A connoisseur shares his expertise on the history, identification, and purchase of fine carpets, with detailed color photographs-- Contains 160 color photos of both antique and modern carpets-- The author draws on his lifelong expertise as a dealer of fine carpets, offering advice on making a sound financial choice about investments-- Includes tips on matching rugs to home decor and how to care for and clean fine carpetsLong before recorded time, ancient civilizations were weaving carpets; even five centuries before Christ, there is evidence that the practice had already been elevated to an art form. It is from this tradition that rug merchant Essie Sakhai weaves his story about the history, meaning, and value of carpets both ancient and modern.The Story of Carpets includes fascinating details about the meanings of patterns woven into rugs and how those designs, in concert with the colors of a rug, can be read to understand the cultural origin of the carpet. Chapters include:-- In a Faraway Land: The importance of weaving in nomadic society, illustrated in legend and lifestyle-- Unravelling the Tale: The weaving process, loom types, and method and origins of knotting techniques-- Reading the Pictures: Common pattern elements and their possible origins and meanings as well as prayer rugs and the role of religion in the development of designWoven into Sakhai's historical account of carpets is a detailed guide for choosing fine carpets with an eye toward value and investment. He discusses how to determine a rug's age, quality, and condition; how to find reputable dealers; and how to display, care for, and clean fine carpets.