Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols [Paperback]

P. R. J. Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 28, 2008

"One of the most useful books to cover the whole of the field...Mr. Ford is to be congratulated on having produced a work that should stand the test of time."—Carpet Review Weekly

In this comprehensive survey, P. R. J. Ford shows readers how to recognize the different structural and design features of oriental rugs and carpets. The designs are grouped according to their essential characteristics. This approach illuminates the cultural background of each, revealing at once the similarities and the differences between the various carpet-weaving areas

Illustrations of modern types, with descriptions of their key characteristics—construction, materials, sizes, colors—and of the clues that establish a rug's precise origins, appear together with a balanced appraisal of the qualities of modern production from towns, villages, and tribal areas. Extensive cross-referencing and detailed indexes make this an invaluable reference guide for dealers and collectors, and for anyone who has an appreciation of and interest in rugs. 800+ illustrations and photographs, 400 in color

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (January 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500276641
• ISBN-13: 978-0500276648
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 9.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent , well researched and illustrated guide., October 18, 1998

By 

Russ M ([e-mail]) (Adelaide, AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

This book has been my "bible" on the subject of oriental rugs for about 5 years. It has been a source of knowledge and great pleasure as I have learnt more and more on this fascinating subject and purchased many rugs in the meantime. It never stays in the bookshelf very long, as I am frequently referring to it as the rug buying "bug" hits me. The book is comprehensively illustrated and has detailed information on subtleties of pattern design, which help in the identification of different rugs, even within a single district. I cannot recommend this book too highly as an attractive and informative book for novice or experienced rug lovers alike. In comparison, I have been a little disappointed with "Oriental Rugs, Vol 2,PERSIA", which I purchased recently (see separate review).

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, November 23, 2003

By 

merrymousies (Waterford, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

I bought this book after going to the library and checking out a number of carpet books - I was looking for a reference that would teach me some of the history of rug making and the people who make these incredible pieces of art as well as the practical side such as what to look for in a rug. This book is great at teaching about the different types of rugs. There are color pictures on every page, there are drawings of specific patterns so you can see specifically what make a rug one type rather than another, there are uncommon examples of types of rugs shown, etc. Its quite a good book (which is why I bought it after returning the library copy). This book is ok at teaching about the history/people or about how to tell a good quality rug - the intro goes into some good detail about things like knot types, weaves, use of synthetic dyes, chinese rugs etc but it's a fanatsic guide to decoding the different traditional motifs and patterns. I'm giving it 4 stars rather than 5 only because the text is so dry and they don't really give the stories - they give more dry facts such as this type of rug was woven in this manufacturing/village setting in x,y,z town. It would have been niceto have more details about the people and about the symbolism of the motifs. But, like I said, I knew all that before I bought the book since I had checked t out at the library. I use this book to augment others that I ended up buying that do tell more of the stories.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible of Oriental Carpets, September 20, 2002

By 

C. Quinn (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)

I live in the Middle East and my Afghani carpet dealer recommended this book calling it "the Bible" for any collector. The color pictures and pattern by pattern breakdown help you get a feel for the beauty of this unique art form. My only complaint is that the carpets pictured are all museum quality and not on offer to your average collector! If you are just getting started or if you've been collecting rugs for a while, this book is an essential addition to your reference library.