Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and
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Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns a...

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Editorial Reviews

"One of the most useful books to cover the whole of the field...Mr. Ford is to be congratulated on having produced a work that should stand the test of time."—Carpet Review Weekly

In this comprehensive survey, P. R. J. Ford shows readers how to recognize the different structural and design features of oriental rugs and carpets. The designs are grouped according to their essential characteristics. This approach illuminates the cultural background of each, revealing at once the similarities and the differences between the various carpet-weaving areas

Illustrations of modern types, with descriptions of their key characteristics—construction, materials, sizes, colors—and of the clues that establish a rug's precise origins, appear together with a balanced appraisal of the qualities of modern production from towns, villages, and tribal areas. Extensive cross-referencing and detailed indexes make this an invaluable reference guide for dealers and collectors, and for anyone who has an appreciation of and interest in rugs. 800+ illustrations and photographs, 400 in color.

Customer Reviews

very interesting book

Reviewed by Aliki Maxoutoglou, 2009-12-28

helpful, easy to read, nice job, it will be the right-hand of the specialists in carpets

Good, but perhaps something for a time capsule

Reviewed by Eric Trowbridge, 2009-11-07

This is a comprehensive, well-researched, and lavishly illustrated guide to Oriental carpet design. Despite this, the book is actually rather limited in its coverage: the vast majority of the rugs the author describes are from the mid-20th century. For various reasons - including the disappearance of traditional weaving methods (notably characterized by the widespread adoption of synthethic dyes) and the "industrialization" of carpet making in several parts of Asia - this is not an era that collectors particularly esteem. And, while there are high-quality pieces from that period on the market, they are the exception rather than the rule. Therefore, "Oriental Carpet Design" may somewhat disappoint serious collectors, and will provide novices a surfeit of information on rugs from a very specific time in history. As an alternative, while it focuses on 19th century, museum-quality rugs which are beyond the reach of most of us, I think Murray Eiland's "Oriental Carpets: A Complete Guide" remains the best single volume on the subject.

Outstanding Resource

Reviewed by Nancy L. Beebe, 2008-12-14

This book is an outstanding resource for anyone from novice to expert, who wants to identify or has an interest in oriental carpets and rugs.

Excellent!

Reviewed by Bruno Ferraz Coutinho, 2008-07-03

The book is a very well written vol d'oiseau over modern oriental rugs and carpets with excellent pictures and timely historical notes. Certainly one of the best works available in the field both to beginners and connoisseurs.

Oriental Carpet Design

Reviewed by N. Pemberton, 2007-02-17

This is an excellent book to find all the information one needs on Persian and Oriental carpets. Very informative, and beautiful colour plates.