This is the online home of David G. Schwartz, who Best carpet ever
If nothing else, today I learned that I’m not the only one with casino carpet as a wall decoration (three guesses about which carpet it is). I got an email from a gentleman whose father manufactured carpets during the 1950s and 1960s. He made this one for an unknown Las Vegas casino, and now it’s hanging on his son’s wall as art.
It’s definitely one of the more charming examples of the genre I’ve seen. Dated, yes; tacky, yes; fun, absolutely yes. I’d like to see more of this, but in a modern interpretation we’d probably get fake Ed Hardy designs galore. That would make the old Trump Plaza carpet look like a work of art. For some reason kitsch for the sake of kitsch is intolerable to me, but absolutely earnest kitsch is fine.
Anyone have any idea where this was from? From the turban and the musical instruments I’d guess the Sahara’s Casbar lounge, but I honestly am stumped.
Posted in what's newon 11/04/2009 03:18 pm by Dave
11/04/2009 at 3:49 pm
That is absolutely sublime. Artwork you can feel (unless he put it behind glass). I hope you identify the establishment. And is he selling any more framed carpet squares? He may have found a little niche market here, and I would enjoy having something similar on my wall.
11/04/2009 at 6:11 pm
I only have a minute left on this computer.
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About this carpet. I have no idea where it came from either. If it isn’t from the Sahara…I can only guess where else this style might have fit in. Perhaps from the 1955 New Frontier’s Venus Room? The ’star-like’ background is the only reason I am guessing that…but I remember that they were big on Space Age imagery.
Otherwise, maybe the Hacienda (or Moulin Rouge)?
It’s definitely interesting to see this. If I had computer access right now, I would open-up an image editing program and find a white-spot in the photo and adjust the color-balance (so as to get a sense of what this carpet might have looked like when it was brand-new). It’s a good design, all-in-all. It has spirit!
11/05/2009 at 3:27 pm
I think EW 1951 might be correct with his Moulin Rouge prediction. The Moulin Rouge opened in 1955 which would fit in the 1950’s and 1960’s range.
I used to drink at a bar occasionally inside the Hacienda Hotel and Casino in 1995 which was my first year living in Las Vegas. Heinekens were $2 so it was a pretty good deal. I asked a security gurd if I could take some pictures of the casino since it was going to close soon (I think they imploded the Hacinda December 31, 2005). He said under no circumstances I could take pictures even though it was closing soon.
The inside of the Hacienda was something out of the 70’s, very tacky but kinda funny in a strange way. Big neon signs in front of the rstaurants and I don’t think they made any changes once the place originally opened which I would assume was sometime in the late 60’s, early 70’s.
11/05/2009 at 8:45 pm
I sent this picture to Mr. Schwartz. My father would be very pleased at the appreciative comments. He ran a Jacquard-type loom at a mill in Philadelphia and produced many special carpets for movie theaters, restaurants and casinos. This was always one of his favorites. He always said it was a Mardi Gras theme design.
It was always kept away from sunlight and I recently had it professionally cleaned. The colors are fairly unchanged and pretty accurate in the photo. It’s about 27″ x 29″.
11/06/2009 at 10:36 am
Hello Ed,
Thanks for showing us this framed section of casino rug. I sure wish I had this hanging on MY wall. It is definitely a priceless piece (though I suppose everything has its price on E-Bay). It’s a festive design and like you say has a Mardi Gras style. I thought it was a rare design by having a human figure in it, instead of just a series of geometric patterns.
I assumed it might have come from the 1955-1966 New Frontier (due to the star background and image of the sun), since that casino had lots of astronomy-style wall hangings (like planet chandelriers, lighting fixtues and wall assorted wall-art done in the (then-popular) biomorphic blob styles of the 1950s ‘outer space style’.
But, because it seemed so festive…I wondered if it might have fit the Hacienda’s style better. My final assumption, regarding the (Afro-American) Moulin Rouge was simple based on the showgirl being colored in black. Perhaps a wild and wrong guess there.
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The rug doesn’t seem to fit into other casino themes or styles…like the 1941 El Rancho, 1942 Last Frontier, 1946 Flamingo, 1950 Desert Inn, or the 1950 Silver Slipper.
It looks like a modern enough design to have fit the 1952 Sands or Sahara though. The design might possibly have fit into the 1955 Riviera in one of its various restaurants or showrooms (but I’m not sure).
The Dunes and the Royal Nevada opened in 1955. Hacienda in 1956 (I think), the Tropicana in 1957, the Stardust in 1958.
(The rug might possibly have fit the Royal Nevada’s style, now that I think of it).
The Sans Souci motel-casino might be a possibility (I think it opened in 1957 or so).
The Sands and the Dunes added and remodeled parts of their properties between 1964-65. Caesars Palace and Aladdin opened in 1966…and the MGM in 1973.
So, those are about the only possible Strip casinos where the rug might have come from.
It’s possible it came from someplace totally different(such as a popular stand-alone nightclub or restaurant or maybe someplace in the Downtown area…though it’s modern design wouldn’t likely fit most of the more Old Western style casinos. Although, the 1957-64 Mint properties and 1956 Fremont Hotel had Modern themes-styles.
Anyone’s guess would be good I suppose. Where ever it came from, it’s a rarity. As far as the colors…since the carpet has been cleaned and has remained out of fading sunlight it is definitely a vibrant piece.
If rugs could talk…I’m sure this one would have a lot to say. Thanks again for showing it to all of us and for providing us with a mystery we wish we could better solve.
11/06/2009 at 10:41 am
By the way. The computer I’m using doesn’t show all of the text of this webpage. I now see that the text says the rug was manufactured for a Las vegas casino…so, my assumptions that it might have come from a ’stand-alone nightclub or restaurant should (of course) be disregarded. :>))
11/08/2009 at 8:43 pm
Moulan Rouge
11/08/2009 at 8:59 pm
the first thing that popped in my head was Moulin Rouge. But Sahara casbah lounge sounds good too. I never thought about hanging it on the wall. I guess since i am in the floor covering biz. i only think about putting carpet on the floor. I could put a border on that and a nice bound edge, and get rid of that wooden frame.