Posted by Nikos Salingaros on January 27, 1999 at 15:24:01:
I have rapidly given the following results for the
examples posted:
Ensi1 19, Ensi2 19, Ensi3 15, Bijar 14, Caucasian 17,
East Turkestan 16.
The variance in numbers is not significant, in my
opinion, to distinguisg between which is "better"
or more beautiful. As mentioned already by several
commentators, we need several rugs of varying
artistic quality in order to see how well the
checklist works. And yet, I can see the reasons
why Ensi3 scored low, even though it is a great
rug, and that was instructive to me.
As a loyal reader of HALI, I am forced to see every
month pages of new rugs that are dreadful, and
violate most of the checklist. I don't believe that
customers desire this; the manufacturers provide
a product, and see if it sells to the public.
Among the better manufacturers, Mr. Jevremovic
produces loose, folk patterns in good wool and
colors, whereas Chinese copies of Persian rugs
are available in perfect symmetry and detail, but
no life. Modern Turkish production is mixed.
I think that a serious application of these
rules, and further rules evolved from the present
discussion, can do a lot to shape up modern carpet
production. Again, I emphasize, when people are
really left to themselves, as in the DOBAG
project, they tend to use their instincts to
weave a fine carpet.
To me, this forum has been a great success, with
many intelligent comments, even from people who
have (so far) resisted using the checklist.
I would urge everyone to do so, so that we can
discuss its merits and limitations.
Nikos Salingaros