The Hajji Baba Club is the oldest rug society in the US, boasting members from some of New York City’s historical elite. But the club has evolved in recent years to attract the next generation of rug and textile enthusiasts. Under the helm of President Roger Pratt, the club is organizing a variety of new educational events, museum collaborations and projects designed to inspire collectors from a broad demographic profile.

The unshaven man stood on a boulder looking up at the cave ceiling. The women’s name was Gryt and his name Grunt. He listened to her instructions, for they were husband and wife. As he was married, he did nothing right. He kept dropping his bearskin loincloth to his knees as he lifted his arms to draw and pulling them up; she scolded him for not wearing his belt. She saw the full moon. In the distance, wolves wailed and she laughed. He kept reaching toward the top the cave and making pictures. Together, they decorated the vault and marked the rock face with charcoal that she had just pulled out of the fire. Adding some color from a red rock that man later learned was iron, he scraped a blue rock that had copper in it and made a third color. He stepped back pleased as deer appeared on the walls of his home. Gryt smiled and Grunt went to bed.