This individuality of pattern is accompanied by a less marked yet noticeable individuality of colour scheme. As is the case with many Bergamos, the principal tone is a dark red, which generally appears in the central field, and is also used almost without exception in the broad end webs, the side selvages, and the threads of weft. Ivory white for the spandrel, some yellow and green for the borders, are common colours; but the one that rarely appears in any appreciable quantity in other rugs is a characteristic tone of lavender or mauve, which is present in almost every old Melez. Not always are these tones pleasing, as many of the rugs have been poorly dyed; but there are other pieces, now rapidly growing scarce, of which the colours are exceedingly rich and harmonious.
_Type Characteristics._ _Colours_, principally red, with minor quantities of blue, yellow, white, and some mauve. _Knot_, Ghiordes. Knots to inch horizontally five to eight; perpendicularly, six to eleven. A half knot, as it appears at back, is as long as wide or slightly longer. The rows of knots are not closely pressed down, yet the warp does not show at back. _Warp_, wool; each of the two threads encircled by a knot is equally prominent at back. _Weft_, wool of small diameter, dyed blue or red. A thread of weft generally crosses four times between every two rows of knots. _Pile_, wool, of medium length and sometimes short. _Border_, wide, from three to seven stripes. _Sides_, a selvage of two to four cords, usually coloured red. _Lower end_, a red web and loose warp fringe. _Upper end_, a red web, a braided selvage, and loose warp fringe. _Texture_, moderately loose. _Weave_ at back is of slightly coarse grain. _Usual length_, four and one half to six feet. _Usual width_, three fifths to three quarters length.
ISBARTA.âIn the town of Isbarta in the southern part of the province of Konieh are woven rugs which are sometimes known to the trade as "Spartas." Like many other pieces made to meet the Western demand, they lack spontaneous individuality, but are often of excellent quality and coloured in delicate tones, arranged harmoniously.
RHODIAN.âEven at a very early period the people of the islands bordering the southwestern coast of Asia Minor produced textile fabrics that rivalled many of the best products of the mainland. None of them were more beautiful or more interesting than those which came from the Island of Rhodes, where were blended the vigorous Grecian and the more subtle Oriental arts. Here was the inspiration of the sea, cloudless skies, luxuriant vegetation. Here was felt the deep influence of the Mohammedan and Christian religions, as well as an early pagan mythology; and there is little doubt that the cathedral walls and picturesque church of the valiant knights of St. John made an impression on the weavers. It is not surprising, therefore, that the fabrics should be of deep, rich colour full of suggestion, and that the drawing of the long central panels should remind one of cathedral windows.