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The written
exam will cover a basic knowledge of the following:
I.
COUNTRY
–
Country of origin made and
whether a nomadic,
village or workshop production
2.
DESIGN TYPES
-
Example: Pakistani
Bokhara or Turkoman Bokhara
3.
CONSTRUCTION and WEAVE
-
How different types
of
rugs are made: Knot Types,
Density; Warp Materials and Colors; Weft Material; Colors and Numbers of
pile materials, depths, unusual Characteristics; Construction of Ends (kelim,
knotted, fringe, etc.) Description of sides (selvage, overcast material
and color)
4. COLORS and DYES
-
Types: natural, aniline,
synthetic, chrome
5. CONDITION
6. APPROXIMATE
AGE
7. VALUATION
-
Factors for determining (not
actual prices) value.
8. CLEANING
-
Procedures and Materials
9. TERMINOLOGY
-
Know the meaning of such words
as: “abrash”, “dry rot”, “painted”,“Aubusson”, “guI”, etc.
** Check in the
glossaries in the back of the books from the RECOMMENDED READING LIST
for more terminology. **
TEST CONTENT
INFORMATION – SAMPLE QUESTION
Approximately
25% of the test will be “FILL IN THE BLANK” type questions, such as:
What does the word
“MORDANT” mean? __________________________________
Approximately
25% of the test will be “TRUE FALSE” type questions, such as:
T or F Warp threads run horizontally through the rug.
**Approximately
50% of the exam will involve the “PRACTICAL”
-
hands on evaluation of about
40
rugs by: Type,
Country, Approximate Age, and Class (workshop, village, and nomadic)
ex. Bokhara Pakistan
-
Age (within a decade in
20th
century rugs and 25 years
for pre-20th
century
**Actual rugs
will be provided for physical inspection
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We suggest you
practice by filling out an “Appraisal Form” on several different kinds
of rugs to become familiar with what’s involved, if you are not already
used to doing this. Sample forms may be obtained from ORRA
headquarters. Simply call 804-270-3195 or e-mail
orraarnold@verizon.net
We are planning to
have a “Primer Session” during the convention directly before the
test. We will notify you when the time and date are definite.
RECOMMENDED READING LIST
BOOKS
FOR STUDY
- The following are a few
good books to help you prepare for the CRA exam.
1. The
Mystique of Oriental Rugs - ORRA
2. The
Oriental Rug Lexicon by Peter Stone
3. The Persian Carpet by
A. Cecil Edwards
4. The
Oriental Carpet by P. R. Ford
5. Oriental
Rug Repair by Peter Stone
6. Oriental Rug Primer by A. K. Jerrehian
7.
Caucasian Rugs by Ulrich Schurmann
8. Turkomen Tribal Rugs by Werner Loges
9.
Turkomen Studies I by K.
Pinner & M. Frances
10. A New
Comprehensive Guide by Murray Eiland
11. Oriental
Rugs, Volume 1- Caucasian by Ian Bennett
12.
Dictionary of Oriental Rugs by Ivan C. Neff
& Carol
V. Maggs
13. Caucasian Carpets and Coven by John Wertime
and
Richard E. Wright
ORRA’s CRA exam
is traditionally given every year during the July International Rug
Market at AmericasMart in Atlanta, Georgia. ORRA is currently
developing a more comprehensive appraiser’s guide for the CRA and should
have it
in print by
June 2007. Please feel free to contact ORRA Headquarters for more
details.
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