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www.privateairny.com Private Air | Summer 2020 92 deep midnight indigo hues that stand the test of time. Within each color, an astonishing spectrum of tints was wrought, as many as twenty shades—the result of the abrash (intentional color-shifting) technique at its finest—adding great visual depth to particular parts of a carpet. For instance, rust, shrimp, terra-cotta, coral and pomegranate, all based in the madder vegetable dye, would be used in a single border. "e rangaz (dyer) may always be known by his arms," observed English physician C.J. Wills, who traveled widely in mid-19th century Persia, "which are generally stained deep blue, as indigo is most used." And then there are the Ferahan greens in tones that range from soft celadon and teal to darker shades of jade, emerald and pine. When it comes to employing natural dyes, green is among the most difficult to control, as it often required a two-step process of overdyeing indigo with yellow. e "Gentleman's" Ferahan was frequently distinguished by a pistachio-hued border that was derived by an unusual one-step process from a particular locally harvested buckthorn berry not seen in other rugs. Winitz notes, "We believe this virtuosity of color is yet another Armenian influence. roughout history, the Armenians were considered master dyers as well as accomplished weavers whose long heritage included a plethora of proprietary dye recipes. In Claremont's forty years of experimentation in dyeing yarns for rug restoration, we have cracked the code for many, but hardly all of the Ferahan tonalities." Written records clearly show that throughout the 19th century, this innovative weaving style with humble cottage industry beginnings came to dominate early an international market. Today it is still possible, although increasingly difficult, to find superb Ferahan and Ferahan Sarouks from the first three quarters of the 19th century. (Far more available are their early 20th century descendants, in which the fluidity of pattern and range of color of their forbearers is notably diminished.) As with any art form, the most sensitive and accomplished works are relatively few in comparison to the number of pieces made. at said, the region was so prolific and groundbreaking that connoisseurs worldwide continue to be drawn to and enraptured by them. FROM TOP: Rare Persian Ferahan "Sunburst" Rug, c. 1850, a stylized floral depiction of the sun's rise, midday, and setting. Persian Ferahan "Gentleman's Rug", c. 1850, an astonishing chromatic display achieved by an exceptionally fine weave. THE COLLECTION

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