Christopher Alexander owns what many now believe to be the finest collection of early Turkish carpets in the western world, with perhaps half being the only specimens of their kind anywhere. In this richly illustrated, oversized volume--featuring four hundred illustrations, eighty in full color--Alexander takes readers on an engaging tour of his fabulous collection. Readers will see a 13th-century Seljuk Carpet with Dragons, a 15th-century Animal Carpet, a scarlet-niched Transylvanian Prayer Rug, a turquoise Lattice Carpet from Alcaraz, a 16th-century blue Medallion Keyhole Design from Bergama, a rare 16th-century White Field Bird Carpet, the dazzling color and brilliant geometry of a 15th-century Karapinar with Three Gulls, and perhaps Alexander's favorite, a 15th-century Star Karapinar with Flowers (whose designs he describes as "the high point of all Sufi art, the state of liberation, in which the artist is so free, that he is able to be completely natural"). In addition, Alexander elaborates on his theory that these carpets teach structure to artists and architects through the beauty of their form. This lavishly produced volume makes an important contribution to the world of rug scholarship. Equally important, Alexander's thoughtful meditations on these pieces will fascinate the many architects, artists, and planners who follow his work.

Concerns woolen pile carpets handknotted by village women in the Aegean region of western Turkey and a carpet-weaving project called DOBAG the natural dye research and development project supervised by Marmara University in Istanbul. Discusses the process of making a village carpet, carpet designs,

The intricate patterning and rich hues of tribal rugs from Turkey, the Caucasus, and Iran have attracted collectors for decades. Twenty-four different designs from these rich traditions, carefully reduced in scale and accurately charted, make handsome small take-along projects. Designs can be worked on fine, medium or heavy canvas. The patterns have been gleaned from museum collections, and their origins have been carefully researched and documented.

"One of the most useful books to cover the whole of the field...Mr. Ford is to be congratulated on having produced a work that should stand the test of time." Carpet Review Weekly

The Practical Book of Oriental Rugs by George Griffin Lewis, first published in 1913, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.

Oriental rugs have always been an essential artistic decoration in many people's homes. With a rapid increase in their admirers, there was naturally an increased need for more reliable information about them. This work delivers prominent characteristics and detail of weaving Oriental rugs. It includes a detailed chapter on design, illustrated with text cuts that enable the reader to identify the different varieties by their patterns. It provides additional information on the price per square foot at which retail dealers own each variety. The author includes helpful instructions for selecting, purchasing, maintaining, and cleaning rugs, as well as differentiating between fake antiques, aniline dyes, etc. The book will help purchasers of Oriental rugs to learn in a short time all that is necessary for their guidance.

The Rough Guide to Turkey is the most comprehensive travel guide to this unique country straddling both Europe and Asia - and bordering countries as diverse as Greece in the west and Iran in the east. Alongside an array of stunning images, you'll find insightful coverage of everything this country offers: from the Mediterranean beaches that play host to nesting turtles, to the soaring mountain ranges spangled with Alpine flowers, from legendary ancient sites, such as Troy, to the exotic, domed skyline of Byzantine and Ottoman-era Istanbul. Practical advice details how to travel through this vast and varied country. Up-to-date descriptions of the best restaurants, hotels, and shops suit all budgets. And city maps help you navigate the fifteen-million-plus metropolis of Istanbul and other smaller destinations, such as the frontier settlement of Dogubeyazit, in the shadow of biblical Mt. Ararat. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Turkey.