The Rug Bookshelf!
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This is where we will be highlighting and reviewing some of the rug books, old and new, that are available out there, and when possible, where you can purchase a copy for your own library.
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Oriental Rugs Today by Emmett Eiland
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A rug renaissance occurred beginning in the mid 1980’s, according to author Emmett Eiland. In this gorgeous volume, a case is made for the outstanding, high-quality rugs that are being produced in the classic rug weaving areas in the last few decades. Between the 1930s and the 1980s, it seems the rug weaving industry went through a dark ages, as originality and creativity took a back seat to corner-cutting mass production. In this book, Eiland presents his case that the rugs being produced now rival – and in many case surpass – most of what has been produced in the entirety of the 20th century. He discusses the methods and philosophies governing rug production today, and the exciting, beautiful rugs that are resulting from them. Entire chapters are devoted to rugs coming from all of the classic rug weaving countries: Turkey, Tibet, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, China, Iran & Egypt. The pros and cons of antique vs new are covered as well, and the whole book is written in an easy-to-approach and –digest way. If you are curious about adding some newer carpets to your collection, you should let this book serve as a guidepost, pointing you in the best direction.
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The Oriental Rug Lexicon by Peter F. Stone
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This is a terrific catch-all book that covers rug terms, A to Z. Any aspect of rug weaving, rug design, rug types and villages, and rug terms you want information on, you can find it here in this lexicon. It is also filled with pictures, drawings and diagrams. American Indian weavings are also represented. This is a great place to begin a rug book library, if you are new to collecting, and also is a great volume to add to your existing library if you’ve been collecting for a while.
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This is a terrific book on Caucasian Carpets, with dozens of wonderful full-color pictures. It was intended (at the time of its initial writing) to be an introduction to the world of Caucasian Carpets, to accompany an exhibit of Caucasian rugs in Germany in 1962. It evolved and expanded, going much further into detail and adding the full-color pictures of all of the discussed Caucasian variations within.
“However, [the book] does not claim absolute accuracy or to be exhaustive. The catalogue has been altered to the extent that only such carpets have been dealt with as could be illustrated, whereas the General Section has retained the introduction to the specifically Caucasian art of carpet weaving.”
As mentioned, the introduction covers the basics of Caucasian rug weaving, as far as structure, materials, color, dating and design basics. The bulk of the book covers the different rugs from the various districts, including descriptions and a full-page photograph of a great example. The accompanying text is clear and straight-forward, and presented on each page in both English and German.
Overall, a great addition to your rug library; easy to access and great to leaf through.
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The Carpet: Origins, Art and History by Enza Milanesi
Copyright 1997
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Another great, general “overview” type of book, this time focused upon rugs in general, from all regions, rather than honing in on one particular facet or region. It covers general construction elements, but spends more time on designs and symbolism, including innumerable photos, drawings and schematics of rug designs and elements. The author has included terrific, full-color photographs of many of the oldest carpets and carpet fragments that you’ll see anywhere, from the great rug weaving regions, and even some European weaving areas (Spain, France, England). The stress is on the origins of rug weaving, and so the discussion stays on piled rugs (meaning American Indian weavings are not mentioned, nor any other flatweave that I could see).
Highly recommended, for the approachable information and the great collection of photos of the most ancient surviving weavings. The cost for this book is (at the moment) inexpensive compared to many other of the classic rug books.
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As you may have deduced from the title, this book is an in-depth study of the Turkoman carpet. If you are a serious student of the Turkoman carpet, or have become smitten by them and would like some information about them that goes a little deeper than the general books provide, this is the place to go. It is 300 pages of nuanced information, accompanied by dozens and dozens of full-color pictures and many line drawings, including information on the meaning of the various designs and symbols found on the many different types of Turkoman pieces.
As indicated by the title, this book is one in a series of books that similarly focus in depth on specific types of rugs. The other Volumes are: Volume 1: Caucasian Rugs by Ian Bennett; Volume 2: Persian Rugs by Erich Auschenbrenner; Volume 3: Carpets of Afghanistan by R.D. Parsons; and Volume 4: Turkish Rugs by K. Zipper & C. Fritzsche.
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Oriental Rugs: A Complete Guide by Charles W. Jacobsen
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A good catch-all resource for basic information on oriental rugs and rug terms. Written by Charles W Jacobsen, first released in 1962, and has gone through many revisions. In fact, the priginal book that this work is based upon was written by Jacobsen in 1931. The information is easy to read, though out-dated in places. If you get the most current version of the book, the material has been updated (the version pictured is the 1979 edition). The nearly 400-page book has many pictures of different rugs and design types, most of them black and white (in the '79 version). It's a good, solid resource, worthy of a place in your collection.