Untitled - Oscar Isberian Rugs

Imagine taking a magic carpet ride to the other side of the world,
discovering towns and villages where rug weaving is a way of life, and
carpets are the people’s prize possession.
Since 1920, the specialists at Oscar Isberian Rugs have traveled to just such places. We have
assembled the Midwest’s most diverse, distinctive and extensive collection of fine Oriental rugs.
It’s no wonder we are the preferred source for Oriental rugs among discerning homeowners,
corporate executives, and interior designers.
We invite you to enjoy the following pages – the magnificent combinations of colors,
patterns, elegant symmetries and superb realizations of the weavers’ craft. We also invite
you to experience the Oscar Isberian concept of personal service at any of our galleries.
Winner of the
Oriental Rug Retailer
of the Year Award
122 West Kinzie Street
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-467-1212
1028 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847-475-0000
3330 Skokie Boulevard
(at Old Elm Road)
Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-266-1515
at Richard Honquest
Fine Furnishings
1455 South Barrington Road
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: 847-382-1700
www.isberian.com
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It all began in 1920 with eight rugs and
a wheeled cart. Today, our tradition of
exceptional personal service and an
unparalleled selection of exquisite
Oriental rugs from around the world is
well established – and on display at our
four spacious Chicago-area showrooms.
1925 — Oscar Isberian (at right) and
brother Megerditch display one of their
prized rugs next to the first company
automobile (which replaced the wheeled
cart in 1927).
A: 1958 — Oscar Isberian (at left)
examines Persian rugs from the collection
of two eminent merchants in Tehran.
B: 1936 — The original Oscar Isberian
Rugs store at 1028 Chicago Avenue,
Evanston. Built in 1928, the site is still
A.
home to one of the company’s four
showrooms.
C: 1979 — President Jimmy Carter and
First Lady Rosalynn greet Oscar Isberian at
a White House reception.
D: 1916 — Oscar Isberian (bottom row,
second from left) with basketball
teammates at Central School in Wilmette,
B.
C.
IL. Four years later, he co-founded the
company that has become Chicagoland’s
premier Oriental rug retailer.
E: 1966 — An antique Bidjar Oriental
rug from Oscar Isberian Rugs, which
was donated to the George Washington
National Masonic Building in
Alexandria, VA.
D.
E.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
INDIA
India
What strikes the visitor to India is its vastness, its clamor
and the richness of its culture. The multifariousness of
India’s people has created an intriguing array of rugs.
These rugs originate from many regions, each with its
own intricate weaving styles and designs. They can
boast jewel-tone colors, soft antique-style patinas or
contemporary tones inspired by the fashion industry.
The two largest weaving districts are the areas surrounding
the holy city of Varanasi in east-central India and Jaipur,
southwest of Delhi. They produce a myriad of wool rugs in
a plethora of patterns with countless sizes and qualities.
Varanasi is known for its wide range of classic rugs crafted
with traditional weaving techniques, from low-end tufted rugs
to those with very high knot counts. In the last decade, Jaipur
has become the major rug weaving center in India, home to
some of the most exquisite and decorative rugs in the world.
Many of these are woven with blends of wools imported from
two or three countries to create a truly unique texture. One
rug can incorporate more than twenty different colors, adding
impressive depth and complexity.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
India
Photo taken at: Richard Honquest Fine Furnishings
tradition. quality. beauty.
Egypt
EGYPT
From the majestic pyramids to ancient artifacts,
Egypt has long been associated with timeless beauty
and artistic achievement. Thus, it is surprising Egypt is
not generally associated with Oriental rugs and carpets.
But while Egypt is a relatively minor exporter of rugs,
Egyptian weaves are among the finest in the world.
Despite a history of rug weaving dating back to at least the
sixteenth century, Egypt has only recently adopted modern
rug production techniques. This advance can be traced to
the renowned Megerian family, prestigious rug producers
who attend to every detail of color, design and texture.
These Egyptian rugs are often characterized by larger
design elements combined with substantial open spaces.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan
Nestled along the Arabian Sea, the mountain ranges and
deserts of Pakistan create landscapes of awe-inspiring
beauty . . . and harsh conditions to the people who live
among them. From this complex land comes some of the
world’s most distinctive hand-woven rugs.
Fabled for their quality and craftsmanship, these are
among the most popular classifications of Pakistan rugs:
Classic, Ghazani, Khyber, and Modern/Contemporary.
CLASSIC
Traditional interpretations of classic Safavidinspired workshop rugs, they are characterized
by intricate, precise, velvety, ornate, floral
designs woven in jewel-tone colors.
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GHAZANI
Inspired by the famous 19th century Ziegler
Sultanabad carpets, they are characterized by
relaxed, large-scale patterns and subdued tones,
with a unique texture derived from hand-spun
Ghazani wool. These rugs were originally woven
for the great country houses of Europe.
tradition. quality. beauty.
