60-minute Companion tapes:
The following VHS tapes are available: |
Program
#143: "Beginning Buyer's Guide"
This companion to the series includes
highlights from the second series of programs, including
an explanation of the materials and design elements found
in handmade carpets. Special emphasis is placed on what
consumers should avoid when purchasing oriental
rugs. |
Program #143
"Beginning Buyer's Guide"
|
Program
#144: "Living with Oriental Rugs"
This companion to the series includes
highlights from the first ten program episodes, including
an overview of history, design, and care of oriental rugs.
Program host, John Kurtz conducts an informational session
with first-time rug buyers. |
Program #144:
"Living with Oriental Rugs"
|
Program
#145: "The Practical Guide"
This companion to the series includes
highlights from the third series of programs, including
a review of "rug terminology". Historic and contemporary
design trends are discussed, and program host John Kurtz
offers tips on the maintenance and repair of oriental
rugs. |
Program
#145:
"The Practical Guide"
|
Program
#146: "Decorating with Oriental Rugs"
This companion to the series includes
concentrated information on decorating with oriental rugs
at home, and in office settings. Top decorators offer
insight on mixing color and design. Program host John
Kurtz reviews a wide range of room settings, giving practical
tips for matching rugs with rooms. |
Program
#146:
"Decorating with Oriental Rugs"
|
| |
Individual
30-minute episodes:
The following VHS tapes are available: |
Program #101:
"Woven Treasures"
This debut program takes viewers on
a carpet ride through the subjects and locales the series
examines through the course of the series. These include
the rugs of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the ancient art
of knot tying in a village in Turkey, a rug co-op in San
Francisco and a rug auction at Sotheby's, New York. |
Program
#101:
"Woven Treasures"
|
Program
#102: "Collectors: Hooked on Rugs!"
Host John Kurtz visits collectors to
discuss sources of rugs -- from auctions to garage sales
-- and the use of rugs to decorate walls and floors, then
to rug collector and basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar
to discuss his collection. |
Program
#102:
"Collectors: Hooked on Rugs!"
|
Program
#103: "Importers: Getting the Rugs to Market"
The ancient and modern routes of
transport for oriental rugs are explored in this episode.
Often third or fourth generation rug traders, the large
Manhattan house operators trace their roots back to exporters
and agents in Persia or other weaving countries. |
Program
#103:
"Importers:
Getting the Rugs to Market"
|
Program
#104: "Navajo!"
The series travels to the Navajo reservation
of Arizona and New Mexico, to the 19th Century trading
posts still operating today, to a Navajo woman who sits
on the plain weaving in a centuries-old manner she predicts
will soon be a lost art. |
Program #104:
"Navajo!"
|
|
Program
#105: "Care and Feeding of Oriental Rugs"
Proper rug washing, vacuuming, moth
damage control and delicate restoration techniques are
demonstrated. John talks to expert rug repairmen who
can identify age-old stains and apply proper compounds
to remove them.
|
Program #105:
"Care and Feeding of Oriental Rugs"
|
|
Program
#106: "How the Pros Work with Rugs"
This episode explores how top designers
and rug dealers work together to produce that "Architectural
Digest" look for prominent clients. Bill Blass tells
how he is coordinating his Kashmir crewel rug collection
with fabrics.
|
Program #106:
"How the Pros
Work with Rugs"
|
Program
# 107: "Flatweaves: Rugs in Two Dimensions"
This episode looks at the "flatweave"
or tapestry-like rugs that use a warp and a weft weave
rather than a knot construction. These flatweaves -- kilims,
dhurries, tapestries, Aubussons and Navajos -- offer the
consumer the chance to invest in "art underfoot" at a
more affordable level. |
Program
# 107:
"Flatweaves:
Rugs in Two Dimensions"
|
Program
#108: "Origins, Symbols and Designs"
An expert from Washington's Textile
Museum traces the ancient symbolism in the designs of
many oriental rugs, which are often rooted in other disciplines,
such as architecture, calligraphy or nature. |
Program #108:
"Origins, Symbols and Designs" <
|
Program
#109: "Wholesalers: Integrity & Savvy = The Art of
Doing Business"
In search of old and valuable rugs,
this episode starts in a rug gallery in New York, where
Host John Kurtz and a rug dealer debate over the relative
merits of a Sarouk, a semi-antique carpet from Iran, then
to wholesale rug markets, where mostly Iranian dealers
buy, sell and trade rugs. |
Program
#109
"Wholesalers: Integrity &
Savvy = The Art of
Doing Business"
|
Program
#110: "Great Rugs for Great Homes... Including Yours!"
