Customer Reviews:
Sadly Lacking.......2007-07-27
A veritable stream of meaningless gibberish masquerading as fount of knowledge, this book is the benchmark in specious academicism. With his bias firmly planted in the Caucusus, the author skips merrily past the last century of rug design, and completely dismisses Turkish curvilinear rugs altogether. This book is trumpeted in the industry as being the first and last word on the subject. In my estimation, it is the clarion call for a more gifted author to prepare an unbiased, unpretentious, and well-researched book on the subject. If you've read Ford's "Oriental Carpet Design" then you know that the call has already been heeded.
Oriental Carpets: A Complete Guide - The Classic Reference.......2007-03-29
Bought for myself as a tool to help teach myself about Persian rugs, this book is so wonderful I gave it as a housewarming present to a friend of mine, freshly divorced who is decorating his new house. Perfect! The authors, the Murray Eilands Jr. and III, a father and son team, are experts in their field. The father, a practicing psychiatrist in California, has been studying and collecting Oriental rugs for almost 40 years, and his son has a doctorate from Oxford in Near Eastern archeology (including textile development), so you would be learning from very special, knowledgeable accomplished folks who love their textiles and rugs. I recommend this book highly.
My best reference book on rugs.......2007-03-26
Easy to use and I think a must for anyone seriously wishing to acquire a sound knowlege of oriental rugs whatever his or her aims. Delighted with the clear and elegant text. Good image collection too.
Disappointing.......2007-01-22
This is a beautiful book, but the coverage is overwhelmingly for geometric oriental rugs, with a large section added for Chinese. I was looking for the more ornate styles (Heriz, Tabriz, Sultanabad, and so on) that are so very beautiful. These are grossly underrepresented in this book, if at all (e.g., most are not). I am sorry I purchased the book.
Oriental Carpets: A Complete Guide.......2007-01-03
This book is all you want to know about oriental carpets. The writing is energetic and not too pedantic. The illustrations are top notch. With it's help I was able to track down my recently acquired Caucasian to Perepedil. I had been told it was from Ardabil in Iran when in fact it is from Azerbajian near Kuba. A dear friend's carpet was finally identified as an American hand painted Sarouk. It was a hand me down and it's origins were a mystery for 50 years. It is a very heavy book but if I was to go to Turkey for additional purchases I would not hesitate to bring it along.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Reference.......2003-11-23
This is probably the most frequently used carpet book I have. I'm not a dealer or serious collector - just wanted to buy nice rugs for the house but I wanted to know what I was buying. I first found this at the library and ended up buying it (along with 2 others that are bigger and different). I go to this book first every time I have a question. This book has great maps of the areas, history of the people in each of the areas, great drawings and explainations of the different symbols and motifs, discussions on the knots/weaves and what to look for in terms of quality, typical indications of what to look for in each type of carpet, and more. We recently returned from a trip to Turkey/Istanbul where we went to the Grand Bazaar and bought carpets for the house - it was lots of fun (great people)- and I feel that this book really helped me not only appreciate the rug making and understand some of the history but also make more informed decisions when shopping. Highly recommeded!
A good book for beginners.......2003-06-23
This book looks like a beginner level general rug book but it is actually very useful. Of all of my beginner books this is one I still go back to...
pretty basic primer.......2000-04-28
this is a pretty basic primer for those just beginning to collect oriental carpets. There are quite a few pictures/examples, although the book is less than comprehensive.
Book Description
Rugs to Riches is an authoritative, lively, and eminently practical guide for people who want to learn the dos and don'ts of choosing handmade oriental rugs. Caroline Bosly, one of the foremost rug brokers in the world, describes the various types of rugs and their origins, explains the difference between buying new and antique rugs, and tells you how to buy a rug of any size at the best possible price. Written in a simple, straightforward style that strips away the mystique from oriental rugs, Rugs to Riches also advises you on:
Determining whether a rug is handmade or not, and whether it has been altered in any way.
Evaluating a rug's condition and determining whether the retail price is a fair one, using a simple point system.
Bargaining down the price of a rug, no matter what type of store you find it in.
Selling a rug and making a profit.
Decorating with oriental rugs and ensuring that they remain clean and in good repair.