Pakistan
MODERN
These rugs are more noted for their beautiful
canvases of colors and textures rather than their
designs. With subdued backgrounds, they are well
suited to a wide variety of interior decors.
KHYBER
Beautiful realizations with crisp geometric lines and
highly contrasting colors, these rugs are inspired by
the legendary rugs of the Caucasian Mountains.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
ANTIQUE
Antique
Behind every antique rug is a story, a history that can be
read from every knot and every stitch. Passed down from
one generation to the next, many of these designs are
older than the Roman Empire, older than Greece and
Persia and Babylon. But despite their ancient origins, the
patterns are still timeless, with each weaver adding his
own interpretation, his own style, even a part of his own
life, to every rug.
Heriz rug from Oscar Isberian Rugs in a
Diplomatic Reception Room at the United
States Department of State, Washington, DC.
Originally, rugs were woven for personal use, rather than
these rugs become popular and affordable to the masses.
commerce. Weaving helped occupy otherwise idle hours
And it was not until the early 1900’s the term “Oriental Rug”
and provided a means of artistic expression. Gradually, rugs
was created, originally coined to make the rugs sound
became a source of trade, popularized by traveling nomads
more exotic and romantic.
and small villages, each with their own distinctive regional
designs and weaving techniques.
Today, antique rugs are highly-prized collectibles. They
rival the other decorative arts – such as sculpture, painting
The first Eastern rugs arrived in Western Europe in the
and furniture – in beauty, craftsmanship, and desirability.
11th century. These rugs were status symbols, owned only
Their place as furnishings of timeless value is secure
by royalty and the upper crust. Not until the 1800’s did
and well-deserved.
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Of the many types of antique rugs,
these are among the most popular:
TA B R I Z
The city of Tabriz is nestled in the recesses of the
Caucasus mountains and has been a center for
Oriental rug weaving and trade for many millennia.
The floral designs of a Tabriz will immerse you in the
soothing charm of a lush garden. These intricate
patterns are usually arranged to give the appearance
of delicate lacework.
HERIZ OR SERAPI
Many interior designers favor Heriz rugs as their
geometric designs are suited for both contemporary
and traditional settings. They will immediately
impress one with their liveliness and individuality.
These rugs are typically identified by their single
center medallion. The corners often display bold
motifs echoing, but not repeating, the design of the
center medallion.
KASHANS
Kashan is one of the finest weaving centers of the
East, its beauty embodied in the city’s finely woven
rugs. With designs dating back to the thirteenth
century, the Kashan is noted for its graceful use of
arabesques, ornamental designs of foliated stalks
and floral forms.
K I R M A N O R L AVA R R U G S
Lavar Rugs were woven in South East Persia in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. Rugs of this type
typically have intricate floral patterns with scrolling
vines throughout the field. The color palate includes
pale rose, ivory, camel, black, soft greens, and
blues. The carpets are tightly knotted with a thin
velvet-like texture.
tradition. quality. beauty.
Antique
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Room by Janet Schirn Design. Appeared in Shelter magazine.
tradition. quality. beauty.
NEPAL
Nepal
Once tent-dwelling nomads, the Tibetans are now Nepal’s
most accomplished rug weavers. Against the background
of the breathtaking Himalayas, they create a array of
beautiful and eclectic rug designs embodying the many
rich cultural influences of the region.
Custom Tibetan rug from Oscar Isberian Rugs in Resident’s
Lobby of the John Hancock Building, Chicago.
In the last ten years especially, Nepal has been the source for a
tremendous outpouring of hand-woven Oriental rugs. Few of
these rugs have indigenous patterns; rather, they have taken
those designs that have existed for centuries and recreated
them to work best with their unique weaving structure.
Rug designers have flocked to Nepal to create
new and exciting rug designs and textures,
producing the world’s best collection of contemporary designs
as well as traditional patterns. They are also a leader in custom
designs, and have geared their operations so custom rugs can
be woven in a consistent and timely manner.
One of the most delightful aspects of these rugs is they are
woven from Himalayan wool, the most expensive and finest
carpet wool available. The Himalayan sheep provide the
weaving community with a long fiber wool which is high in
lanolin content. As a result, it is both durable and elastic, as
well as highly stain resistant.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
CHINA
China
Of all the rug-producing countries, China weaves the
most diverse range of carpets. Among these are the
classic Peking, Ming, and Art-Deco styles and motifs
for which China is most well-known. These rugs range
in color from pastels to vibrant jewel tones.
Chinese rug from Oscar Isberian Rugs at The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Photo by Dan Rest.
In recent years, China has gained recognition for its
wide selection of traditional Sino-Persian rugs. These
carpets are based on the most celebrated Persian
designs, namely Kashan, Tabriz, Sarouk, and Isfahan.
They are created in a broad array of both traditional
Persian (dark reds and blues) and contemporary lines.
