uttles.
Karamanian is another name given to this decorative piece of tapestry.
The Karamanian is woven in the tents of the nomad Yuruks and other
Turkoman tribes. Occasionally this weave and the Kurdish have a mihrab
at one end, showing it to be a prayer rug. The Sinna Khilims have a
Herati design, and colors of green, yellow, and rose are frequent. The
webbing at the end often contains a narrow stripe.
A bit of romantic sentiment is woven into the Kis Khilims, as those made
by the Turks in Anatolia are often called. It is asserted that the word
means "Bride's rug," and that the name is derived from the fact that
these rugs are woven by young girls, each of whom endeavors to finish
her rug in time to win a husband. A lock of hair is often found in the
Kis Khilim, said to have been woven in by the girl who made it.
In Oriental countries the Khilim is used as a floor covering, and also
as a curtain to divide the dwelling portion of the tent from that in
which the cattle are sheltered from the storm. It is also used by the
natives on their journeys, and for general wear on the floors.
In the United States this fabric is exceedingly popular as a hanging,
and for the cover of a divan it is equally effective, whether used in
the home or in the studio.
POLISH RUGS
There are few of the so-called Polish rugs in existence, and these are
priceless and cannot be bought. They are mostly seven feet long by four
wide. The name takes its origin from the fact that a Pole (by name
Mersherski), after travelling in Persia and India, established a rug
factory in Warsaw.
Polish rugs are of silk, with gold and silver thread interwoven. Their
texture is looser than that of the usual Oriental rug, and for this
reason they cannot stand hard wear; but they are exceedingly handsome
with their gold lustre and silky sheen. In these rugs a number of warp
threads are crossed by the metal threads and overspread, so that the
lines or ribs are brought out more prominently. This in part accounts
for the softness and looseness of the texture.
Some time ago Dr. Wilhelm Bode, the eminent German scholar and authority
on antique Oriental rugs, decided that these unusual rugs were of
Persian origin, because of their general style and design. Since then
Mr. R. Martin has proved this by documentary evidence.
PRAYER RUGS
The prayer rug is so distinctly _sui generis_ that it requires a little
explanation. It is to be found wherever dwell t
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