During an evening event on Thursday, June 18, Joseph Rudy, of The Butterfly Company, presented a wide variety of brilliantly-colored butterfly specimens at Oscar Isberian’s Kinzie Street Store.

His presentation linked the origins and early development of silk production in Europe – highlighting the historic importance of the tensile strength and flexibility of silk threads to the weaving and production of silk rugs.

Within the decorative arts, the butterfly has the distinction of being the most widely-utilized symbol of hope, bravery, and rebirth. In the Greek language, PSYCHE is the word for Butterfly.

Joseph Rudy’s ability to relate the history and contributions of silk to the production of fine oriental rugs made for a memorable evening at Oscar Isberian Rugs.