_Type Characteristics._ _Colours_, principally dark blue or plum and red, with minor quantities of yellow, brown, and white. _Knot_, Ghiordes. Knots to inch horizontally six to twelve; perpendicularly, seven to twelve. A half knot, as it appears at back, is as long as wide, and occasionally is longer. The rows of knots, which have even alignment at back, are not firmly pressed down. _Warp_, wool, rarely cotton; each of the two threads encircled by a knot is equally prominent at back. _Weft_, wool, rarely cotton; a single thread of medium diameter crosses once between every two rows of knots; but in parts of the same rug two, three, or even four threads of small diameter will cross side by side as a single coarse thread. Occasionally a thread of weft crosses three or four times. The filling of weft stands up as high as the knots at the back, giving an even surface. _Pile_, wool, of medium length or moderately long. _Border_, of three stripes. _Sides_, a heavy double overcasting. _Lower end_, web and warp loops. _Upper end_, web and short fringe. _Texture_, moderately loose. _Weave_ at back is of coarse grain. _Usual length_, eight to fourteen feet. _Usual width_, three eighths to one half length.
TABRIZ.âAlthough Tabriz, capital of the province of Azerbijan, is situated in a remote corner of Persia, from the earliest times it has been one of the most important centres in the Orient for the production of carpets. They were well known in the days of the Caliphs; and some of the earliest masterpieces that now remain were woven there during the reign of Shah Tamasp, who extended to this industry his royal patronage. This city has been for a long period on the great routes of caravans passing to Trebizond and Tiflis from the country to the south and east, so that it has become the principal mart of Persia for the export of rugs gathered from surrounding regions. Nevertheless, it still continues to produce its own pieces; but the weavers are in the employ of foreign companies who prescribe the character of workmanship. As a consequence, the rugs are of good material, excellently woven; and though many of the old dyes are no longer used, the colours as a rule are fair; yet on account of the mathematical exactness of their formal patterns the truly Oriental spirit is largely lacking.