Starting To Collect Antique Oriental Rugs

by Murray L. Eiland Jr.

Continuing the readable, informative and helpful series 'Starting to Collect', this volume investigates one of the most thorny of collecting fields - antique oriental rugs. Novice collectors are in good hands here, for the author takes them through the initial problembatical areas - where to buy, what to look for, care and restoration, before turning his attention to the materials and techniques, dyes and designs, involved in the manufacture of rugs. In subsequent chapters on the output of different rug-producing locations, Dr. Eiland considers these area by area, so that, for instance, Persian rugs are discussed under eighteen area subheadings, including the Aegean region, Grdes, and the Anatolian coast. Within each chapter he considers the typical structure, size, designs and colours found in the area, together with any other significant features which will aid the new collector in identification. The body of the book presents and illustrates rugs from Persia, Turkey, the Caucasus, Afghanistan,

Genres: Reference

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 2007

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall this is a very well written and beautifully illustrated concise guide to Oriental rugs which I read cover to cover in just a few sittings - and this is rare for me to do with rugs books (preferring to use them as a reference to research specific topics). Eiland presents the whole subject skillfully and with enough detail to make it consistently interesting (for instance, I never knew there were pile rugs made in Japan, and seeing one illustrated is great). It works as both a general beginner's book as well as a beginner collector's guide, and is it recent enough (2003) to include the current trends in design and manufacture; highly recommended.

[Chrissie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this a couple of years ago and bought it NOT as a guide for future purchases but as a guide for learning about the rugs coming from different areas. I liked it and will refer back to it when I see an interesting Oriental rug.