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Excerpts taken from "Rug Notes"
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Harold and Melissa Keshishian
Collection Of
Caucasian Rugs at the TM
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Even after more than twenty five years Harold
Keshishian still packs them in when he speaks at the Textile Museum. In the years since
Harold helped start the popular Saturday morning programs at the Textile Museum he has
been a very popular speaker. Saturday November 22, 1997 was no exception not only was it
standing room only, but late attendees were turned away because the room could hold no
more people.
Genje Prayer Rug
Central Caucasus, late nineteenth - early twentieth, Wool 4 ft. 11
in. by 3 ft. 3. in. Collected by Mr. Keshishian in Istanbul.
Warp: wool, 3 strand Z spun S plied ivory and tan.
Weft wool red, blue and light green, 2 shoots.
Pile: wool Knot: symmetrical V9, H8, 72/square inch
Edges: 2 cord double selvage of two cord each in red and reddish
orange wool.
Ends: lower incomplete, Upper 1/4 in. red wool wefted plain weave
remains. |
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Harold was assisted by his wife Melissa McGee
Keshishian and myself (Barry O'Connell) but it was very much his show. He gave a rather
personal view of how and why he collected the various pieces. Harold has rather eclectic
taste and pieces were added to the collection on a wide range of criteria. One of the rugs
was even a counterfeit that Harold bought knowing full well what it was. Interestingly
even after Harold pointed out it was a latter copy some people still insisted that it was
real.
Akstafa Rug
Eastern Caucasus, nineteenth century, Wool and cotton, 9 ft. 2 in.
by 4 ft. 1. in.
Warp: wool, 3 strand Z spun S plied ivory and some tan.
Weft wool (ivory, and some light blue), and some cotton, 2-4 shoots.
Pile: wool Knot: symmetrical V9, H8-9, 72-81/square inch
Edges: not original.
Ends: not original. |
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With Harold and Melissa Keshishian whose collection
now exceeds 700 rugs and carpets we saw old favorites from the pages of many books and
shows as well as the pages of Oriental Rug Review and Hali. We also saw many unpublished
treasures as well. Harold Keshishian was one of the first recipients of the prestigious
Joseph V. McMullan Award and is on the Board of the Near Eastern Art Research Center and
is a Trustee of the Textile Museum. Harold has two books to his credit "Rugs of the
Caucasus" in 1968 and "Treasures of the Caucasus" in 1993. Melissa for
years conducted the seminar on carpet restoration held annually at the TM. The Keshishians
live on a farm in Poolesville Maryland. After the talk a light lunch was served.
Alpan Kuba Fragment
Eastern Caucasus, nineteenth century, Wool and cotton, 9 ft. 2 in.
by 4 ft. 1. in.
Warp: wool, 3 strand Z spun S plied ivory alternate warps very
slightly depressed.
Weft wool ivory, 2 shoots.
Pile: wool Knot: symmetrical V12, H8, 96/square inch
Edges: not original.
Ends: incomplete. |
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