Excellent compilation. I don't know how to add to this. Maybe each should have it's own thread? There are many I have to add, but they may have to wait for another day. I love all rug books.
The Illustrated Buyer’s Guide to:
Oriental Carpets
By J.R. Azizollanhoff
Revised 2nd Edition, 2002My feeling on this one is mixed. I can see how some may find the price guide to be somewhat of a disappointment to first time rug people who may have high expectations for straight forward current values. Some of the best price guides are current Sotheby's and Christies catalogs with actual sold prices. Generally, photographs are excellent, detailed descriptions are lacking, but basic fundamental information is present. That's important.
It was VERY interesting to see
an image of this rug show up in the book, valued at 20,000 in the 1984 condition.
I would buy this book again for:
A friend who wants to find their rug taste
Brief synopsis of rug and carpet design/origin and loose retail prices
Great easy to read information on evaluation of a rug and understanding basic condition information: white knots, repairing, etc.
Excellent for new hot rugs in today's market: antique serapi (spelled serape in the book), mahal, gabbeh, needlepoints, Indian, etc.
An excellent introductory tool for someone ready to buy
I would not buy this book for:
Silk rugs both new/old
Highly commercialized rugs/inferior quality goods.
A detailed account of "Kelly Blue Book" type values for almost every rug imaginable
Oriental Rugs of the Silk Route: Culture Process & Selection
(Hardcover)
by John B. GregorianI liked this book, but not for much more than as a coffee table resource. I found it to be a slightly self-promoting, and I hated the double spacing. Some plates did not have descriptions.
Not sure I would buy this book again if I had to, but don't regret the original purchase. Actual information about specific rugs/carpets was not elaborated to the extent expected. I like technical info. It was a surface read about rugs and history, mainly to reinforce the appreciation for rugs, and some info on purchasing overseas. I would say this book is a starting point for those who may or may not be convinced whether they like rugs.
Oriental Carpet Design: A Guide to Traditional Motifs, Patterns and Symbols (Paperback)by P. R. J. Ford (Author)
As of this morning there were 11 customer reviews at Amazon, starting with referring to this book as the bible of rug design. There are 800 illustrations with 400 being in color.Very pleased. I don't like the knots per square cm deal, but if I lost this book, I would like to purchase it again without question. Very good information in here, always stumble on something worthwhile every time I open it. There were a few things my experience did not align with with, but all in all, there's not much out there to top this when it comes to massive information on rugs that fits in two hands. Great reference, some scattered info, but I don't think this is avoidable.
