maroon, orange,
and a few black lines. There is a fringe at each end of the rug, but at
one end it is much deeper than at the other._]

_Goerevan_ rugs are woven in the neighborhood of Herez. They are exported
in large sizes, and are generally rather showy and elaborate. Quite firm
and durable, they are popular for dining-rooms. As they are in great
demand in the trade, they are turned out too rapidly, but careful
selection brings happy results, for sometimes a truly beautiful rug,
with rich warm coloring and a medallion not too pronounced, is found.

_Hamadan_ rugs are generally of camel's hair, although sometimes goat's
hair is added. The field is in the natural shade, as is the surrounding
border. An elongated medallion appears in the centre; this is ornamented
with floral designs in red, blue, and yellow, as are also the corner
areas. Antique Hamadans are very beautiful. Soft and silky, yet with
firmness of texture, and in subdued coloring, they seem appropriate for
any room. Some of them, with fine, delicate tracery, in soft shades,
remind one of beautiful stained glass seen in the old cathedrals of
Europe.

_Herat_ rugs are now woven in Persia by tribes originally from
Afghanistan. The old city of Herat was under Persian influence, which
accounts for the fine character of its rugs. The modern Herat rug is of
excellent quality and durable. The leading design is naturally the
Herati, and again one sees the palm leaf with its apexes all pointing in
the same direction. The field is generally a deep blue, although
sometimes a rich red, and even ivory. Green is apt to be the main color
in the border, and occasionally the butterfly motif is noticed. Some of
the modern rugs have medallion centres, in which the wool is generally
red or blue, and sometimes green or yellow.

_Herez_ rugs are attractive, the chief color often being a fine blue,
upon which rests a pronounced medallion. The corners are defined by
serrated lines, and are in shades of the red in autumn leaves. Often
these corners are decorated with small designs. The main border stripe
is light in color--often cream--with good-sized markings. Herez rugs are
made in the province of Azerbaijan.

_Iran_ is the official name for Persia, and when a rug is called by this
name, the meaning is simply that it is a Persian rug.

[Illustration: FERAGHAN RUG

SIZE, 24.8 x 15

_This is a most unusual antique Feraghan. It is rare to find an antique
of such enormous