Posted by Yon Bard on June 28, 1999 at 20:27:17:
In Reply to: solid foundations? posted by Erol Abit on June 28, 1999 at 16:22:46:
: : What does this mean? If almost all the knowledge accumulated in the libraries, books, etc until today consists of the knowledge mostly by "traditional ways", what does "solid foundations" mean then? Is it like C14 tests? I omit this because it seems that it doesn't sense less than 100 years in the case of rugs.
: : So, "solid foundations" is to give more reference to other sources? But then, weren't all other sources too gathered by "traditional ways"? So, what does "solid foundations" means then? (Actually, what it is meant by "traditional" is too broad and when used for scorning such kind of knowledge, this field kills itself due to the kind of knowledge in this field. Last, C14 is relatively less useful than the traditional ways as you said.)
: : Regards,
: : Erol
: My emphasize is on "solid foundations" rather than traditional ways or lore. What solid foundation means? Erol
Erol, I'll give you some examples of what constitutes a 'solid foundation:'
1. Appearance of a rug in a painting of known date, as is the case with the Holbeins, Lottos, etc.
2. A well documented provenance, as, e.g., a rug that was taken from the Ottomans at the siege of Vienna, or commisioned by a Polish nobleman from weavers of Safavid Persia.
3. Detailed observations made by travellers in the region where the rugs were woven.
In contrast, 'traditional lore' may be accurate in many cases, but is embellished with myths that develop over the years in others, and without corroboration from other sources (such as the above) cannot be accepted as reliable.
Regards, Yon