Tribal Rugs: A Complete Guide to Nomadic and Village Carpets [Hardcover]

James Opie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998 | Series: Tribal Rugs (Book 1)

Providing a survey of the rug weavings of the nomadic peoples of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, the Caucasus and Central Asia, this volume follows the history of their design evolution from the 2500-year-old Pazyryk rug (the oldest complete rug of complex design) to antique and traditional designs, and up to the present day. As tribal life gives way to relentless modernization and it becomes too late to simulate artificially the broad cultural support on which a living craft depends, the art of tribal rugs becomes increasingly the domain of the collector and the scholar. The book's discussion of the origins of tribal weaving patterns is accompanied by illustrations and diagrams which enable readers to identify the relationship between the different patterns.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821225472
• ISBN-13: 978-0821225479
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,991,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tribal Rugs, May 26, 2005

By 

Hallstatt Prince (MA. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribal Rugs: A Complete Guide to Nomadic and Village Carpets (Hardcover)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make it this one., November 30, 2011

By 

Overlander - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tribal Rugs: A Complete Guide to Nomadic and Village Carpets (Hardcover)

Alright, so you've just gone back from Turkey or Iran where you marvelled at all those rugs in the bazaars. Your interest was picked but you feel utterly lost not knowing your kilim from your sumakh. You want to buy a book informative enough to teach you a thing or two and keep your heart beating but you end up lost in a maze of titles. Well, look no further, TRIBAL RUGS by J. Opie is right here to show you the way and take you to ruggies' heaven.

I own a bunch of books on rugs (too many), being addicted myself, but this is the one I keep going back to. The book is very well laid out, the text is clear and unpretentious, the plates well-chosen and well photographed. It is much more than a coffee-table book. It is getting quite scarce so do yourself a favor and get a copy before you embark on a new Anatolian hunting trip.