At least a dozen important textiles-antique Kashans, Soumaks, Bijars, Kirmans, Sennehs, Qashgais and other rare examples from the private collection of the family that owns Oscar Isberian Rugs in Evanston-will be displayed Thursday through Oct. 31 in an open house commemorating the store`s 70th anniversary.
Refreshments, a classical quartet and a lecture will be part of the opening-night festivities from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday.
The store was founded by Oscar Isberian, who immigrated from Turkish Armenia in 1912. His uncle was Peter Klujian, curator at the now-defunct Grant`s Auction House in Chicago.
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”He helped my grandfather get started,” said Oscar Tatosian, who now runs the store with brother Sarkis.
In 1928 Isberian built the store, 1028 Chicago Ave., with a specially designed three-story drying room for cleaning and drying rugs.
”Just before the Depression hit he had a $100,000 mortgage,” Oscar Tatosian said. ”He scraped and saved, and he made it, selling and cleaning rugs.”
Some of the most special rugs he encountered were not sold but kept in his private collection. ”These are our family heirlooms,” said Tatosian, who thinks the American appreciation for antique Oriental carpets is still in its infancy.
A price of ”$60,000 to $100,000 can still buy the best drop-dead, mouth- hung-open carpet,” he said, and the anniversary display will at least educate customers on what true textile art looks like.
Store hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, call 708-475-0010.