4The Daily Tar Heel Thursday, February 25, 1988
At
Societies display woven designs
of Oriental history, culture
By LAUREN SIEG
Staff Writer
The Triangle Rug Society and the
Chapel Hill Preservation Society are
offering the fastest and safest route
to the Orient. Enter the Horace
Williams House, and you enter a
different dimension, window-side and
first-class, via an elaborate camel
headdress. "It's not an opportunity
you get very often." says Nelda Lay.
a member of the rug society.
The Triangle Rug Society will be
offering this opportunity to visit the
Middle East through Feb. 29. in hopes
of fostering an understanding of
oriental rugs and textiles beyond
their popular conception as elegant
living room carpeting. The current
display is titled. "Carolina Caravan:
Oriental Rugs and Textiles from
North Carolina Collectors." and it,
focuses on Middle Eastern rugs as a
new artistic form and cultural
expression.
"It's a chance to see collections and
antiques from the Middle East." Lay
says.
The collection includes rugs from
such modern-day areas as Iran.
Afghanistan and the Soviet Union,
and dates from the mid-1 9th to early
20th centuries. The display depicts
various designs, cultural relevancies
and artistic qualities.
The rugs and textiles handmade
woven articles such as bags
represent the Caucasian. Persian.
Turkish and Turkoman areas. Each
has a distinguishing style that is
highlighted in the display pieces. For
instance,. Caucasian rugs, from the
area of the modern-day Soviet Union,
are characterized by bright colors and
geometric patterns.
Included in the display are various
rugs, animal trappings and bags.
According to Lay. each work is a one-of-a-kind
item. These items served
functional as well as ceremonial
purposes, which were expressed in
their design, color and quality.
The rugs shown were commonly
used for everyday purposes. Of the
two unusual prayer rugs, one was
most likely decorative its origin
lies in an Armenian Christian area.
Dowry gifts were distinguished by
their high quality and tight weave.
Many rugs for local use and not export
were flat-woven, while the pile rugs
were more exotic. "One piece
belonged to John Kennedy." Lay says.
The animal trappings served a
primarily ceremonial purpose. Also on
display are two animal coverings, one
for a horse and one most likely for
a donkey. Lay says the most unique
piece is the camel headdress. The
camel head trapping, an ornate
headdress of shells and weave, greets
the visitor as he arrives.
Bags in the display differ in function
and design. Animal bags, one possible
pillow bag. wall bags (to be attached
to the tent) and saddle bags were
commonly used objects. Lay says the
personal bags are outstanding pieces.
They were called the chanteh and
were highly ornamented and utilized
long straps for carrying on the body.
The Rug Society and Chapel Hill
Preservation Society do not limit the
display's value to cultural bearings.
They also emphasize the artistic
merit. Preservation society member
Ann Womack says. "The design and
color are part of the artistic value.
I appreciated their beauty and how
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Various patterns in design are
exhibited in the collection. Floral
patterns such as boteh and Mina
Khani are common. Floral and geo
metric patterns are expressed in the
Suzani style, which was often a part
of the dowry and resembles patch
work quilts in its paneled composi
tion. Anchors, arrows and stars are
common. As is characteristic of many
orientals, abstract animal designs
such as crabs and dragons are woven
into the patterns.
Color variations and analyses are
also represented. Cochinal is a scarlet
red derived from a Mexican bug. lac
is a deep purple obtained from an
Indian insect and madder is a rust
acquired from a root. They are all
color examples that reflect the recent
detailed study of rugs that the
Triangle Rug Society seeks to foster.
Other colors include shades of blue,
green, yellow, neutrals and white, and
were often vegetable dyes. Lay says.
These colors enrich the artistic appeal
of the works and indicate function
and origin.
The consideration of artistic merit
and history, as expressed in design
and color of the rugs and textiles,
typify areas of increased study in
which the Triangle Rug Society is
active. Lay said. "The society is
interested in orientals for enjoyment,
general education and fun." In addi
tion to concern for art quality, the
society views textiles as a viable
source of anthropological and archeo
logical knowledge.
"The display is a chance to see a
true picture of culture." Lay says.
"Every piece had a function." Not only
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Ann Womack examines a South Persian camel head trapping
do the rugs have historical value in
their age. they also indicate certain
values in a culture through their
design and function.
Part of their value arises from their
human worth. "Each piece was hand
made and hand-tied." Womack says.
Because there has not been a rug
show in Chapel Hill in 12 years, the.
collection is an unique opportunity for
Lay and the rest of the rug society
members. They say it is a chance to
see a true picture of culture. Textiles
are a "true art form." and each piece
is handmade and original.
Appreciation of oriental rugs and
textiles now extends beyond enjoy
ment of the simple aesthetic qual
ities. Shows are no longer uncom
mon, and, in fact, recent shows in
the area include a 1985 showing at
Duke University, a 1987 showing at
Meredith College and the current
showing at the Horace Williams
House. In conjunction with the
display the society sponsored three
lectures and a rug identification and
appreciation evening. Various infor
mation on oriental rugs and textiles
and the Triangle Rug Society may be
obtained from the House, located at
610 E. Rosemary St.
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