February, 2002 Volume 4.2
Feb. 26th
Philadelphia Oriental Rug Society
6:30PM evening at J.M.
SORKIN
The
rug weaving traditions of the Maghreb (North Africa) remain relatively
unexplored by Oriental rug aficionados. Both the broader consumer market of
Oriental rugs, as well as the smaller collector market, have until recently,
paid scant attention to North African rugs. It is only within the last decade
that the region’s rugs are being recognized and researched and even these
efforts are limited to a small number of “explorers”.
Jerry
Sorkin has been a longtime collector and dealer of Oriental rugs and has
included North Africa as an area of personal interest since his first visit to
the Maghreb in 1971. He has subsequently made over thirty visits to Tunisia and
Morocco. As one of the organizers of the 1996 ICOC in Philadelphia, Jerry
helped in the development of the North African exhibit. He is a frequent
visitor to Tunisia and in September of 2001, attended the ICOC conference in
Marrakesh on North African textiles. Conversant in Arabic and having
specialized in the Middle East and North Africa while an undergraduate at Penn,
Jerry brings an added perspective to understanding the cultures of the region.
Tonight, he shares some of his enthusiasm for this relatively unexplored area
of rugs.
A
light Middle Eastern/North African dinner will be served, courtesy of J.M.
Sorkin. To reserve your space, and give us an idea of how much food will be
needed, please call George Trotman (215-985-0889) by February 22nd.
Thank you.
DIRECTIONS: From the
intersections of The Schuykill Expressway and the Blue Route (476). Take 476
South one exit to Exit 13. (sign says: Villanova/St. Davids). At the traffic
light at the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left (west) onto Lancaster Avenue
(Route 30). Go 1.5 miles and J.M. SORKIN will be on your right. Parking is
available on the street and in J.M. Sorkin’s lot immediately behind the store.
BY TRAIN: Take the R5/Paoli line going west to the
Wayne station. Less than a 5 minutes walk from the station.
Remember to
check PORS Website for last minute changes updates, etc. http://www.geocities.com/jbulyk
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
As
we approach our third anniversary I am quite pleased with our continuing
success in presenting an interesting and informative series of events. Our
third year's sessions beginning last March 20th included: Mark Hopkin's Good
Rug?-Great Rug? presentation. Anton Felton's presentation on Jewish carpets.
Our Show and Tell with Mary Jo Otsea. PORS' tour of Winterthur. Dennis Dodd's
lecture unmasking the Lesghi Star pattern, Bob Mann's recent talk on rug
cleaning and restomtion and Jerry Sorkin's forthcoming presentation on Northern
African rug weaving traditions.
I
am also pleased with our membership level as well as our financial status. PORS
membership has remained in the mid 80' s for the past two years with typical
event attendance in the mid 30's. This level has been a convenient size for
which to find presentation sites. Financially our pre renewals balance is
$2044. Typical costs have included honorariums and travel costs for speakers,
audio/visual rentals, costs for sites, newsletter costs and reduced tour costs
for PORS members.
Areas
in which we need further involvement
and action include an individual taking on the responsibility for audio/visual
equipment as well as our development of a set of PORS bylaws which formalize
the various organizational elements of the Philadelphia Oriental Rug Society
including. objectives, membership, officers and their election. committees.
meetings, and dues.
I
am quite comfortable with our current objective statement " to promote
greater knowledge. appreciation and enjoyment of hand knotted rugs",
Nevertheless the Steering Committee needs additional inputs from individual
members regarding specific areas of interest for which we might schedule a PORS
event. Subsequent to Jerry Sorkin's talk we are working on a possible presentation
by Peter Pap at the Philadelphia Antique Show in early April.
A
3rd ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION is the next event which is in the works. In
addition to toasting and roasting, this event, for members only, should include
an election of officers, sharing ideas for future PORS direction and events,
and development of bylaws.
THANK YOU STEERING COMMITEE
Our successes through our first three years are the result of the untiring efforts of our
Steering Committee: Henry
and Naomi Klein. Jean Adelman, Shirley Swaab, with extra special thanks to
Membership Chairman, Samy Rabinovic, Secretary Pat Suplee, and Treasurer Aron
Fisher. We also should not forget a thank you to Parviz Yathrebi for his
efforts in the founding of The Ph;ladelphia Oriental Rug Society.
ACOR
6
At last
count there were a few places available to register for A.C.O.R. 6 (American
Conference on Oriental Rugs) in Indianapolis, IN, April 25-28, 2002. If you are interested, please see Samy
Rabinovic for details.
Renew Your Membership. NOW!!!!!!!
Please
check the date on your newsletter label.
If the date is 2001, we have not received your renewal form. If you have not renewed, the March
newsletter will be your last one. Don’t
miss out on a fantastic program for 2002.
Renew today. Send $35 (individual) and $55 (couple). Many thanks for
those of you who have renewed. Make your checks payable to: Aron Fisher, Treas.
And mail to: Samy Rabinovic, P.O. Box 187, Newtown, PA 18940