Oriental Rugs : The Illustrated World Buyers' Guide Book

This book is the most definitive and up-to-date Oriental rugs buyers' guide on the market today. Illustrated extensively with drawings, maps, and color photographs, it offers all the information that the expert or novice buyer, collector, dealer, or enthusiast needs to know about identifying, evaluating, buying, displaying, storing, caring for, and repairing Oriental rugs. Oriental Rugs: The Illustrated World Buyers' Guide begins with chapters offering important information on how a rug is constructed, discussing the weaving process, materials, finishes, dyes, types of rugs, designs, inscriptions, borders, patterns, and dates. Then, using a country-by-country format, the book describes and shows the rugs of all the major weaving centers. The illustrated examples represent rugs readily available in different markets around the world. Also included are brief histories of the regions and discussions of the structural characteristics of rugs, of common designs, and of color combinations, as well as maps of the regions. The last chapters of the book provide valuable information about evaluating the condition of a rug; determining its knot count, age, and value; and distinguishing hand-knotted from machine-made rugs. You will also learn how to buy and bargain for an Oriental rug - whether you are buying at auctions, auction houses, estate sales, or shops, or are purchasing overseas. Charts summarize rug characteristics and compare the durability and prices of new, used, and antique rugs. The book concludes with a glossary of rug terminology and an extensive bibliography.

A comprehensive, up-to-date reference that supplies Oriental rug-buyers with the guidance and information necessary to make intelligent purchases. Includes a country-by-country survey of currently available rugs and advice on evaluating, buying and caring for Oriental rugs. 150 full-color photos; 40 illustrations.