Oriental Rug Books Authors Beginning with M Buy oriental carpets 100% handmade area carpet and rugs from Tibet. Modern and traditional design. Armenian too! www.TufenkianCarpets.com Can't afford Tufenkian Carpets? Visit the ONLY official Tufenkian carpet outlet. Discontinued and one of kind rugs. www.TufenkianOutlet.com Need a custom area rug? If you can dream it, we can weave it. Custom area rugs by Tufenkian

If I lost it I would not replace it.

Of some use but not one I would go out of my way to find.

Useful.

Very useful and one I would recommend strongly.

A very important or even the definitive work on the subject. It does not have to be perfect but if I give it 5 stars and you are interested in that area then you should own a copy.

Not Yet Rated - I haven't gotten to it yet so if you wish to review it please feel free. There is a limit to how many books I can read so it is not rated do not assume anything is wrong with the book. If you disagree with any of my opinions write me and I may annotate this list with your comments.

MacDonald, Brian W. Tribal Rugs Treasures of The Black Tent. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors Club, 1997.

A very good look at what you are going to see in the market today. The pictures are excellent and MacDonald makes it very interesting. This is a serious look at rugs by one of the best dealers in England. I am glad I bought the book it seems a good value.

MacDougall, Elizabeth B. and Ettinghausen Richard. The Islamic Garden. Washington DC: Dumbarton Oaks, 1976.

Perhaps a bit esoteric for most Rug Book readers but an interesting look into Islamic art. one disappointment was that Ettinghausen plays a very small role in the book.

Mackie, Louise: The Splendor of Turkish Weaving ; Washington: 1974.

Mackie, Louise: The Splendor of Turkish Weaving ; Washington: 1973. 9.5 x 6.5 Paperback, GWO 1275. Textile Museum exhibition catalog of rugs and textiles from this collection., 4 CP, 44 b/w.

Mackie, Louise & Thompson, Jon. Turkmen. Washington DC: Textile Museum, 1980. 9 x 12, 95 CP, 117 b/w.

This is one of the most referenced books on the Turkmen. The book has a chapter on the Imreli that Dr. Jon Thompson later took a step back from. He admitted that the attribution to the Imreli was not supportable with the evidence available. Some respected people still have a problem with the Salor chapter. However the Thompson position on a limited Salor group seems to prevail at this point. While not perfect this book seems to best sum up the "conventional wisdom" about Turkmen rugs and as such is a must read for anyone who takes the study of Turkmen weaving at all seriously. N.B. A special note that it is past due to write about. This is a major work and Dr. Jon Thompson did an incredible job. The secret of the book Turkmen is that Dr. Jon Thompson was a last minute addition. This was to be primarily Louise Mackie's work. Two people who were on the Textile Museum Board of Directors at the time have told me that Mackie was stuck in the chapter "Turkmen Carpet Weaving in Historical Perspective". She was also expected to write the major section "Turkmen Carpet Weaving" which includes the cataloguing of the show and as such makes up most of the book. Thew board grew more and more concerned as the deadline approached. Finally with no sign of any major progress they decided they had to find someone who could rescue the book. They turned to Dr. Thompson. He took a last minute project and made it into one of the most important Rug books of all time. In the mad dash to finish this book Dr. Thompson waded into the Imreli question. Quiet rightly Thompson began the process of delineating a previously unknown group of rugs. Thompson was correct in that there was a distinct and distinguishable group of rugs with two clusters which he called Imreli and Fine Brown Yomut. Later others noticed structural peculiarities around which they concocted the Eagle Group Theory. Later Dr. Jon Thompson said that his attribution to the Imreli was provocative. Well, in retrospect the Imreli attribution is provocative but that is not the same as saying it is wrong. There were Imreli and they did weave rugs. Maybe they wove these, after all someone did.

Guest Reviewer - James Allen Anyone interested in learning about Turkoman weaving should start with Turkmen by Mackie and Thompson, some of the theories are outdated but it is the best picture book available.

Mackie, Louise et al. Prayer Rugs. Washington DC: Textile Museum, 1974.

This book is a valuable reference work that has stood the test of time. If a new edition came out today there would not be much to change. That the book allows differing opinions among the authors is a real strength. You will see rugs where the attribution is to Persia but Ellis attributes it to India.

MacLean, A. & Blair, D. Catalogue of Oriental Rugs in the Collection of James F. Ballard. 1924, John Heron Art Institute.

