, Tanavoli said, “I have been waiting so long to see Fiouzi’s works.“
He commended Fiouzi’s creations as being at par with works of international quality.
Darroudi, whose retrospective is currently underway at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts, also said, “Fiouzi is a ’contemporary Khayyam’ in terms of his mastery of the science of numbers.“
She added, “His works captivate the visitors. They are so intellectually stimulating that they remind one of his/her own creative mind and inspire us to discover what a wonderful universe each of us have within ourselves.“
Fiouzi also said that his works are capable of communicating with children and helping them turn the complicated world of mathematics into one of the most beautiful and lucid forms of knowledge.
The exhibition will run until May 30.

Ancient Yazd City Located

2008-05-23T13:01:00.000-04:00

Ancient Yazd City Located

After several years of research, cultural heritage experts managed to pinpoint the original site of the city of Yazd in the pre-Islam era.
Director of Yazd Cultural Heritage Department said the primary site of present-day Yazd is between 10 to 12 kilometers from its present site, CHN reported.
“The experts managed to identify monuments dating back to Achaemenid, Ashkanid and Sassanid eras, including works of architecture, pottery, furnace and even glasswork, in the ancient city of Yazd which is located over an area of 500 hectares,“ Mohammad Hossein Khademzadeh said.
He opined that archeologists managed to discover pottery works dating back to the pre-Achaemenid era.
“If studies show aqueducts played a major role in the development of the ancient city of Yazd, it will be a great breakthrough in the history of aqueducts in Iran,“ he said.
Khademzadeh pointed out that studies by experts show that the oldest aqueduct system was used in Bam city and during the Achaemenid era.
However, some experts believe that future excavations will lead them to the exact date of the construction of aqueduct, which is probably before the Achaemenid dynasty.

Anbouh Village: A Persian Tat village near Rasht

2008-05-23T12:55:00.001-04:00

Legacy of the Past

Anbouh Village

The historical village of Anbouh is located some 180 km to the south of Gilan’s capital city, Rasht and 116 km to the east of Roudbar.
Based on historical documentations, the arch-shaped bridge of the village was built during the reign of the Abbassids (750-1258 AD), IRNA reported.
The grand mosque of the village, on the basis of discovered epitaphs, dates back to 1,200 years. There is an ancient castle in the village called ’Chismaroud’. The ancient Grochel cemetery is also located in this village. The oldest epitaph found in the province of Gilan belongs to Anbouh. The epitaph belongs to 451 AH. There is another epitaph in the old cemetery of the village that pertains to a Muslim combatant who was martyred while defending his country and religion in 1199 AH.

The residents of the village are hospitable and always welcome tourists. They meet their own food and basic needs, such as sheep milk, yoghurt, meat, wool, pomegranate and walnuts. The people of the village are good-natured and honest. They hold special rituals, such as the Pomegranate Festival, which can help revive the spiritual legacies of the past which have been enfeebled because of western cultural onslaught.
The village’s inhabitants speak the ancient dialect of ’Tati’, which is rooted in Pahlavi language.
Head of Public Relations Office of Gilan’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department said the second traditional Pomegranate Festival was held in the current Iranian year to revive the ancient traditions of the historical sites of Gilan, especially Anbouh Village, and promote the tourist attractions of the village, which is among the 60 exemplary tourism sites of the province.“

Jafar Abedinejad added, “The department pays special attention to the village because of its historical importance, beautiful scenery and the spiritual and religious values of its people.“
He recalled that one special feature of this year’s pomegranate festival was holding a wedding ceremony, which appealed a great deal to the people visiting the area.
The official referred to traditional wrestling contest and traditional music as other attractive programs of the festival.
“What was most interesting in the festival was that people, especially women, were dressed in local and colorful costumes,“ he observed.
The dignified people of Anbouh only have 300 hectares of hazelnut gardens and 200 hectares of pomegranate gardens.
Anbouh and other villages similar to it need more attention from the officials to preserve the cultural legacies of ancient times.

Request for Persian? kilim ID on Turkotek

2008-05-11T15:07:00.000-04:00

Peter Ryley
Member

Registered: May 2008
Location: Hastings, UK
Posts: 2

Request for Persian? kilim ID

Hi Everybody,

I'd just like to say - as a new kid on the block - how happy I am to be here and that I was just blown away by the depth of knowledge, not to mention the devotion of the contributors on this site, which I came across a couple of days ago.