Customer Reviews:
Rug Abuse.......2005-11-14
This book is a ruggy good read, more intoxicating than Class A rugs. I recommend reading it rugularly whilst listening to "Rugged Out on Death Row" or suitable Ruggae/Rugga classic. While I'm dishing out advice here is another tasty rugget of information that goes right for the rugular. Don't stick metal objects into rug sockets or you will experience rugor mortis. This book is finer than the collected works exhibited in the Ruggenheim Museum in it's artistic merit. Sit down with a rug of tea perhaps on a rugboat and enjoy it, or even take a bar stool in your local Rug and Lettuce with a rug of frothing ale. If you encounter a buxom young wench with a nice set of rugs, offer to walk her home so she doesn't get rugged. But all this is rendered rugatory when considering the actual subject matter of this book, namely, carpets. Read this book, you'd be a rug not to. If you don't, well, you've rug your own grave.
Rugs and Kisses!
(I do hope this review conforms to the Rules and Rugulations that Amazon sets forth!)
MORE THAN JUST ABOUT RUGS . . ........2002-12-25
What I mean is, the book is full of vignettes that illustrate basic points about shopping -- AND EVEN ABOUT NEGOTIATING !! -- things that are obvious once you think about them, but which you might never have realized. My favorite example: Suppose you see a rug with a price tag of a certain amount, and you say to the salesperson, "The most I'd pay is [such-and such]" -- well, what you've really just said, without knowing it, is that the amount you said is THE LEAST you're going to pay, not "the most," because you've shown that you're willing to pay it and that you can. It's a useful kind of thing to be aware of for any deal you might ever be involved in, whether as buyer or seller. I'm sure you could get things like this from Donald Trump's books, but it's interesting that they're here too.
The book gives an EXCELLENT overview of oriental rugs. The writing and organization are excellent. You'll learn about the main types of rugs, and how to recognize them -- and how to match and combine rugs. Even in the most elegant settings, we often see POOR combinations; this book gives good, easily-applied guidelines for doing a GOOD job of this.
Some readers criticize the book's pricing guidelines -- but actually they're quite good and very useful, as long as you realize their limitations. Yes, they're simplistic, and the projected rates of appreciation were recognizably absurd even at the time the book was written. (By those formulas, most rugs before long would have attained the value of Fort Knox.) So, the author was a bit innumerate, and anyone who purchased rugs assuming infinite price appreciation has been disappointed. Blame the author? Maybe a little.
A good guide to purchasing that first Parsian Carpet.......2000-06-01
I first encountered Rugs_to_Riches when I was researching and planning the purchase of my Persian Rug. I found five books at my local library, one of them dated 1908, that covered the topic of purchasing and keeping oriental carpets. All of them, with the exception of Rugs_to_Riches stated that "the carpets you buy today aren't as good as the old ones available 30, or 40, years ago." This is basically balderdash!
Rugs_to_Riches proved to be a refreshing exception to this nonsense. It was the best starting guide that a beginner like me could find as I searched out one of those beautiful treasures of the orient. The pricing guides are good for comparison of type & quality, but should not be relied upon for exact valuation of a carpet.
Also, the old rule of "one man's trash is another man's treasure" applies here. Never ever purchase an oriental carpet because it may be valuable. If it doesn't match your home's decor, it'll end it's life as a moth-eaten rag in your closet. Make sure that you actually like the piece before you buy it. I purchased my carpet in a bazaar, not at a dealer's shop in Houston, New York, or even, in L.A. As a consequence, my purchase was *FINAL*! If you plan on purchasing a carpet with even the slightest chance of returning it, because it doesn't match your decor, then go to a reputable dealer. If you are sure of your taste in carpets, design, and home decor, then, grab this reference, and book a flight to the Orient for a haggle-fest.
Finally, on the purchasing of "antique" carpets. Never buy one, unless you see a pattern that you definitely want & you can't get it in a "new" carpet. Most of the price of "antique" carpets is for the (mostly unprovable) antiqueness of the carpet. Only buy an "antique" from a dealer, if you are purchasing one for it's antiqueness. Never, that is, unless you are an "expert", or you can afford to be "taken". Have an "antique" appraised *first* by a reputable 3d party *before* you bid on it. Otherwise, just buy a new one, and remenber that your great grand children will have incontrovertable proof of their "antique" oriental carpet in about 100 years, or so.
All in all, a good book for the beginner. I recommend it.
The best beginners book........1998-09-14
If you are new at collecting, want to know if you want to collect, or just want to know about rugs, this is a good book. Takes you from the beginning and walks you through. Not a book a dealer would use, but one I would recommend for those curious. Beachum's review here on Amazon is a little too harsh in my opinion. While the price of rugs is too fluid and dependent on variables that cannot be captured in a book, there are some valuable points the pricing chapters make for the beginner. Not all rugs appreciate at the same rate. Condition and age are critical. Etc. I found the "value factor multiplier" interesting and roughly accurate - that is - a rank ordering of which type of rugs have appreciated faster over time than others. The focus on the economics of rug collecting was disturbing.
