New England Rug Society

The New England Rug Society (NERS) is an informal, non-profit organization of people interested in enriching their knowledge and appreciation of antique oriental rugs and textiles.

NERS members gather six to eight times each year at meetings which usually feature an outside speaker and focus on a particular theme related to the rug field, with an occasional textile topic included for variety. Meetings are held in various locations in the greater Boston area, depending on the subject.

We welcome you to our site. And if you like what you see, we'll be pleased to welcome you as a member as well. On this website, you will find everything you need to apply for membership. http://www.ne-rugsociety.org/#Membership

Event Calendar for the 2012/2013 Season

Sept. 28th - David and Sue Richardson, Qara U'y: The Qaraqalpak Yurt and Its Decoration Two experts on the Qaraqalpak of Central Asia will introduce their semi-nomadic lifestyle and focus on the structural and decorative textiles integral to their dwellings. (First Parish)

Oct. 5th - Jon Thompson, Late Mamluk Carpets What brought about the sudden flowering of Mamluk carpets? This highly regarded carpet scholar will propose that a Mamluk cultural renaissance necessitated new carpet production and the recruitment to Egypt of weavers from Turkmen-ruled Iran and Asia Minor. (ALMA)

Nov. 10th - Saturday, 2:00pm to 4:30pm. Three Collections A Dozen Pieces. NERS members Ed Berkhoff, Lloyd Kannenberg, and Richard Larkin will exhibit pieces from their collections and join in a panel devoted to their thoughts on collecting. (John Collins Gallery, 40R Merrimac St. [Brown's Wharf], Newburyport, MA)

Feb.- DeWitt Mallary, Baluch Rugs This well-known collector will talk about the Baluch and their weavings, bringing pieces from his personal collection to show and discuss.

March - Carl Strock, Exploits in Collecting A journalist and superb racconteur, NERS member Carl will discuss some of his holdings and regale us with his collecting adventures.

April 12th - A Night at the MFA Combining the annual MFA event with the Collector Series, this evening will feature rugs from the Rosalie and Mitch Rudnick collection, some on public exhibition and others specially displayed for the occasion, plus a reception hosted by the MFA.

May - The annual picnic, moth market and show-and-tell session