Magnus, Ralph H. Ed. Afghan Alternatives, New Brunswick: Transaction Books, 1988

Fairly dated but of some use as back ground on Afghanistan.

Maksimov, V. & Sorokin, E., ed. Kirghiz OIimoloru / Kirgizskii Uzor / THE Kirghiz Pattern. 1986,

Maksimov, V. and Y. Sorokin: The Kirghiz Pattern. Frunze: 1986.

Mallett, Marla. Woven Structures: A Guide to Oriental Rug and Textile Analysis. Atlanta: Christopher Publications and Marla Mallett Textiles, 1998.

Buy this book! Best book on structure. If you enjoy my RugNotes site then you will love her book. Woven Structures Web Site marlam@mindspring.com

Mallowan, M.E.L.: Early Mesopotamia and Iran ; London: 1965. 6 x 8.5, Library of the Early Civilizations. 1/2 gone., 40 CP 102 b/w.

Manual of Dyes and Dying ; (Burlington): (1930). 4 x 6 Paperback, 32 CP.

Marchese, R., Achepohl, K, & Subler, C. A. Family Holdings, Turkish Nomadic Flatweaves. 1991,

Marks, R, Scott, R. Gasson B. Thomson, J. Vainker, P.: THE BURRELL COLLECTION.
Collins. 1983.

Good general guide to the Burrell Collection, 6 rugs but some very important ones.

Marshall, Jonathan. Drug Wars. Forestville Ca: Cohen & Cohen. 1994.

Maslow, Jonathan. Sacred Horses, The Memories of a Turkman Cowboy. NY: 1994.

Mast, Ted. Ancient Faith, An Exhibition of Rustic Prayer Rugs. Bryn Athyn Pa.: 1993.

Martin, F. R. "A History Of Oriental Carpets Before 1800." Oriental Rug Review Vol. VI, No. 3 June 1986

This may well be the single most significant work ever published in Oriental Rug Review. The Martin book is still valuable as a reference work but having the notes and commentary by Murray Eiland J. and the late Charles Grant Ellis makes it invaluable. A present from Ron O'Callaghan.

Marvin, Charles: The Russians at the Gates of Herat ; London: (1885?) 4th ed.. 4 x 6.5.

Masson, V.M. and V.I. Sarianidi: Central Asia, Turkmenia Before the Achaemenids ; NY: 1972. 6 x 8, Ancient Peoples and Places series. Translated from original Soviet Union fieldwork and research., 96 b/w.

Mathews, Sibyl I.: Charted Designs for Needle-Made Rugs ; London: 1968. 7.5 x 10, 45 b/w charts.

Mathews, Thomas F. and Wieck, Roger S. Treasures In Heaven. New York: The Pierpont Morgan Library and Princeton University Press. 1994.

An invaluable look at Armenian Illuminated Manuscripts. Only by understanding the art of the Armenians can we make meaningful conclusions about the art of the Persians especially in the Safavid period. The Art of Sargis Pitsak stands out as a possible origin of some "Islamic" carpet motifs.

May, C. J. Delabere. How to Identify Persian Rugs and Other Oriental Rugs. NY: (1952).

McMullan, Joseph V. and Reichert, Donald O. The George Walter Vincent and Belle Townsley Smith Collection of Islamic Rugs. Springfield Mass: George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, 1965.

An interesting Museum collection that could stand a little updating and more color plates. A present from my brother Jim.

McMullan, Joseph V. Islamic Carpets. New York: Near Eastern Art Research Center, 1965.

This is one of the all time greatest rug books. The importance of McMullan's work. vision and collection can not be understated. Joe McMullan was a great collector but I wish he had paid a little attention to structure. The collection is wonderful and the plates are a joy to behold.

McMullan, Joseph V. et al. Islamic Carpets From The Joseph V. McMullan Collection. London, England: Arts Council of Great Britain, 1972.

David Sylvester wrote the section "Western attitudes to Eastern Carpets". May H. Beattie wrote the section "On The Making of Carpets". Excellent plates of a World Famous collection. This is often called Joe McMullan's little book. That is only valid in comparison to his big book.

Mehta, R.J. Masterpieces of Indian Textiles. 1994

Meisch, L.A. The Traditional Textiles of the Andes. 1997,

Meister, Peter W. Persische Teppich. Hamburg: 1971.

