Posted by Marvin AmsteY on February 03, 1999 at 18:31:37:
In Reply to: nude figures posted by Christoph Huber on February 03, 1999 at 17:15:54:
: Dear Sirs
: I'm not sure whether the nude male figures mentioned by Irwin Kirsch can so easily be explained as a Christian "malice" against Muslim customers, because they seem to me being much deeper rooted in the ornament-canon of Oriental carpets. How else could they also be found on the beautiful Baluch rug depicted on the cover (of the German edition) of James Opies "Tibal Rugs" and on the Turkmen horse-cover in Werner Loges "Turkmenische Teppiche" (No. 51). What kind of tradition they represent I can't say, the question puzzles me for quite a long time...
: Regards, Christoph
Dear Christoph,
I am equally puzzled. In fact most male figures seen on ethnographic rugs, in my experience and survey, are depicted "nude". Women are not - or their obvious physical attributes are left off the drawing. On the other hand, the planned urban rugs, and the great court rugs of the past have no examples that I can find of "nude" figures. Regards, Marvin