ENDS.--Short web with loose warp threads at each end.
BORDER.--From three to seven border stripes. The Herati design very common.
PREVAILING COLORS.--The antiques have soft, subdued shades of blue, green, and pink, also ivory, while the modern ones have rather bright shades of the same colors.
DYES.--In the antiques good. In the moderns poor.
DESIGNS.--Similar to those of the Khorasan proper. The pear design predominates. The Herati is common. Animals and birds are frequently represented. Medallion centre common.
SIZES.--All sizes from three to ten by four to twenty feet or even larger.
REMARKS.--Similar in design to the Khorasan proper, but usually of a finer grade. Also heavier and more durable.
A color plate of this beautiful rug may be seen on page 22. Its description is given on the accompanying tissue.
[Illustration: KIRMAN PRAYER RUG Size 6' × 4' PROPERTY OF MRS. E. N. TRUMP, SYRACUSE, N. Y.]
WHY SO NAMED.--After the province and city of Kirman from which they come.
BY WHOM MADE.--By the wandering tribes of Afghars.
KNOT.--Always Senna. Number vertically ten to twenty-four; number horizontally eight to twenty; number to square inch eighty to four hundred eighty.
ENDS.--Narrow web with fringe at each end.
BORDER.--Three to eight border stripes, usually three, one wide one with a narrow one on either side. Frequently there is a narrow strip of plain rose color all around the outer edge.
PREVAILING COLORS.--Light, soft, delicate blue, green, rose, old gold, and fawn.
DESIGNS.--Tree of life, birds, fruit, bouquets, vases; more naturalistic and less geometrical than any other Oriental rugs. Frequently a medallion centre.
PRICES.--From $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot.
REMARKS.--Genuine Kirmans are rather scarce because of the remoteness of the district from the centres of trade. They are not to be compared with the Kermanshahs or the Turkish Kirmans. The latter are coarse, modern, commercial products. Kirman rugs are soft and durable.
HOLMES RUG (page 212).--The field design, consisting of rows of vases filled with red roses, is quite common to this class of rugs, but the border is rather unusual, being a mixture of Persian and Chinese motifs.
TRUMP RUG (page 210).--A masterpiece both in workmanship and design. In the prayer field is the Tree of Life resting in a large urn. Note the medallion with Arabic inscriptions.