Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900In place of the sweeping large-scale palmette designs typical of most Sultanabads, this one has a finer pattern of varied rosettes in  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900In place of the sweeping large-scale palmette designs typical of most Sultanabads, this one has a finer pattern of varied rosettes in earth tones and soft blue arranged alternating rows against a soft terracotta ground. The gentler, more rapid rhythms and textures of the field recur in the lovely soft blue border that surrounds the carpet and echoes the blue touches in the field. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 06 in x 15 ft 03 in (3.20 m x 4.65 m)   « Less

Antique Oushak / Ushak Turkey, circa 1900 This sumptuous antique Oushak is exceptional by virtue of its meticulous, elegant drawing. A lovely see-through ogival medallion  More »

Antique Oushak / Ushak Turkey, circa 1900 This sumptuous antique Oushak is exceptional by virtue of its meticulous, elegant drawing. A lovely see-through ogival medallion hovers at the center of the field surrounded by cornerpieces of undulating vines or branches. Cartouches and radial clusters of leaves comprise the border. The overall composition is unified by the consistent, harmonious soft coloration in pale apricot, sands, and soft cocoa. Style: Oushak / Ushak Origin: Turkey Size: 12 ft 07 in x 15 ft 03 in (3.84 m x 4.65 m)   « Less

Antique American Hooked Rug, late nineteenth centuryA delicate and well-spaced pattern of pointed rosettes in staggered rows repeats against the pale tan ground of this  More »

Antique American Hooked Rug, late nineteenth centuryA delicate and well-spaced pattern of pointed rosettes in staggered rows repeats against the pale tan ground of this exceptional antique American hooked rug. A series of thin stripes comprise the simple border system. The elegant design is unusual within the more homey repertory of hooked rugs. It relates more to American applique quilts, although the elegant drawing is also reminiscent of French Aubusson tapestry rugs. Style: Hooked Origin: America Size: 11 ft 10 in x 15 ft 04 in (3.61 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Ningshia, China, late nineteenth centuryThis lovely antique Ninghsia epitomizes the consummate elegance and restraint of classic Chinese rug design. At the  More »

Antique Ningshia, China, late nineteenth centuryThis lovely antique Ninghsia epitomizes the consummate elegance and restraint of classic Chinese rug design. At the center and openwork medallion floats gracefully amidst sprays of flowering branches on a pale tan ground. The entire composition treads the fine line between ornament and figural representation. The inner medallion itself is a scene of sorts, while the life-like branches of the field are arranged in a balanced array, but not symmetrically as a design. It is only in the precisely drawn meander and vinescroll borders that we return to the world of ornamental pattern, which provides a perfect contrast to the organic realism of the field. Style: Chinese Origin: China Size: 14 ft 08 in x 15 ft 04 in (4.47 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Ghiordes, Turkey, circa 1900 - The bold, exciting, and spontaneous allover pattern of vines and palmettes on this extraordinary antique Ghiordes reflects the style of  More »

Antique Ghiordes, Turkey, circa 1900 - The bold, exciting, and spontaneous allover pattern of vines and palmettes on this extraordinary antique Ghiordes reflects the style of the Turkish carpets produced in nearby Oushak, although the detail and composition ultimately reflect classical Caucasian carpets as well. But while the various vines and palmettes are arranged in a drop repeat design reminiscent of classical blossom and ‘Dragon’ rugs, much of the detail is improvised and asymmetrical, and it is this that so animates the composition. The S-dragon vinescroll border is quite striking, and its terracotta ground provides the right contrast or framing effect for the field. The rest of the palette with its tans and mauves is cool and decorative like the best Oushaks. Style: Giordes Origin: Turkey Size: 11 ft 06 in x 15 ft 04 in (3.51 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth century On this opulent antique Kerman a diminutive quatrefoil medallion filled with palmettes, leaves, and birds and crowned by  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth century On this opulent antique Kerman a diminutive quatrefoil medallion filled with palmettes, leaves, and birds and crowned by cartouche finials sits amidst a welter of writhing vines and flowers. The coloration is soft, mostly shades of tan, with sparing use of navy blue, brown, and aubergine for accents. A monumental main border of palmette vinescrolls utilizes a scale greater than that of the field to achieve a design contrast while still maintaining the same soft coloration. By doing so it achieves a perfect balance between classical Persian design tradition and decorative function. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 05 in x 15 ft 04 in (3.78 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900A richly detailed star medallion in soft magenta hovers on an ivory-champagne field in this graceful antique Kerman. What  More »

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900A richly detailed star medallion in soft magenta hovers on an ivory-champagne field in this graceful antique Kerman. What appears at first to be cornerpieces turn out to be the edges of arches opposing the medallion above and below, connected by fluted columns wrapped with vines at the sides of the field. This covert architecture is surrounded by a garland border on an ivory ground, set off effectively from the field by darker guard stripes. The savvy use of open space in the field imparts a quiescent poise to the dynamic richness of the entire composition. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 01 in x 15 ft 05 in (3.07 m x 4.70 m)   « Less

Antique Khorassan Carpet, Persia, circa 1900 - This classic Persian design has remained for centuries. Elegant execution dominates the field with a contrasting border in  More »

Antique Khorassan Carpet, Persia, circa 1900 - This classic Persian design has remained for centuries. Elegant execution dominates the field with a contrasting border in softer hues of camel, browns and blues. Style: Khorassan Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 03 in x 15 ft 06 in (3.43 m x 4.72 m)   « Less

Antique Savonnerie carpet, early twentieth century Small clusters of flowers in reds, blues, greens, and lavender, float gaily across the tan ground of this lovely antique  More »

Antique Savonnerie carpet, early twentieth century Small clusters of flowers in reds, blues, greens, and lavender, float gaily across the tan ground of this lovely antique Savonnerie. At first their arrangement seems random, but a closer look reveals the subtle symmetrical repetitions governing their layout. A simple narrow 'ladder' border encloses the field, nicely corresponding to the scale and minute repetition of its design. Style: Chenille Origin: Europe Size: 13 ft 04 in x 15 ft 06 in (4.06 m x 4.72 m)   « Less

Antique Indian, Late 19th Century - While the weave of this elegant antique carpet discloses its Indian origin, the design of naturalistic roses clusters in staggered array  More »

Antique Indian, Late 19th Century - While the weave of this elegant antique carpet discloses its Indian origin, the design of naturalistic roses clusters in staggered array comes from European carpet design, as does the incredibly soft pastel coloration. The border adapts the field design into linear repetition and reduces its scale, cleverly achieving variation and uniformity at the same time. The lustrous, silky sheen of the pile effectively complements the scintillating delicacy of the design. Style: Shahsavan / Shahsevan Origin: India Size: 13 ft 09 in x 15 ft 06 in (4.19 m x 4.72 m)   « Less