Sardinian Rugs

( Originally Published Early 1900's )

Rugs have been made for generations on the Island of Sardinia, which to an extent unparalleled elsewhere has retained her traditional arts uncorrupted and unchanged. The descendants of the first Sardinian weavers sit before the ancient looms weaving on new warps of wool the same patterns that have taken form over and over again under the fingers of succeeding generations. Certain patterns are distinctive of certain families, but in all of them occur birds, animals and geometric figures.

Vegetable dyes survive in this medieval island. Black, yellow and red supply the color schemes. The rugs are exceedingly simple but so aloof and uninfluenced by the culture of the world, which has been content to let Sardinia alone in her yet feudal civilization. Sardinian rugs are indeed romantic and unique.