A decent overview for the novice, with worthless price data.......1998-02-23
This book is a decent introduction to oriental rugs for the complete beginner. Unfortunately, its credibility is seriously undermined by its just plain silly pricing information. The book purports to reduce the value of any oriental rug to a formula, and perpetuates the myth that most oriental rugs are investments. Readers are advised to rip out the pricing appendices in the back and throw them away, and simply read the front for an overview of oriental rugs.
Average customer rating:
|
Carpets and Textiles: The Thyssen Bornemisza Collection (The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection)
Friedrich Spuhler
Manufacturer: Philip Wilson Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Asian
| Regional
| History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Museums & Collections
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Permanent Collection Catalogs
| Museums
| Museums & Collections
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Exhibition Catalogs
| Museums
| Museums & Collections
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Textile & Costume
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Rugs
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Textiles & Costume
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Toys
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Textile Arts
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0856674966 |
Book Description
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection of classical carperts comprises every Near Eastern and Oriental country. In terms of Safavid carpets from Persia and Mughal carpets from India, it is unsurpassed by any other private collection.
In this catalogue, 70 carpets and 9 textiles are presented, each discussed in depth and illustrated in colour. Some 30 additional pieces are reproduced as comparative detail. Comprehensive introductions for each of the geographical groupings provide the reader with a complete overview of the classic oriental carpet
Average customer rating:
|
Oriental Rugs, Care and Repair
Majid Amini
Manufacturer: Van Nostrand Reinhold
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Rugs
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Textile Arts
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Oriental Rug Repair
ASIN: 0442208642 |
Customer Reviews:
Finally, a useable book on Orientals.......2003-02-06
Stone does not make the assumption, as so many writers about Oriental rugs do, that he knows what the reader wants. Instead, he provides an exhaustive, impartial spectrum of places, conditions, qualities, methods, and types affiliated with Oriental rugs, from earliest known times to the present. Stone manages to keep his work from being dull by interlarding it with astringent observations and keeping his entries brutally essential. Whoever did the layout of this work deserves kudos, too-- it is easy to access, each entry is set off from the others so as to be memorable to those of us who are visual, and there is generous, attractive use of clearly-labeled graphics. I genuinely appreciate this matrix-like, non-linear expert treatment of Oriental rugs, and find myself reading it up like a novel. The only thing I have found lacking so far is an entry on arbash.
BUY THIS BOOK!.......1998-06-13
In the rug world there is almost a constant competition of scholarship. Very rarely does one person so dominate his field as to be the indisputable authority. One of those rare exceptions is Peter Stone. One rug restoration expert told me that there will never be another major book on rug repair in my life time because "Oriental Carpet Repair" by Peter Stone says it all. Stone's new book the "Oriental Rug Lexicon" may well exceed "Oriental Carpet Repair" as a scholarly triumph. If you are at all serious about collecting or if your rugs are anything more than floor coverings to you, you need this book.
The Definative Guide To Rugs, Carpets, and Trappings What Stone has done is to make one large dictionary of rug terms. He has identified and defined them in an interesting and informative manner. As soon as I received the Lexicon I decided to put it to use. The first job was to decipher a page of notes I had made on dyes and dye sources used in oriental carpets that someone had given me. To have a source where I can double check the difference between a flavenol and a luteolin is invaluable. Other questions are solved just as easily such as what is a Medici Mamaluk versus a regular Mamaluk. Rug books have so many alternate spellings that it is nice to have a source that confirms that a Khorjin, Kharjin, Khordjin, and a Khurdzhin, are all the same thing. The book is designed like a dictionary and it is easy to look up individual words. It is not designed to be read cover to cover but as I spot-checked the definitions I found some thing interesting and fun on virtually every page. As long as I am mentioning spot-checking let me say that I spotted no errors. If, indeed, there are no errors, inaccuracies or mistakes, I will be astounded. There is to be found a wealth of rug terms with all the common alternative spellings including some that I have not encountered until now. All in all, it is an amazing resource.
The layout of the book is superb. It is packed with informati! on without being crowded. There are many more color pictures than I would have expected with a book of this type and there is an abundance of helpful sketches and line art to illustrate and illuminate Stone's points. Just this week a good friend who has a world class rug collection told me I "have" to buy three books if I want to keep up with things. The total for all three is over $1000 US. I mention this only to make the point that at a list price of $29.95 (US currency for softcover edition, $60 for hardcover edition) Stone's book is about as close to free we are likely to see for a serious rug book. Let me sum up my opinion in just three words: BUY THIS BOOK!