I have one kilim in my possession which no-one has been able to identify yet. It's supposed to be Persian and its supposed to be from around 1930. I think either of these 'facts' could readily be set aside if required.

As I know nothing about rugs, I don't even know whether this is going to be of any real interest to you superstars! The fact that I've never seen anything like it may well be neither here nor there. So, please enjoy, and whatever you can tell me....

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05-11-2008 12:21 AM

Richard Larkin
Member

Registered: May 2006
Location: Bolton, MA
Posts: 65174

Hi Peter,

Your kilim looks like a Kurdish village product. I think some in the business would call it a "Bijar kilim." The colors and large design elements are typical of this area. In particular, the range of colors in your piece are what one might find in a Bijar pile rug as well. Since you are a new kid on the block, not to mention the area code, I will point out that the orange in your rug is very likely a synthetic color, and not one your friendly neighborhood superstar is going to want to see in his/her collection. I'm not telling you not to like your rug, just that we all have been brainwashed in this manner.

Mid twentieth century sounds accurate for the age of it.

__________________
Rich Larkin

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05-11-2008 03:31 PM

Sue Zimerman
Guest

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Hi Peter,

Your kilim is just plain adorable. It cracks me up. Although it would be guaranteed to clash with everything I own, no room in my house would be safe from it if it were mine. I hope someone can answer your questions so I will know where to look for one of these for myself. I love it. Sue

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05-11-2008 03:32 PM

Peter Ryley
Member

Registered: May 2008
Location: Hastings, UK
Posts: 2

Quick off the mark!

Wow, that was a quick result!

Sue: I do a little rambling on my blog on, amongst other things, my 'art objects' as I call them - strictly idle chat, no knowledge guaranteed.
http://94stranger.wordpress.com/200...safter-matisse/
As you can see from the link, this blew me away. I had always had the impression that oriental rugs were (until very recently) quite po-faced, and I was taken aback by the funky patches of blue going on down both sides, and the Matisse-like (to my untutored eye) wild splashes of colour.
I think you rather hit the nail on the head - this piece has the merit/demerit of not being able to slide into the background in terms of decor-value. There's something knock-down-drag-out about those two rugby teams: the blues and the reds, squaring up to each other across the pitch, whilst if the orange referee was enlisted to calm down frayed nerves, he spectacularly failed to do so (see Richard's comments!)

Richard: one thing immediately gives credence to your impression: I am a sucker for rustic!
If it's Kurdish, would that explain why the Iranians don't seem to know what it is? I believe I'm correct in saying that Iran, Iraq, Syria, Russia and Turkey all have Kurds: oughtn't it to be possible, if it's Kurdish, to get closer geographically: if rustic, would it have the signature of a particular locality on it?
Finally, the orange: I see what you mean, though it hadn't struck me at the time. I wasn't sold this as a 100% vegetable-dyed piece, so no scam is involved. I take it you mean that the synthetic orange makes a major difference to the value?

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05-11-2008 06:55 PM

Steve Price
Administrator

Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 65107

Hi Peter

It's not often that Sue and I see eye to eye, but this is one of those rare events. I've long believed that one reason for the generally higher quality of antique textiles is that the best ones were more likely to survive, the pedestrian examples were trash decades ago. Most rugs made in the 20th century are aesthetically weak, I suspect that the same was true in the 19th, 18th, 17th century and so on.

Your kilim, in my opinion, has aesthetic qualities easily comparable to many of the surviving antiques. Synthetic orange dyes are things from which most collectors generally shrink as if accursed. The palette that I see on my monitor seems quite harmonious, and the synthetic dye doesn't bother me a bit.

Kurdistan includes parts of Turkey, Iran and Iraq. Rich guesses from the palette and large design elements that yours is from the Bijar area. That's probably as good a guess as any. Personally, I don't think it makes much difference whether it's right or not.

Regards

Steve Price

Lewis and Susan Manilow Gift to the Art Institute of Chicago's

2008-02-10T16:02:00.000-05:00

May 29, 2002

By Brian McCormick

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Museum benefits from gifts

The Art Institute of Chicago's already impressive collection of prints and drawings took a significant leap forward today with the announcement of several gifts and acquisitions.

