Continuing the readable, informative and helpful series 'Starting to Collect', this volume investigates one of the most thorny of collecting fields - antique oriental rugs. Novice collectors are in good hands here, for the author takes them through the initial problembatical areas - where to buy, what to look for, care and restoration, before turning his attention to the materials and techniques, dyes and designs, involved in the manufacture of rugs. In subsequent chapters on the output of different rug-producing locations, Dr. Eiland considers these area by area, so that, for instance, Persian rugs are discussed under eighteen area subheadings, including the Aegean region, Gordes, and the Anatolian coast. Within each chapter he considers the typical structure, size, designs and colours found in the area, together with any other significant features which will aid the new collector in identification. The body of the book presents and illustrates rugs from Persia, Turkey, the Caucasus, Afghanistan, China, and India, the areas conventionally associated with 'oriental' rug production, but Dr. Eiland, aware that comparisons with other rug-producing areas can be useful, complements his text with examples from Europe and Africa. He also includes chapters on flatwoven and modern rugs. In a work of this nature, where important points must be brought out succinctly and clearly, images are of primary interest, and some 170 carefully selected full colour illustrations show not only the richness and variety of these beautiful objects, but also the salient features from which collectors can learn to know their subject.
