Rugs and Carpets of Europe and the Western World

The craft of carpet weaving reached a refined art in ancient Byzantium and Asia Minor long before the capitals of Europe existed, but it was the Moors of North Africa who first introduced the craft to the western world when they invaded and conquered Spain. The history of western or Occidental design begins in Spain during the early 15th century when Christian motifs or symbols began to pervade those formalized geometric and floral designs of the Orient. From this historical beginning the authors trace the influence of Moorish weavers to France, where rug and carpet design reached the ultimate of refinement and quality at the famous manufacturies of Aubusson and Sabonnarie. From France the development of the art is traced to England, Scandinavia, Greece and America. In treating the subject in the United States the early homemade rugs of New England, the Shaker rugs, and the rugs of the native Americans are discussed...