Among the most impressive will be the donation of at least 90 Old Master drawings by Italian Renaissance and Baroque artists including Raphael, Titian and Guido Reni. Jean Goldman, a member of the faculty at the School of the Art Institute, and her husband, Chicago attorney Steven Goldman, are promising the works.

Their donation will join a collection of 41 drawings by Paul Gauguin, also donated to the museum today by Art Institute Trustee Edward McCormick Blair Sr., which museum officials say is the largest gift of Gauguin drawings ever to an American museum.

Other gifts announced today include 30 works on paper by post-war and contemporary German artists, donated by real estate developer and arts patron Lewis Manilow and his wife, Susan.



Related Article Topics \| Related Industry News

Pande, a collector of antique rugs and handwoven textiles

2007-10-25T18:01:00.000-04:00

"Vinay Pande, managing director and chief investment adviser at Deutsche Bank in New York, makes his personal investments on the counsel of a clutch of experts who have little to do with finance. Pande, a collector of antique rugs and handwoven textiles, puts his faith in other connoisseurs of antique fabrics. “Betting your hard-earned money on a rug that has no value can be a costly error, and I find it better to validate my gut feeling about a particular piece by seeking help from experts,” says Pande, who has one of the largest rug collections in the US."

"Pande’s six-bedroom, 8,000 sq. ft Connecticut home, which he shares with wife Shonu, nine-year-old daughter Malavika and their dog, is a veritable museum of fine antique textiles displayed on walls, floors, even furniture. Within that treasure trove is a rare kilim rug that he picked up from a Kashmiri trader in Mumbai for a paltry $5 (about Rs200), and a collection of saddle bags and accessories used by the desert nomads of Turkmenistan."

"Pande’s latest assignment with Deutsche Bank usually leaves him with little time to devote to his hobby. He now depends on the Internet and a network of experts at auction houses to verify the authenticity of his picks. And his reputation as a serious collector has spread enough for sellers to contact him directly."

Vinay Pande on Blogger

2007-10-25T17:33:00.000-04:00

vinay pande
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Astrological Sign: Pisces
Zodiac Year: Rooster
Occupation: Hedge Fund Manager
Location: Greenwich : Connecticut : United States
About Me
i live with the (extended) family and my dog charlie in greenwich ct a small new england town not far from new york city

Whoops! Your tongue is now a magnet. Whatever will you use for silverware?
plastic

Interests
rugs textiles books cinema classical music swimming sailing wildlife photography old watches old pens building houses landscape design... i edit the newsletter and serve on the board of the Hajji Baba Club the oldest rug society in north america. check out its website where the newsletter and photographs get posted regularly. www.hajjibaba.org

Vinay Pande Chief Investment Advisor for Global Markets Research Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

2007-10-25T17:23:00.000-04:00

Deutsche Bank Global Markets Research strengthens its Investment Advisory Group
Gerald Lucas to join as Senior Investment Advisor

New York, August 7, 2006

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. today announced that Gerald Lucas will join its Global Markets Research group as a Director and Senior Investment Advisor in the Investment Advisory Group. Lucas joins from Banc of America Securities, where he was Chief Treasury and Agency Strategist. He will be based in New York and report to Vinay Pande, who joined the firm in May as Chief Investment Advisor for Global Markets Research. Additionally, Brad Jones has been appointed Senior Investment Advisor. Jones joins the Investment Advisory Group from the Global Markets Research Foreign Exchange Strategy Group. He will continue to be based in London and will also report to Pande.
Led by Pande, the Investment Advisory Group has a broad remit to research investment strategies spanning all products and regions. The team will study market flows and trading patterns to provide insights into investor behavior and report on noteworthy market developments.

Pande joined the bank from Caxton Associates, where he was a senior fund manager specializing in macro trading strategies. Prior to joining Caxton, he held senior proprietary trading positions at JP Morgan, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs. Before that, Pande was the Chief Investment Officer at the World Bank in Washington, DC.

Lucas joins Deutsche Bank after three years at Banc of America Securities where as Chief Agency and Treasury Strategist he created the treasury and agency research function and formulated trading strategies for the firm's sales and trading teams using both relative value financial models and fundamental macro-economic analysis. Prior to that he was at Merrill Lynch for 16 years, most recently as Senior Government and Derivatives Strategist. Lucas has been named five times to the Institutional Investor All American Fixed Income Research Team for US Government Research.