Book Description
Comprehensive book on tribal and rustic floor covers in Iran. Exceptional illustrations numerous background images and maps showing the location of each group of floor covers. It explores the creativity and skill that these flatweaves embody, making them works of art.
Book Description
A beautiful, practical introduction to Oriental carpets for laymen, designers, and collectors, presented from the perspective of a successful, third-generation wholesaler. Using concise text, over 370 vivid color photographs, and more than 45 detailed line drawings, J.R. Azizollahoff explains the complexities, intricacies and irregularities in old handmade carpets and identifies the more important rug types. The combined text, photographs and drawings also bring to light what dealers look for and examine when evaluating an antique carpet. Also provided is a look at new carpets, which gives the reader a glimpse of the wonderful energy and creativity to be found in modern rugs. Approximate values are included with the photographs as a helpful guide for consumers and collectors. The book's bibliography provides useful listings for further research., 418 photos/drawings, 11" x 8 1/2", Price Guide
Customer Reviews:
Great picture quality and pricing info.......2007-06-13
This is one of the few carpet books available that isn't a decade old. The picture quality and pricing information is great. Indian carpets make up 50% of the new carpet section with the rest being from Turkey, Pakistan, China, and other regions. What is missing in this section is any mention or pictures of contemporary carpets from Iran. The antique carpet section has a broad selection of carpets from all appropriate regions--including Iran. There is also around 10 pages of information on rug care and cleaning, knot count, new maching made carpets, buying carpets overseas, and judging antique carpet condition. Overall, great book!
oriental rugs.......2006-11-10
the information is broad, and the information excellent in terms of what to look for in rugs,hand made vs machine and the consumer base was detailed.
VERY weak for the price.......2006-03-20
little or no technical explanation of each carpet, just page after page of blurry, low-color pictures, and no grouping of any kind. junk.
Best of the Best.......2006-03-11
Of the half dozen books on oriental carpets I have, this is far and away the best. While most books on the subject are often somewhat snobbish in their approach, this book is refreshingly realistic and inclusive. And this is comment is from someone who enjoys buying and selling oriental carpets and rugs.
Jim B., Florida
Outstanding.......2004-07-26
It really is outstanding. A great resource for anyone who is looking to buy an Oriental Rug. Very Instructive
Customer Reviews:
Tribal Rugs.......2005-05-27
4 and a half stars
A very informative book liberally illustrated with color plates of some of the most exceptional types of oriental rugs. An excellent commentary written by one of the real gentlemen of the rug business. The author offers some of his own unique theories and insights. Jim does tend to put emphasis on his own particular favorite types of rugs such as Persian tribal rug weaving so know that it is not a comprehensive guide. This in no way lessens the importance of this book. Good as a coffee table book for anyone who appreciates beauty as well as must have for the rug aficionado.
Customer Reviews:
Mostly Pictures.......2007-05-30
Illustrations and photographs were breathtaking. Price comparisons were helpful, but very little content on rug parameters and significance with regard to final results and quality.
Well Done.......2004-07-26
Beautiful. A clear and concise readable guidline. There were a lot of wonderful pictures and all the information was very clear and understandable. A very valuable source for anyone who is thinking of buying an Oriental Rug.
Books:
- Oriental Carpets: A Complete Guide - The Classic Reference (Oriental Carpets)
- Petretti's Coca-Cola Collectibles Price Guide
- Pure Sea Glass: Discovering Nature's Vanishing Gems
- Route 66 Lost & Found: Ruins and Relics Revisited, Volume 2
- Secrets of the Alchemist Dar: Collector's Hardcover Edition (A Treasure's Trove)
- Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Patterns for 35 Clothing and Accessory Items
- Shaker Design
- Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1 (Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born)
- The Art Crowd
- The Book of Wagner & Griswold: Martin, Lodge, Vollrath, Excelsior
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Biostatistics: A Foundation for Analysis in the Health Sciences
- Taunton's Front Yard Idea Book: How to Create a Welcoming Entry and Expand Your Outdoor Living Space
- Line of Beauty
- Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
- ONLINE ACE: A WORLD SERIES OF POKER CHAMPION'S GUIDE TO MASTERING INTERNET POKER
- The Draconomicon
- Orangutans: And Their Battle for Survival
- Inside OrCAD Capture for Windows
- Financial Accounting: A Decision Making Approach, Preliminary Edition
- A Very Private Gentleman: A Novel
Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols
Oriental Rugs: A Buyer's Guide
The Illustrated Buyer's Guide to Oriental Carpets (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Tribal and Village Rugs: The Definitive Guide to Traditional Patterns and Motifs
Starting To Collect Oriental Rugs (Starting to Collect Series)
