ORIENTAL RUG ZINE My Most Unforgettable Rug by Miles Mazzie My name is Miles Mazzie. I have spent a significant part of the last twenty five years looking at, and admiring antique Oriental rugs. This is significant because  what I am writing about is not only a weaving from our family collection, but just as importantly, the experience of growing up with these unique works of art. The rug which is most meaningful to me, the "most incredible rug" was purchased twenty five years ago from Emmett Eiland while he occupied his original gallery space on Solano Avenue in  Berkeley.  I was five years old at the time, but I still remember the evening very clearly. The rug which is a small Afshar was hung high up on the rear wall of the gallery, beyond reach, but still very tactile. We purchased the rug that evening which I believe was the opening night of the gallery, and in so doing began our journey down this wonderful and  sometimes wild world of collecting. The rug is significant not because it is the most valuable or most desirable rug in our collection, rather it is significant because of what it means to our family. Click to magnify The rug is small, a little over three feet square and the largest element in the field is a dark blue diamond form. Within this form there floats a smaller diamond, contained and moving on this dark blue field. To me this has always represented ideas of home and community, one could suggest a mother and child.  The overall coloration of the rug is very warm and comforting, earth tones dominate. To me this is what collecting and enjoying rugs is about. They move you on a variety of levels, and for many reasons.  The emotions of the weaver are communicated and the spirit in which they were created is palpable.  They are works of art. This little Afshar which is pictured in Murray Eiland's second book  continues to inspire us as a family, as a community each time we see it. Contained within it are universal ideals, applicable to us all. Click to magnify A personal note from the Editor- I fondly remember the rug Miles writes about. It was one that I hated to part with, though its sale,  along with a few others that evening, helped pay for the opening of my first store as a sole proprietor. And I remember Miles, a soft-spoken lad who took it all in. I could not be more pleased than to hear  that Miles and his family treasure the little rug as much as I do. Best of all is knowing that the flame has been passed to a new generation. Ed.