Oriental Rugs from Pacific Collections

When plans were made to hold an exhibition from private collections, to accompany the Vlth International Conference on Oriental Carpets, the goal was initially for a modest number of carpets to be furnished by Pacific Coast collectors. Two factors, however, dramatically expanded the scale of the operation. The organizers became aware early in the game that there is a great wealth of world-class material in these collections, and the enormous space available in the hall at Fort Mason imposed virtually no limitation on the number that could be included. The result has been what must be the largest showing in the history of collectible oriental rugs under a single roof, with now slightly upward of three hundred in "Oriental Rugs from Pacific Collections," supplemented by over a hundred from other sources as well. Within this assortment of more than four hundred rugs, there is surely something for every taste. With more than 230 of these rugs in color, the catalogue also takes on a massive quality, allowing readers to experience or reexperience a monumental event in the history of oriental rug exhibits.