This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...of floors. This seems a short period in which to reckon, when the history of floor coverings dates from before the Christian era, even to the ancient days of Egyptian splendour. Prior to that time primitive ages had adopted the skins of wild beasts to make a comfortable foothold in their habitations. The Babylonians ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...of floors. This seems a short period in which to reckon, when the history of floor coverings dates from before the Christian era, even to the ancient days of Egyptian splendour. Prior to that time primitive ages had adopted the skins of wild beasts to make a comfortable foothold in their habitations. The Babylonians were renowned for their weaving of rugs and the ornamentation they introduced. From them the art was passed on to the Persians and the peoples of India, and so through Asia and Eastern Europe and, after the Renaissance, into France and England. To the Oriental, rug weaving has a meaning much deeper than that of a mere mercantile pursuit. It is intertwined with customs, traditions, legendary lore and mythology. In India some of the designs are handed down through generations of weavers. In Persia and Turkey the sacramental character of the rug is prominent, as it was originally made for places of worship or in honour of the visits of distinguished persons. Certain shapes and patterns are, even at the present day, reserved for use at prayer. They may be of any variety of weave or any combination of colour, but the design must show an arch, to represent the door of a mosque. Sometimes three medallions are added, one for the head of the worshipper, and one at each side for his hands. Sometimes the kelim rug, when woven by a Turkish girl to show her future husband her ability in the national occupation, has a romantic association. Large rugs often employ an entire family, and very fine examples may cover many years of industry. The amount of work put into a single yard of fine weaving (notably the Persian) may be estimated by the number of stitches--a matter, perhaps, of from two to three hundred thousand. The vegetable dyes used in Persia have made ...
Read Less
Add this copy of Home Furnishing, Practical and Artistic to cart. $63.74, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Palala Press.
