The Salon du Tapis d'Orient is a moderated discussion group in the manner of the 19th century salon devoted to oriental rugs and textiles and all aspects of their appreciation. Please include your full name and e-mail address in your posting.
by Filiberto Boncompagni
Part II. Shopping
I have a look: this is nice. Verneh with Sileh motif. Modern. How much? $1500. What? I try to offer $1000, just to see the reaction. No way.
This looks old - “It is antique, very good, it is a …” (something like Gendje - that is consistent with the rug appearance). How much? $1500. Again? But then, he is on his way to Mecca. I’ll get him when he comes back. Bye!
The interview was almost a month ago. I haven’t seen him since then. Let’s go on. Mmmh! No good!
But there is a lot of other stuff around. See?
This is my wife trying a military canvas cap-cum-night-vision goggle. Must be for tanks: there is a plug for a power source.
Textiles…
Nice display!
Not bad this large oldish sumak fragment. How much? “Very antique!” (Antique is the best known and more abused
word here!). O.K., how much? $200. Mmmmh. Thanks.
These must be Turkmen jewels.
A silk batik? Yes, with the classical “boteh-and-car” motifs. There are also a lot of these bands around. Warp-float
weaves?
Want to buy a Russian Camera? A Russian military sniper telescopic sight?
Good for shooting wolves, among other things. Poor animals! I prefer shooting pictures (at least they don’t bite back. Ha! Ha!).
This is interesting: a Shahsavan mafrash. A lot of holes. The dyes look quite chemical. How Much? "From Shirvan"
(??!) "$500!" $500? I’ll give you $200! No. After 10 minutes we are at $250, but that’s it. OK. Thanks.
… Finally I see it! It was waiting for me, the sun drawing velvety reflections from its lustrous pile...
OK, OK, I’ll cut the poetry.
Ladies and Gentlemen, would you please follow me to Part III?