Turkish rugs
When Paris Bordoni (1500-1571) painted the beautiful ceremonial picture in the Academy in Venice he used an Ouchak for the center of the steps. This is positive proof, if other be wanting, of the age of such a rug. Furthermore, Van Dyke painted such a carpet between the years 1620 and 1625 when he lived in Genoa. For many years this type of rug was called Hispano-Moresque and the colors are indeed Spanish, splendid old reds, yellows and blues, but authorities have proved that it was made in the place whose name it bears.
It is. supposed that the large ones were woven for reigning mon-archs, especially for those of Spain.
Chinese rugs
Fifth great epoch in the production of Chinese styles began with the Emperor K'ang-hsi of the present dynasty, and extended for one hundred years until the latter part of the eighteenth century.
The influence of Persia and the middle Orient was felt very much dming this period, and differentiated its ornament from all that had gone before.
The historic ornament of China as applied to the decoration of rugs may be divided into these five great styles.
From these styles weavers have appropriated the designs best adapted to the limitations of their looms, and oftentimes, when ornament as applied to some other of the industrial arts is copied by weavers, great freedom is notice¬able in the handling of designs.
The arts are interdependent, and the objects produced by jade, ivory, and wood carvers, bronze mirror makers and potters have furnished rug weavers with many of their most attractive inspira¬tions.
These five styles may be subdivided, contracted or extended for specific purposes, but the broad classification is all that is nec¬ essary in the study of rugs.
Antique Spanish rugs
Antique Spanish rugs are fine and firm in texture.
The so-called Gothic Sanctuary Rugs are both very attractive and very rare. The field is of soft yellow relieved by rich blue. Sometimes a deep red adds a harmonious contrast. The designs are restful and simple. Many of them are suggestive of church emblems.
The lily, at times as a single *flower and again in a vase is seen, and frequently a wine glass or chalice. There are graceful arabesque forms with running "vines, crosses and scrolls. Fine, specimens are seen in the Palace of the Escurial and in the Prado Gallery in Madrid.