The history of oriental rugs in America
from the 17th to the 19th centuries is detailed through
settings like the world-renowned Winterthur Museum, where
over 100 rooms are authentically furnished, to Washington's
State Department, where fabulous antique rugs grace the
public rooms. |
Program
#110:
"Great Rugs for Great Homes... Including Yours!"
|
Program
#111: "How to Buy an Oriental Rug"
Where to look for rugs, old and new;
questions to ask; what to avoid (Going-Out-of-Business
Sales, hotel auctions, etc.); insurance (documenting sale
with photos and paperwork); rug trading; a word about
wear; machine-made rugs) |
Program
#111:
"How to Buy an Oriental Rug"
|
Program
#112: "Kuwait: A Bedouin Weaving Tradition"
The Al-Sadu weaving project -- Kuwait's
attempt to honor and preserve the Bedouin weaving tradition;
lifestyle and cultural traditions of these "desert dwellers"
who produce these colorful, functional weavings. |
Program
#112:
"Kuwait: A Bedouin
Weaving Tradition"
|
Program
#113: "The Grandmother Rugs"
Sarouks, etc.; what they look like,
where they came from; why they were popular; what they
are worth; how they got here; how they are sometimes painted.
|
Program
#113:
"The Grandmother Rugs"
|
Program
#114: "Oriental Rugs Origins and Symbols"
An examination of historic/classic
motifs; Clue as to what they mean and where they come
from are offered by some of the world's leading rug authorities. |
Program
#114:
"Oriental Rugs Origins
and Symbols"
|
Program
#115: "What's My Rug Worth"
John and guest experts from two of
the world's leading auction houses with wonderful, varied
rug samples discuss viewer questions regarding rug appraisal,
valuation and insurance. |
Program
#115:
"What's My Rug Worth"
|
|
Program #116:
" Classical Navajo Weaving"
A look at classical Navajo Weaving
pieces and traditions; Interviews with Navajo textile
experts Nancy Blomberg and Joe Ben Wheat.
|
Program
#116:
" Classical Navajo Weaving"
|
Program
#117: "More Great Rugs for Great Homes"
A look at the great rugs of Glencairn:
a nine story castle on the outskirts of Philadelphia.
John and guest expert George O'Bannon tour this great
home and preview its collection of more than 200 wonderful
rugs! |
Program
#117:
"More Great Rugs for
Great Homes"
|
Program
#118: "Hooked on Rugs!"
A look at other types of hand made
rugs including modern American hooked rugs and the "hookers"
who create the wide array of colorful designs. |
Program
#118:
"Hooked on Rugs!"
|
Program
#119: "What is It?"
John and panel of experts from the
"rug world" read and respond to interesting viewer mail
and identify curious, unusual rugs. |
Program
#119:
"What is It?"
|
Program
#120: "Caucasian Rugs"
The Caucasian weaving tradition;
Early design examples from this popular type are discussed
by the world's leading experts; lots of color and powerful
design! |
Program
#120:
"Caucasian Rugs"
|
Program
#121: "The World's Greatest Rugs" (Part I)
The European Fine Art Fair in Holland
is the "Fairest of All Fairs", attracting the world's
leading dealers of art, antiques and oriental rugs. In
this first of three programs, top European collectors
exhibit great classical carpets and bold, graphic tribal
rugs. |
Program
#121:
"The World's Greatest Rugs"
(Part I)
|
Program
#122: "The World's Greatest Rugs" (Part II)
This second of three programs from
the from the European Fine Art Fair in Holland features
more of the world's greatest paintings, sculpture and
oriental rugs. Host John Kurtz and top European collectors
explore the relationship between antique carpets and modern
art. |
Program
#122:
"The World's Greatest Rugs"
(Part II)
|
Program
#123: "The World's Greatest Rugs" (Part III)
Textiles and tulips highlight this
last of three programs originating from the European Fine
Art Fair in Holland. Host John Kurtz talks with top European
collectors who show off rare and unusual oriental rugs,
and magnificent Flemish tapestries. |
Program
#123:
"The World's Greatest Rugs"
(Part III)
|
Program
#124: "Heriz and More!"
