WOOF.--Nearly always wool, usually dyed. A characteristic feature is the number of woof threads between each row of knots, usually four or more.
NAP.--Fine lustrous wool, which is usually cut long. The great number of woof threads causes the nap to lie so that the side of the yarn is exposed more than the ends.
SIDES.--Usually a wide selvage in colored wool. Occasionally overcast.
[Illustration: KAZAK RUG (PALACE DESIGN) PROPERTY OF MR. FREDERIC P. WARFIELD, NEW YORK CITY]
ENDS.--Usually a short colored selvage at each end, one of which is sometimes turned back and hemmed. A fringe of knotted or braided warp ends. When braided the ends of the rug are apt to be drawn and twisted so that it does not lie well.
BORDER.--From three to four border stripes, usually three. The crab, wine glass, reciprocal saw-teeth, reciprocal trefoil, tarantula, and latch hook variations are common.
PREVAILING COLORS.--Rather bright shades of red, green, yellow, brown, and rose, with more or less ivory or white. These colors are more subdued in the antiques.
DYES.--Poor in some of the modern pieces.
DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Shirvan and Genghis. Bold geometrical figures which are characteristic of the people who weave them. The tarantula, diamond, palm, animals, and human beings are profusely portrayed. The Greek cross is almost always present and the Russian coat of arms common.
SIZES.--Small and medium, three to six by five to eight feet. Usually square or nearly so.
PRICES.--Antiques few and valuable. The moderns are among the cheapest of the Oriental products. From $0.75 to $2.00 per square foot.
REMARKS.--As a rule thick and heavy though soft and durable.
with accompanying descriptions at pages 94 and 144.
The field design is known as the Palace or Sunburst. It is common in the Kazaks and Shirvans, but never used in any other rugs. This piece shows the most common form of Kazak with the Palace design in the centre and the Crab border, on each side of which is the reciprocal saw-teeth.
[Illustration: BESHIR BOKHARA PRAYER RUG PROPERTY OF LIBERTY & CO., LONDON, ENGLAND
Quite dissimilar to any other form of prayer rug although the niche resembles very closely that of the Meles. The designs are unlike those used in the other Turkoman products and the color combination is quite pleasing. This piece is evidently of some age as the woof threads in the lower end are gone, leaving a fringe of loose warp threads instead of a variegated webbing as on the other end.