Product Description

"No other book packs all the need-to-know basics of oriental rugs into such an economical package. Its an indispensable resource and the best buy of all rug books."

--Mark Hopkins, President

New Boston Rug Society

For the connoisseur or the once-in-a-lifetime buyer, this unique sourcebook is your personal adviser to the lush world of oriental rugs. From the 1500s to the present day, in countries from North Africa to China, Turkey to the former Soviet Union, The Official Price Guide to Oriental Rugs covers it all--including a fascinating historical overview to this exciting area of collecting.

* COMPREHENSIVE. This invaluable guide covers every class of the most collectible oriental rugs of the world, from classical carpets and tribal weavings to rustic rugs and flat weaves.

* PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Vital information on how to clean and care for your oriental rug (including spot and stain removal) is included, as well as helpful hints on safe storage and various ways to display your collection.

* WRITTEN BY AN EXPERT. Joyce Ware is a distinguished member of the New York and Connecticut rug societies. She has written for Rug News, Oriental Rug Review, and Fiberarts magazine.

* SPECIAL SECTION. An essential resource featuring names of major auction houses and membership societies, including dealer recommendations and carpet restorers and conservators.

* GLOSSARY. An important dictionary to all the key terms and phrases for the rug collector, from Beating Up to Yarn Ply and Twist.

* FULLY ILLUSTRATED. Packed throughout with photographs for easy identification, including a lavish eight-page color insert.

"The beginning rug collector could not do better than to get and read this book. It contains much good information, some timeless, some of current immediacy, all of it valuable. I believe everyone, newcomer and connoisseur alike, will learn from it."

--Dr. John Sommer, President

San Francisco Bay Area Rug Society

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1500414 in Books
• Published on: 1996-10-22
• Released on: 1996-10-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 319 pages

From the Inside Flap
"No other book packs all the need-to-know basics of oriental rugs into such an economical package. Its an indispensable resource and the best buy of all rug books."
--Mark Hopkins, President
New Boston Rug Society
For the connoisseur or the once-in-a-lifetime buyer, this unique sourcebook is your personal adviser to the lush world of oriental rugs. From the 1500s to the present day, in countries from North Africa to China, Turkey to the former Soviet Union, The Official Price Guide to Oriental Rugs covers it all--including a fascinating historical overview to this exciting area of collecting.
* COMPREHENSIVE. This invaluable guide covers every class of the most collectible oriental rugs of the world, from classical carpets and tribal weavings to rustic rugs and flat weaves.
* PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. Vital information on how to clean and care for your oriental rug (including spot and stain removal) is included, as well as helpful hints on safe storage and various ways to display your collection.
* WRITTEN BY AN EXPERT. Joyce Ware is a distinguished member of the New York and Connecticut rug societies. She has written for Rug News, Oriental Rug Review, and Fiberarts magazine.
* SPECIAL SECTION. An essential resource featuring names of major auction houses and membership societies, including dealer recommendations and carpet restorers and conservators.
* GLOSSARY. An important dictionary to all the key terms and phrases for the rug collector, from Beating Up to Yarn Ply and Twist.
* FULLY ILLUSTRATED. Packed throughout with photographs for easy identification, including a lavish eight-page color insert.
"The beginning rug collector could not do better than to get and read this book. It contains much good information, some timeless, some of current immediacy, all of it valuable. I believe everyone, newcomer and connoisseur alike, will learn from it."
--Dr. John Sommer, President
San Francisco Bay Area Rug Society

Customer Reviews

A reliable consumer's guide
Ms. Ware is a highly knowledgeable, respected expert in the field. This is a solid reference that does not, as some reviewers suggest, encourage buyers to rely entirely on dealers' self-interested recommendations, nor does it purport to eliminate the need to check on market conditions before buying.

Not recommended for the beginner.
First let me say that as a rug dealer of many years and founder of the Boston Rug Society and having written numerous articles in such journals Hali and Antiquitaten Zeitung there is no way of easily pricing antique oriental rugs and in this way is quite misleading. If one wants to gain insight into the pricing of oriental rugs I recommend a subscription to Hali and Sotheby's catalogues. By all means do not use this book to price oriental rugs. The best way to begin this process if you do have an heirloom you are wondering about is to have a professional appraisal done (auction houses such as Sotheby's and Skinner's will do this free of charge). This book is skimpy in its information and the dealer recommendations at the end of the book reads more like a list of friends of the author than a list of reputable dealers. Some of these people I know and are reputable while other on the list I have found less so in my experience. More so than any other field I have encountered the field of oriental rugs and its dealers is full of alliances and petty feuds. Do not use this book to price oriental rugs or to pick a dealer. There is no one simple "open sesame" to the world of oriental rugs.

A Nice Little Reference Guide
Wow. The rug world is unreal, full of spite and petty jealousy.
Is this book the bible on rugs? No. Is it a concise, handy little guide for the novice? Yes. My biggest issue with the book is that over time (and fluctuating market conditions), it's pricing will eventually become outdated, but as long as Ms. Ware revises it every decade or so, who cares?
For the record, my copy of this book shows rug prices that are *gasp* nothing more than actual auction results from Sotheby's, Skinners, etc., so I don't understand the jab by one of the reviewers below? Perhaps this review was done without actually READING the book? Hmmm...
Ms. Ware has written a very enjoyable little book that my rug washing customers like to borrow. All who have done so have enjoyed it very much, most have gone out & purchased their own copy. Compared to some of the rug "encyclopedias", the cost is very low. I'm happy I bought this book, and I think you will like it as well.