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E

Early Period – A term used to distinguish exceptionally old rugs from the general label “antique,” denoting rugs and textiles that are at least eighty years old. The term “early” signifies that early from the early nineteenth century or before, what is regarded by collectors as a “pre-commercial” period. 

Ersari  -  A Turkoman rug producing tribe known for its bold and colorful carpets and trappings.  Ersari weavings are coarse by comparison to other Turkoman rugs, but they have a bold power that makes them stand apart. In the course of the twentieth century their weaving tradition provided the foundation for Afghan tribal rug production. 

F

Farahan - Carpets and rugs produced in the Arak region of west central Iran. Those with a medallion design are called Sarouk- Farahans. Often they come close to the angular drawing of Herizes and Serapis, but a much finer scale appropriate to designs of classical derivation.  

Field  -  The portion of the rug containing the main design components, usually surrounded by one or more framing borders. 

Fostat  -  Also known as “Old Cairo,” Fostat was the site of a rubbish dump for the first few centuries after the foundation of the newer city of Cairo. This dump has produced fragments of some of the earliest known Islamic carpets, which were collected and published by the Swedish scholar C.J. Lamm. 

Foundation – The supporting portion of the rug into which the patterned fibers or yarns are woven.  In pile carpets and soumaks, this consists of the warps and wefts. In tapestry or kilim the foundation is the warps alone.