Art and Architecture Collection > Decorative Arts: A Research Guide

Rugs and Carpets

Allane, Lee. Oriental Rugs: A Buyer’s Guide. London: Thames and Hudson, 1988.
General introduction for the beginning or amateur enthusiast. Explains rug names and terms; how Oriental rugs are made; issues to consider when buying a rug. A section of color plates follows, with information on designs and "Rugs of the major Producing Countries", e.g. Persia, Anatolia, Afghan and others.

Curatola, Giovanni. Oriental Carpets. London: Souvenir Press, 1981.Heavily illustrated survey useful for identifying makes and types of carpets, their colors, patterns and symbology.

Gans-Ruedin, E. The Connoisseur’s Guide to Oriental Carpets. Rutland; Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle. 1971.
Thorough historical survey with sections on the characteristics of carpets, buying and care. Remainder of volume covers classification of carpets by country or region, with sections on various types, illustrations and specific examples.

Murphy, Brian. The Root of Wild Madder: Chasing the History, Mystery, and the Lore of the Persian Carpet. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005. A colorful account of the Persian carpet’s history and its weavers and sellers.

Neff, Ivan C. and Carol Maggs. Dictionary of Oriental Rugs: With a Monograph on Identification by Weave. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1977.
Technical guide concerned with explaining origins of types of Oriental rugs by their weave patterns.

Rosenstiel, Helene Von. American Rugs and Carpets: From the Seventeenth Century to Modern Times. New York: William Morrow, 1978.
Strong survey history of various types of American floor covering from painted floor, matting, linoleum and oilcloth, to loomed carpets. Pattern chronology, bibliography, pp. 184-187.