Meilach, Dona and Lee Erlin Snow: Weaving Off-Loom ; Chicago: 1973. 8.5 x 11, 11 CP 386 b/w.

Mellaart, James: Earliest Civilizations of the Near East ; London: 1965. 5.5 x 8 Paperback, 30 CP 78 b/w.

Mellaart, J, V. Hirsch and B. Balpinar. Goddess from Anatolia. Milan: 1989.

Mellaart, James. The Neolithic of the Near East. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.1975.

Melzhitova, El'mira. Turkmen Folk Art. Ashkabad: 1990.

Memsel, David E.: Oriental Rugs, A Guide to Purchase and Care ; (Nashville): 1979. 5.5 x 8.5, 4 b/w 2 diagrams.

Menaul, Stewart. et al. Russian Military Power, New York: St. Martins Press, Inc. 1980

Useful book on the Afghan war era Soviet military, Well written and excellent pictures.

Mera, H. P. Spanish-American Blanketry. 1987,

Mercante d'Oriente. Old Carpets and Modern Artist. Verona: (1988).

Mercante d'Oriente. Shahsavan Mafrash and Khorjin. Verona: 1986.

Merx, H. U. Textile Kunstwerke Der Volker Mittelasiens. vol 1, 1991,

Meschoulam, E. M. Collezione E. M. Meschoulam. 1984,

Meschoulam, E. M. Un Po'Di Turchi Pieni Di Vita. 1991,

Mesciulam, L. Tappetie Kilim Anatolici dal 600 al 900. Genoa: 1981.

Metropolitan Museum of Art. Egyptian Art. 1983/84, MMA Bulletin,

Metzger, Henri: Anatolia II ; Geneva: 1969. 6 x 9 Ancient Civilization series. 33 CP 113 b/w.

Meyer-Muller AG. Kostbarkeiten Aus Dem Orient. n.d.(1985),

Meyer-Punter, C. Der Orientteppich in Geschite Kunstgewerbe und Handel. 1917,

Meyer-Punter, C. Meisterwerke Altpersischer Teppichknupferei. 1921,

Middleton, A. Rugs and Carpets. 1996,

Migeon, Gaston. Les Arts Musulmans. Paris/Bruxelles 1926. 7.5 x 10 Paperback, 64 b/w (3 rugs & textiles).

Milanesi, Enza. The Bullfinch Guide To Carpets. 1992, Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1993

This book looks like a beginner level general rug book but it is actually very useful. Of all of my beginner books this is one I still go back to.

Milgram, Stanley. Obedience to Authority, New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1974

This makes good reading when viewed in the context of the Muqaddimah. Read both and Lois Beck's two books and then Tribalism in Southwest Asia makes sense.

Milhofer, Stefan A. Die Teppiche Zentral Asiens (Rugs of Central Asia) ; Hannover: 1968.

Minassian, J. H. The Poetry of Oriental Rugs. Los Angeles: 1920.

Ministry of Culture, Turkey: Anatolian Kilims I ; Ankara: 1995. 9 x 13, Catalog shows Kilims from public and private collections. Includes design analysis., 100 CP.

Ministry of Culture, Turkey: Turkish Handwoven Carpets #5 ; Istanbul: 1995. 9 x 13, Catalog shows carpets from public and private collections. Includes design analysis., 100 CP.

Ministry of Culture, Turkey: Anatolian Kilims 2 ; Ankara: 1995. 9 x 13, Catalog shows Kilims from public and private collections. Includes design analysis., 100 CP.

Mirzakhanian, E. Tapeti Antichi. n.d., c. 1991,

Misugi, Takatoshi and K. Sasaki: The Encyclopedia of Persian Carpet Patterns ; Tokyo: 1990.

Momtaz, Irene: A Perspective of Unity ; London: (1975?). 9 x 9 Hardback, 65 CP (3 of textiles).

Nural, A. Engin: Turkish Handwoven Carpets ; Izmir: 1990. 9 x 13, Turkish dealers catalog of mostly modern Anatolian rugs and carpets. English - German text., 131 CP.

Musee de l'Homme: Iran, Hommes du Vent, Gens de Terre ; Paris: 1971. 8 x 10.5, 4 b/w of rugs.

Mookerjee, Ajit. Indian Primitive Art. Oxford Book and Stationary, Calcutta.

