Author: Volkmar GantzhornPublisher: TaschenYear: 1998Language: EnglishPages: 532ISBN/UPC (if available): 3822805459 DescriptionThis publication traces and analyses the art of the oriental carpet over a period of two and a half thousand years. The author’s research has resulted in completely new contextual insights amounting to nothing less than a revision of the history of the oriental carpet. He has been able to trace patterns back to Phrygian and other traditions, which survived in the work of Armenian craftsmen up to the beginning of our won century: carpets as symbols of power and as deeply religious abstract textile icons.The oriental carpet is neither of nomadic origin, nor do its origins lie in central Asia; it is a product of ancient oriental civilizations in the Armenian uplands at the crossroads of the oldest trade routes between west, north and south. The author’s assertion is supported by an unprecedented wealth of full-coloured illustrations showing the finest and most important examples of the art of the carpet. The illustrations include book illumination, paintings, decorative arts and architectural details and elucidate previously unknown developments.This work documents what is probably Armenia’s greatest contribution to cultural history. REVIEWOriental Carpets is an academic milestone for better understanding of a highly interesting subject in the history of cultural anthropology. Both scientifically and visually the work is breathtaking.-Arpa Foundation for Film, Music & Art, Los AngelesContentsFOREWORD BY ROBERT BARTLETT HAASACKNOWLEDGEMENTSINTRODUCTIONPART ONE: FROM THE BEGINNINGS TO THE HIGH MIDDLE AGESThe Pazyryk Carpet and the Emergence of the Knotted-Pile CarpetTraditional DesignsTHE CHRISTIAN ORIENTAL CARPETThe Beginnings: Carpet PagesEarly FragmentsA: THE EARLY MIDDLE AGESCarpet-Group A ICarpets with Cross-Block BordersCarpet-Group A IICarpets with Pseudo-Kufic bordersCarpet-Group A IIICoffered-Form Medallion CarpetsB. THE HIGH MIDDLE AGESCarpets in European PaintingCarpets in Armenian and Syrian PaintingCarpets in Chinese-Sung Dynasty PaintingCarets in Islamic PaintingCarpet-Group BIHolbein Carpet PrototypesCarpet-Group B IICoffered-Form Medallion Carpets IILarge-Patter (LP) Holbein CarpetsCarpet-Group B IIIDamascus/Mamluk Carpets ICarpet-Group B IVParamamluk CarpetsChessboard CarpetsCarpet-Group B VSpanish CarpetsPART TWO: FROM THE LATE MIDDLE AGES TO MODERN TIMESThe Historical SituationTHE CHRISTIAN ORIENTAL CARPET IIC-FROM THE LATE MIDDLE AGES TO THE 18TH CENTURYCarpet-Group C ICross-Star Carpets-Eastern Design GroupsCarpet-Group C IISmall-Pattern (SP) Holbein CarpetsCarpet-Group C IIILotto CarpetsCARPET-GROUP C IVCROSS-STAR CARPETS-WESTERN DESIGN GROUPSCarpet-Group C IV aStar-Ushak Carpets ICarpet-Group C IV bStar-Ushak Carpets IICarpet-Group C IV cStar-Ushak Carpets IIICarpet-Group C IV dMedallion-Ushak CarpetsCARPET-GROUP C VDIAMOND-FORM CROSS CARPETS AND STEP-FORM CROSS CARPETSCarpet-Group C V aMemling Gul CarpetsCarpet-Group C V bStep-Form Cross Carpets And Diamond-Form Cross CarpetsCarpet-Group C V cDragon CarpetsCarpet-Group C V dFlowering-Cross Carpets-Sunburst CarpetsCarpet-Group C V eGhirlandaio CarpetsCarpet-Group C VIBergama Coffered-Form CarpetsCarpet-Group C VIIDamascus/Mamluk CarpetsCarpet-Group C VIIINorth-west Persian Medallion CarpetsCross-Star CarpetsEast Armenian Design GroupsCarpet-Group C IX aCarpets from New Julfa/IsfahanCarpet-Group C IX bCarpets from South-western Persia, the Fars Region and the Afshani and Qashqai TerritoriesCarpet-Group C XCarpets from Central Asia I-Turkoman CarpetsCarpet-Group C XICarpets from Central Asia IICarpets of the Uzbeks, the Kirghizes and the Oasis Towns of East TurkestanCARPET-GROUP C XII ARCH-FORM CARPETS-PARADISE-GATE CARPETSCARPET-GROUP C XII aColumned Arch-From Carpets IMulti-Column Ladik CarpetsCarpet-Group C XII b1Columned Arch-Form Carpets IICairene CarpetsCarpet-Group C XII b2Columned Arch-Form Carpets IIITransylvanian Niche-Form CarpetsCarpet-Group C XII cArch-Form Carpets IV-Bellini TypeCarpet-Group C XII dMultiple-Arch CarpetsSUMMARY AND OUTLOOKABBREVIATIONSNOTESBIBLIOGRAPHY