Jones joined the firm in 2003 from Macquarie University in Sydney, where as a Financial Economist, his research centered around macroeconomic-based approaches to asset pricing.

"Gerry has a deep understanding of the markets and brings valuable perspective to our efforts to tap into the information flow across all asset classes and geographic regions," said Pande. "Brad has produced excellent theoretical and applied analysis for the Bank's clients and we are very excited to have him as a member of our Investment Advisory team. Our combined trading, research and academic backgrounds will enable us to deliver unique alpha-generating investment ideas to our clients."

Pande earned an MA from the University of Bombay and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Lucas has a BS from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Jones has a First Class Honors degree in Economics from the University of Western Australia, and a PhD in International Finance from Macquarie University.

For further information, please call:

Michele Allison +1 212 250 4864
Press & Media Relations

The Yalta Betrayal - Arthur Upham Pope

2006-02-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

The Yalta Betrayal - Best Resource on FDR: " "The Yalta Declaration," Bulganin told the Lublin
stooges on February 17, 1945 (less than a week after
it was signed), "is a scrap of paper.... You will be the
Government of Poland, no matter how those elections
turn out and whatever might happen in the mean-
time. Be steadfast and have faith in Stalin!"*95*

At about this time, on February 13, 1945, Professor
Arthur Upham Pope, a vice-chairman of the National
Council of American-Soviet Friendship and a perennial
booster of the Soviet causes, in the Daily Worker (p. 7),
indicated the right "line" by calling the Polish govern-
ment in London a group of "reactionaries" and exhort-
ing the future Fifth Amendment Americans to back
the Lublinites. The crypto-Communists and other
worshipers of "dialectic materialism" in the editorial
offices of hundreds of respectable newspapers knew
where to look for their cues.

"

Acorn Books: : MAXIM LITVINOFF: A BIOGRAPHY by Pope Arthur Upham - San Francisco

2006-02-08T12:19:00.000-05:00

Acorn Books: : MAXIM LITVINOFF: A BIOGRAPHY by Pope Arthur Upham - San Francisco: "Title: MAXIM LITVINOFF: A BIOGRAPHY
Author: Pope Arthur Upham
Publisher: Fischer
Place Published: NY
Date Published: (1943)
Binding: Octavo. 530 pgs with index. Cloth in price-clipped and lightly chipped pictorial orange dust jacket.
Description: Biography of the former Soviet Ambassador to the United States Maxim Litvinoff
Book Condition: Very good condition with good+ jacket in protective mylar wrapper.
Edition: 2nd Edition.
Category: FOREIGN LANDS
Price: $7.50 Add to your cart
Book # 219024 "

Farsiwan Rugs of the Afghan Baluch Type

2006-02-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Hello,
When I started studying rugs I focused on the Baluch type rugs of Afghanistan. One of the areas where I focused a good bit of time was on structure. (The server I stored my data on was lost and I no longer have the data so I will write as best as I can remember.) What I found were that they broke out into a number of fairly distinct groups. The coarsest group averaged 30 – 40 kpsi and had a wool wrapped selvage. Everyone called these Baluchi rugs but they were distinctly different from the other 7 groups that were also sold as Baluch. The warps were usually wool and the wefts could be whatever was handy, sometimes several different types of wool and cotton in the same rug. As I researched them I found that the importers called them Farsiwan rugs. Farsi is the main Persian language and wan in this context means speaker. They were called Farsiwan because the weavers were Farsi speaking Persians living in the Heart area.

I no longer have an example of a Farsiwan rug but Nathan Koets has a rug in his collection that passed through my hands a number of years ago.

As I researched the Baluchi rugs I found that knot count, selvages, end finishes, materials, and borders could give us the clues to attribute those rugs to a particular group
More Later,
Barry

Cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

2006-02-07T19:06:00.000-05:00

Hello,
I have very mixed feelings about the cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). I support the concept of freedom of the press but I am disgusted by those who choose to so flagrantly abuse it. I also oppose torching Embassies and Consulates, however I can understand the anger of those who are truely offended. What it serves to do is to create divisions that are bad for all. I think the Danes and other Europeans who have blasphemed the Prophet should apologize. I say this as a Christian and as an American. My certainty in the correctness of my faith in no way allows me to be rude to Islam or its Prophet and thye people who follow him. .
Best wishes,
Barry O'Connell