Rug experts George O'Bannon and Lee
Beshar join host John Kurtz in the gallery for a show-and-tell
focusing on colorful designs from the Heriz vicinity in
northwest Persia. The identifying color characteristics
and crisp designs of these popular rugs are discussed.
|
Program
#124:
"Heriz and More!"
|
Program
#125: "Great Rugs from Great Homes" (Part I)
One of America's greatest homes,
Biltmore House in Ashville, North Carolina is the setting
for the first of two programs focusing on the magnificent
rugs and tapestries on display in George Vanderbilt's
Mansion, now a museum. Host John Kurtz goes behind the
scenes to look at special techniques for storing rugs.
|
Program
#125:
"Great Rugs from Great Homes"
(Part I)
|
Program
#126: "Great Rugs from Great Homes" (Part II)
Conservator Patricia Ewer takes host
John Kurtz behind the scenes to the textile conservation
laboratory at Biltmore House, George Vanderbilt's turn-of-the-century
mansion in Ashville, North Carolina. More of the museum's
oriental rug and tapestry collection are highlighted.
|
Program
#126:
"Great Rugs from Great Homes"
(Part II)
|
Program
#127: "New Rugs for American Markets" (Part I)
This first of two programs features
the latest colors, textures and designs in new oriental
rugs currently available to American consumers. Host John
Kurtz travels to the International Furniture Market in
High Point, North Carolina for a preview of new rugs using
historic designs and colorful, graphic Tibetan weaving.
|
Program
#127
"New Rugs for American Markets"
(Part I)
|
Program
#128: "New Rugs for American Markets" (Part II)
This second of two programs features
more of the latest colors, textures and designs in new
oriental rugs with an accent on historic reproductions
of pile carpets and intricate needlepoint rugs. Design
consultant Dan Carithers ties rugs to the room in a decorating
commentary. |
Program #128:
"New Rugs for American Markets"
(Part II)
|
Program
#129: "Decorating with Oriental Rugs" (Part I)
Rug expert Dennis Dodd does a show-and-tell
on decorating with oriental rugs in home and office settings.
Then host John Kurtz chats with the "Prince of Chintz"
himself, New York-based interior designer Mario Buatta
on rugs as part of a decorating scheme. |
Program #129:
"Decorating with Oriental Rugs"
(Part I)
|
Program
#130: "Decorating with Oriental Rugs" (Part II) <
Host John Kurtz joins homeowner Nancy
Whales for a tour of a most unusual house combining medieval
themes with contemporary designs and "the carpet as the
soul of the apartment!" Unique room settings are built
around a variety of old and new oriental rugs. |
Program #130:
"Decorating with Oriental Rugs"
(Part II)
|
Program
#131: "Profile of an American Weaver"
The rug weaving tradition is alive
and well in New York City, as interpreted by contemporary
American weaver Stanley Bulbach. Stan discusses reviving
historic techniques for selecting wools and creating dyes,
and exhibits newly woven designs. |
Program
#131: "
" Profile of an American Weaver"
|
Program
#132: "New Traditions" (Part I)
Village weavers in eastern Turkey
approach their work personally, improvising as they draw
inspiration from their environment to create colorful
Azeri Folklife Carpets. |
Program
#132:
"New Traditions" (Part I)
|
Program
#133: "New Traditions" (Part II)
Ancient weaving techniques meet modern
marketing strategies in the Black Mountain Looms project,
boosting local economies in India, Turkey and China. |
Program #133:
"New Traditions" (Part II)
|
Program
#134: "New Tibetan Heirlooms"
Nepalese and Tibetan weavers revive
old traditions with lanolin-rich wool from Himalaya sheep,
breathing new life into village economies in Nepal. |
Program
#134:
"New Tibetan Heirlooms"
|
Program
#135: "Art Underfoot"
A colorful blend of new, computer
technology and old workshop techniques transforms artist
Tim Van Campen's designs into beautiful needlepoint rugs.
|
Program
#135:
"Art Underfoot"
|
Program
#136: "Road to Morocco" ( Part I)
Nomadic weavers paint desert landscapes
with colorful designs woven into decorative functional
|
Oriental
Rugs et. al.
