Area Rugs Collecting Resources (02)

Silk and Wool: Designs in Turkish Rugs
Take a look at Turkish rug designs with this informative article. In it, author Gerard Paquin says that some of the mystery and appeal of the Oriental carpet for collectors and scholars is its ability to incorporate designs from a wide range of sources. But when you look into the origins of designs, it should give us a better understanding of the economic and artistic contexts in which a rug is woven.

Rug Cultures Across the Globe
This is another site by Barry O’Connell that features information about Persian, Caucasian, Prayer, Central Asian Afghan, Classical, Mughal, Turkish, and Turkmen rugs. He shares his worldly knowledge about rugs, clearly defining cultural terms for all to understand. There is a section for beginners, as well as links and photographs of many rugs of interest to collectors.

New England Rug Society
Though this site is made for those living in New England, there are still a wealth of valuable resources, especially in the literature section. There are gallery photographs of exhibits around the world as well, as well is information about the society, meetings and a newsletter. Links go to auction houses, museums, other rug societies, books and education/discussion about rug collecting and making.

Turkmen Trappings
This provides a history and overview of Turkmen weavings. Around 1875, the Czarist Russian government finally succeeded in conquering the various groups, known collectively as the Turkmen confederation, who fiercely resisted all efforts to remove them from the area of southwest Russia. The war had lasted for several decades and the Turkmen, like the native Indians of the American southwest, were able to remain victorious against superior military technology and numbers. When the Russian government allocated tremendously increased resources and manpower (like the government of the United States did against the American Indians) they succeeded. Territorial imperatives were satisfied - at the expense of the total destruction the Turkmen (and as was the case in America, the American Indian) lifestyle, traditions and culture. More information includes photos of Turkmen rugs.