China is also the world’s second largest producer of
hand-made rugs, and has gained renown for its
re-creations of museum quality Aubusson and
Savonnerie carpets, as well as fine Silk rugs.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
IRAN
Iran
Iran is known for oil, fine caviar, and pistachio nuts –
but, historically, it is perhaps best known for rug weaving.
In fact, to many, Persian rugs (“Persia” became “Iran” in
1934) are synonymous with “Oriental” rugs.
Of all the rug producing countries, Iran is perhaps the
most renowned. Indeed, nowhere else is rug weaving as
closely identified with its people and culture. Hundreds of
cities and villages are famous for their rug making skills,
each with their own individual character and style. Their
output runs the gamut from coarsely woven nomadic and
village rugs like Afshar, Belouch, and Quashgai, to finely
made rugs such as Tabriz, Nain, Qum and Kashan.
Iran was the definitive producer of rugs in the world until
events beginning in the early 1970’s dramatically limited
their production and availability. The most notable of these
was the 1987 U.S. embargo on Iranian goods. The embargo
was only recently lifted, allowing these fabled rugs to once
again populate our showrooms.
tradition. quality. beauty.
Romania
ROMANIA
Any discussion about Romanian Rugs must focus on the
rugs from one man – fabled carpet maker Berdj Abadjian.
By far the largest exporter of Romanian carpets, Mr.
Abadjian’s almost maniacal passion has resulted in some
of the most magnificent carpets of the last hundred years.
All the carpets of this collection are hand woven on looms
owned and supervised by Mr. Abadjian himself. From
devising the designs to hand-picking the wool and the
dyes, Berdj renders total control over his vast operation.
Not since the 17th century has there been a hand weaving
enterprise of such scope and intensity, where artisan and
artist are joined so intimately.
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tradition. quality. beauty.
ARMENIA
Armenia
To the south of the great rug artisans of Russia and
north of the renowned weavers of Persia, sits a
legendary tradition of Caucasian carpet art. In fact,
Armenians are considered the earliest weavers of
Oriental rugs. Marco Polo and Herodotus are among
the countless observers who have recognized the
beauty of Armenian rugs through the centuries. It is
theorized the word “carpet” is derived from the
Armenian word “kapert,” meaning woven cloth.
A typical Armenian rug contains a division of
geometric fields, medallions, and motifs. Many of
these contain cross shapes, inspired by their history
as the first nation to adopt Christianity. Also popular
are human figures, and geometric bird and animal
figures alien to non-Armenian rugs. These carpets are
as finely textured as Armenia’s terrain, their colors
inspired by Armenia’s earth and stones, its vineyards
and hillside orchards, and the ruby red of its sunsets.
Because Caucasian rugs were traded throughout
the region, their patterns were widely dispersed and
often mimicked. They stand apart, however, because
of their unique and highly-praised construction
including the quality of their dyes, the color of their
warps, and the superior durability of their wool.
Oscar Isberian
312-467-1212
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C U STO M R U G S
To make a truly unique statement, or for that unusual
size space or hard-to-match décor, we suggest a rug be
custom-made to your individualized specifications. Size,
color, design and weave are yours to command.
Isberian artisans have created original as well as
modified patterns for the most discerning clientele.
A custom rug will effectively complement the
architecture, art collection, and singular character of
a home or office. And it can emulate any style from
antique classics to modern masterpieces.
Custom rugs can be woven as small as 1’ x 1’ and as
large as 35’ by 35’ to meet your requirements.
We are limited only by our collective imaginations.
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O R I E N TA L R U G S
F O R YO U R STA I R C A S E
An important or central staircase can always be
enhanced by an exquisite Oriental rug from the Oscar
Isberian collection. Known for its durability and
resistance to wear, such a rug will not only protect your
hardwood floor and reduce the risk of slipping, it will
create a powerful or beautiful accent to your home.
Either selected from our collection or custom designed,
either hand- or machine-woven, the right Oriental rug
can be located or created to complement any décor and
staircase shape - straight or spiral, simple or complex.
Isberian experts are available to visit your home,
measure and evaluate the space, and recommend the
perfect solution. Carpet rods of gold, brass or a
myriad of other metals can further individualize
the staircase treatment.
RUG CLEANING
A N D R E STO R AT I O N
A quality Oriental rug is an important investment that
will last for generations if cared for properly. To protect
your heirloom, always...
• Keep a good quality pad underneath to prevent
unnecessary friction and wear.
• Vacuum or sweep at least twice a month.
• Spot clean with mild soap and cold water to
remove spills.
• Rotate once a year to distribute traffic and
prevent uneven wear.
A typical Armenian rug contains a division of geometric
• Have the rug professionally cleaned every 4 to 6 years
fields, medallions, and motifs. Many of these contain
(more often if it is subjected to frequent heavy traffic).
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