I have a weakness for older obscure Indian art books. This is one of them. The pictures are black & white but Mookerjee does a nice job of making it interesting reading.

Moore, J. B. The Navajo. 1986,

Moorey, P.R.S. et al.: Ancient Bronzes, Ceramics and Seals ; Los Angeles: 1981. 9 x 10, Museum exhibition catalog of ancient Near Eastern & central Asiatic art. The Nasli M. Heeramaneck collection., 16 CP 364 b/w.

Moortgat, Anton: The Art of Ancient Mesopotamia ; London: 1967. 8.5 x 9.5, 356 b/w 26 figures.

Morehouse, Brian. Yastiks-Cushion Covers and Storage Bags of Anatolia. Philadelphia: 1996. 8 x 12, Exhibition catalog from 8th ICOC., 144 CP.

Morehouse has written the definitive book on Yastiks. If you are a Yastik collector than this is the book to have. Good color pictures and enough material to see various types in an array that represents changes over time. An excellent tool for allowing collectors to assess their own collection.

Morgan, David. The Mongols. Cambridge and Oxford U.K.: Blackwell, 1986.

Morgan gives us a delightful book on the Mongols. There is an important tie back to rugs in this book. When Morgan discusses the Qaraunas he links them to the Nicudari. Now of course when you read the Baburnama. it becomes clear who the Nicudari. are and what we call them today. So in this way we can piece together their history and origins of a major rug producing group.

Morosova, A. C. et al.: Folk Art of Uzbekistan ; Tashkent: 1979.

Mortensen, I.D. Nomads of Luristan. 1993,

Moschkova, V. G. Die Teppich der Volker Mittelasiens im Spaten XIX und XX Jahrhundert ; Hamburg: 1970.

Moshkova, V. G. edited by George W. O'Bannon: Carpets of the People of Central Asia ; Tucson: 1996.

Moshkova, V. G.: (Gols on Turkoman Rugs) ; Germany: 1948.

Moshkova, Valentina: Kouri Narodov Srednei Azii (Folk Carpets of Central Asia) ; Tashkent: 1970.

Mousavi, S. A. The Hazara of Afghanistan. Surrey U.K.: Curzon Press, 1998.

This is the single best source of information on the Hazara..

Moynihan, Elizabeth B. Paradise as a Garden In Persia and Mughal India. New York: George Braziller, Inc., 1979.

This book helped me to understand the nature of Timurid and Mughal court life. You can not understand Timurid and Mughal art without understanding the role of the garden.

Mukanov, M.S. Kazakh Artistic Handicrafts ; Alma Ata: 1979.

Mumford, John K. Chinese Rugs. NY: 1916.

Mumford, John K. Oriental Rugs. Various editions. 4th edition (1923),

This was a very important book in it's day. But that day has passed. I recently had someone disagree with me on an attribution of a new Persian carpet and he used Mumford as a source. The information is just to dated to rely on today and is strictly of historical interest.

Mumford, John K. Oriental Rugs. NY: 1900. 284 pp., (1902),

Munzen & Medaillen. Auction catalogue 46: Aegptische Kunst. Hunzen und Medaillen. 28 April 1972, Basel,

Munsterberg, Hugo. Art of India and Southeast Asia. New York: Harry N. Abrahms, Inc. Publishers, 1970.

Not much on Mughal art but lots of good black and white pictures of early Indian art for back ground. I suppose one may ask of what use is that in a project on Mughal art. By understanding the earlier Indian art when I read that this or that represents something from Hindu mythology I can judge whether that is a valid comment or idle speculation.

Myers, Diana K. and Bean, Susan S., Hugo. From The Land of The Thunder Dragon. Salem and London (UK): Serindia Publications and Peabody Essex Museum, 1994.

This is the book on Bhutanese textiles. Solid and scholarly but also highly entertaining. The pictures quality is outstanding. I learned about the country and the people as well as the textiles.

Myers, Diana K. Temple Household, Horseback: Rugs of the Tibetan Plateau. Washington, D.C.: 1984.

"Mystique of Oriental Rugs" Medford: Oriental Rug Retailers Association, 1988.

A very nice little sales pamphlet geared to the first time rug buyer.

For Further Reading:

Guide to Rugs & Books

La Miniature En Orient

Southwest Asia Time Line

Thanks and best wishes,

J. Barry O'Connell Jr.

Index to my Rug Notes

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z