RUGS AND CARPETS 275

Persian rugs have been the most popular of the Oriental rugs.
They are outstanding for expert workmanship, subtle coloring,
and fine design. Their rather small conventionalized designs are
based on natural forms, such as flowers, trees, vines, birds, rivers,
and clouds. The rugs are completely covered with,a profusion
of these graceful motifs. A beautiful example appears on page 280.
Among the best-known rugs are the Bijar, Feraghan, Ispahan,
Kashan, Kermanshah, Saraband, and Sarook. The names of cities
and provinces where they are made are usually given to Oriental
rugs.

Turkish rugs are bolder in design than Persian rugs. Patterns
consist of more highly conventionalized floral and geometric
forms. The lines of city architecture and Turkish symbols such
as pinks, tulips, and hyacinths are favorite motifs. The color is
less varied and suave than in the Persian rugs, but not so limited
as the Caucasian. Among the Turkish rugs are the Anatolian,
Armenian, Bergama, Ghiordes, and Yuruk. See page 281.

Caucasian rugs are made by the tribes living on the mountainous
isthmus between the Black and the Caspian seas. These rugs are
even bolder in design and color than the Turkish. Among the
design motifs are geometric forms of animals and humans, snow
crystals, stars, crosses, and latch hooks which are combined into
mosaic effects. Representative rugs are the Cabistan Daghestan,
Kazak, Shirman, and Soumak.

Turkoman rugs, made by tribes in central Asia, are usually a
rich, dark red. The design motifs are simple geometric forms
without symbolism. The outstanding rug is the Bokhara (see
pages 281 and 476), others are from Afghanistan, Beluchistan,
Samarkand, and Turkestan.

Chinese rugs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were
beautiful (page 280), but the modern rugs are often without merit
in design, for in them naturalistic dragons, clouds, waves, trellises,
flowers, and birds, usually blue, are scattered around over light
backgrounds in confusion. A promising new development has
been the production of one-tone, textured, patternless rugs.

Indian rugs vary considerably in different parts of India. Their
designs have been influenced by beautiful fabrics, sculptures, and
architecture of the country. The least realistic designs are usually
the best. Indian rugs display great variety in color and texture.