Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryIn contrast to many of the greatest Sultanabads, whose emphasis is on the monumental effect of large sweeping forms, this  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryIn contrast to many of the greatest Sultanabads, whose emphasis is on the monumental effect of large sweeping forms, this extraordinary example relies on exquisite detail and finesse of drawing. The mina khani, a fine trellis of richly colored palmettes and small flowers, sprawls across the deep blue field, pulsating with alternating rhythms in contrasting reds, blues, greens, yellows, and ivories. The grand yet lacelike effect of the field picks up again in the red-ground border, set off not only by its color, but also by thin, finely detailed guard borders. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 16 ft 02 in x 26 ft 11 in (4.93 m x 8.20 m)   « Less

Framed by multiple sets of detailed guardbands and prominent borders filled with elaborate rosettes and sweeping saz-leaf motifs, this stunning carpet from Agra features a  More »

Framed by multiple sets of detailed guardbands and prominent borders filled with elaborate rosettes and sweeping saz-leaf motifs, this stunning carpet from Agra features a highly-desirable burgundy field woven with luminous pile. The field is decorated with a repeating combination of trailing floral sprays and undulating branches that emerge from medallions and decorative vases. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 8. ft 09 in x 11 ft 07 in (2.67 m x 3.53 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, late nineteenth centuryKermans like this are among the most elegant antique Persian carpets designed in the classical Safavid tradition of the  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, late nineteenth centuryKermans like this are among the most elegant antique Persian carpets designed in the classical Safavid tradition of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Here the field consists of a complex pattern of quatrefoil and shield-like cartouches filled with delicate arabesque vinescroll and leafy sprays, all reminiscent of William Morris wallpaper and textile designs. A sumptuous border of leafy palmettes and vines frames the field, accompanied by smaller vinescroll minor borders. A predominantly golden coloration is applied throughout the piece, unifying it visually and imparting a wonderful decorative potential to the entire composition, while the velvety and luminous wool adds the final touch of elegance. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 15 ft 07 in x 27 ft 04 in (4.75 m x 8.33 m)   « Less

Antique Persian Kerman rug, circa 1900 This grand, palatial Kerman is one of the best of its kind. A monumental indented medallion with large finials spreads star-like into  More »

Antique Persian Kerman rug, circa 1900 This grand, palatial Kerman is one of the best of its kind. A monumental indented medallion with large finials spreads star-like into the soft salmon-terracotta field, empty except for a few crowns and birds. Delicate blue-ground cornerpieces frame the medallion, enclosed in turn by a series of fine borders filled with tiny flowers. The great size of the carpet is nicely balanced by the minuscule detail of the decor and the openness of the composition. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 17 ft x 27 ft 06 in (5.18 m x 8.38 m)   « Less

Interlocking patterns of elegant cartouched latticework, which can be broken down into a quatrefoil figure, form an all-over pattern across this spectacular Kerman carpet  More »

Interlocking patterns of elegant cartouched latticework, which can be broken down into a quatrefoil figure, form an all-over pattern across this spectacular Kerman carpet while wide camel-colored borders and multiple guardbands decorated with floral motifs round off this exceptionally-elegant carpet. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 8. ft 07 in x 11 ft 07 in (2.62 m x 3.53 m)   « Less

Antique Kashan, Persia, early twentieth century - Looking very much like an early Art Deco carpet from China, this elegant Persian Kashan has an allover design of ivory  More »

Antique Kashan, Persia, early twentieth century - Looking very much like an early Art Deco carpet from China, this elegant Persian Kashan has an allover design of ivory rosettes set against midnight blue field. A simple sea foam border frames the field, surround by another midnight blue guard stripe. The lustrous silky wool beautifully enhances the open graphic simplicity of the design, as does the plush, rich pile. Style: Kashan Origin: Persia Size: 16 ft 08 in x 27 ft 10 in (5.08 m x 8.48 m)   « Less

Antique Hooked Carpet, United States, circa 1900While antique American hooked rugs and carpets are famed for their homey charm as a folk art genre, this extraordinary example  More »

Antique Hooked Carpet, United States, circa 1900While antique American hooked rugs and carpets are famed for their homey charm as a folk art genre, this extraordinary example competes with the sophisticated elegance of French Aubusson and Savonnerie carpets. A cameo medallion on soft tan surrounded by Neo-classical acanthus vinescrolls is enclosed yet again by a subtle diamond lattice on slightly darker tan. An acanthus vinescroll border with scalloped corners on a pale cocoa ground frames the field as if it were a painting. Much of the decorative beauty of this carpet resides in the lustrous velvety quality of the wool and in the sparing effect of pastel reds and greens amidst the varied shades of tan. Style: Hooked Origin: America Size: 14 ft 10 in x 29 ft 05 in (4.52 m x 8.97 m)   « Less

Antique Ningshia, China, late nineteenth centurySprays of rich raspberry lotus flowers on deep green leafy stems repeat symmetrically across the deep ochre field of this  More »

Antique Ningshia, China, late nineteenth centurySprays of rich raspberry lotus flowers on deep green leafy stems repeat symmetrically across the deep ochre field of this sumptuous antique Ningshia from imperial China. At the center the design opens up a bit, allowing for a small, subtle openwork medallion. The elements of the field design are modified somewhat in the main border, where they appear as a dragon-like vinescroll in cloudband formation, but set against a cool grayish tan ground that provides a lovely contrast to the field. Minor vinescroll borders on a lighter tan ground enhance the framing effect of the border for the entire carpet. Style: Chinese Origin: China Size: 18 ft 06 in x 31 ft 06 in (5.64 m x 9.60 m)   « Less

Antique Sarouk-Farahan, Persia, late nineteenth century. Antique Sarouk Farahan’s like this are renowned for their use of refined classical Persian designs combined  More »

Antique Sarouk-Farahan, Persia, late nineteenth century. Antique Sarouk Farahan’s like this are renowned for their use of refined classical Persian designs combined with a freer, more spontaneous drawing characteristic of tribal or village rug weaving. A multi-lobed medallion in yellow and blue hovers at the center of the field, surrounded by sprays of flowering vines. Cornerpieces like the medallion round out the design, enclosed yet again by a delicate vinescroll border on a blue ground. The saturated color of this carpet is extraordinary, even among Farahans. It provides the perfect complement to the dynamic finesse of the design. Style: Sarouk Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 03 in x 11 ft 07 in (3.12 m x 3.53 m)   « Less

Ivory, sienna and multiple shades of Persian blue decorate the exceptionally dark and dominant background of this Bibikabad carpet. Multiple guardbands and main borders  More »

Ivory, sienna and multiple shades of Persian blue decorate the exceptionally dark and dominant background of this Bibikabad carpet. Multiple guardbands and main borders filled with palmette and rosette motifs over a sienna ground frame the bold quatrefoil latticework pattern, which is defined by split-leaf borders and stylized palmettes. Style: Bibikabad Origin: Persia Size: 8. ft 09 in x 11 ft 07 in (2.67 m x 3.53 m)   « Less