Oriental Rugs: Ghiordes or Turkish Sehne or Persian
DIAGRAM SHOWING MANNER OF TYING KNOTS IN ORIENTAL RUGS.
Fibers and materials. A great variety of materials is used in the making of Oriental rugs. Wool is the all-important textile of the industry; cotton, the base and binder; hair and silk, the occasional materials. Hemp, jute, and linen are also used in their manufacture; but to be a real judge of rugs, one must be a judge of wools. Wool is a modified form of hair, distinguishable from it by its softness, curl, and elasticity, and by the microscopic overlapping scales of its surface. It is sometimes impossible to determine whether an aimal fiber is wool or hair, because the one by degrees merges into the other. Fine wool has as many as 2,800 scales to the inch. Poor wool has not more than 500. This makes a difference in Oriental rugs in the absorption and retention of dye.
The best wool is taken from the shoulders and sides of the young sheep, goat, or camel. Wool taken from old, undernourished, or dead animals is of second and third grade. The importance of the quality and condition of the wool in Oriental rugs is accentuated by the possible effects of the processes that are applied to finish them for the market. These processes, known as washing or treating, are the application to new rugs of various chemical solutions that diminish the strength of the raw dyes and colors. If carelessly applied, these solutions actually consume the fabric. When applied to good wools and dyes, they do little or no damage. As practically all modern Oriental rugs are treated, the buyer must concern himself to secure rugs that have been wisely treated. |
