Antique Indian, early twentieth century Sprays of vines unfold in allover symmetry in shades of tan and gold across a soft blue ground on this lush antique Indian carpet. The  More »

Antique Indian, early twentieth century Sprays of vines unfold in allover symmetry in shades of tan and gold across a soft blue ground on this lush antique Indian carpet. The design is so closely worked that the blue ground barely shows through amidst the vines, but it does so just enough to produce a grid effect across the surface. The vines themselves are richly embellished with the forms of various animals in the manner of classical Persian and Indian carpets - deer, gazelles, etc. and the figures of lions and leopards that pounce upon them. The border has a classic cloudband design enriched with flowers and vines. Size: 10 ft 09 in x 22 ft 05 in (3.28 m x 6.83 m)   « Less

Antique Bakhshaish, Persia, late nineteenth century While the medallion design and palette of this carpet are classic Heriz, the weave shows that it b At the center a deep  More »

Antique Bakhshaish, Persia, late nineteenth century While the medallion design and palette of this carpet are classic Heriz, the weave shows that it b At the center a deep blue medallion with an ivory core hovers amidst ivory and red cornerpieces, while stylized branches of vines and palmettes fill the intervening red field. A serrated leaf and rosette vinescroll border is framed by multiple minor borders with simpler boteh vinescrolls. Here we may detect the taste of Bakhshaish weavers as well. A Heriz would have had a larger main border and less minor ones. But the smaller scale and detail of the border system offers an effective contrast to the monumentality of the field design. Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 08 in x 17 ft 08 in (3.86 m x 5.38 m)   « Less

Featuring an all-over medallion-based arabesque with intricately detailed elements, this striking Kerman carpet is a classic example of the region’s unique floral  More »

Featuring an all-over medallion-based arabesque with intricately detailed elements, this striking Kerman carpet is a classic example of the region’s unique floral carpets that have been prized for their beauty and fine craftsmanship since the times of Marco Polo. On one edge of the carpet border, there is a signature cartouche showing the carpet’s origin in the artisan carpet weaving studios of Kerman, which were among the best in Safavid Persia. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 06 in x 17 ft 09 in (3.51 m x 5.41 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth centuryA subtly articulated medallion pattern unfolds gracefully across the field of this sumptuous antique Kerman, inspired by French  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth centuryA subtly articulated medallion pattern unfolds gracefully across the field of this sumptuous antique Kerman, inspired by French Aubusson and Savonnerie carpets. The medallion itself occupies the center, rendered in an openwork mesh of flowering vines. A similar viney mesh surrounds the medallion as an oval corolla, enclosed yet again by surrounding cornerpieces of the same configuration. A narrow, unassuming vinescroll border frames the field, virtually merging into the cornerpieces. The soft palette of pale aubergine on soft golden tan is luminous, accented of course by the thick, lustrous Kerman pile. Size: 11 ft 09 in x 22 ft 05 in (3.58 m x 6.83 m)   « Less

Antique Aubusson, France, late nineteenth centuryAn allover design of rose stems repeats across the ivory field of this supremely elegant antique Aubusson. The field itself  More »

Antique Aubusson, France, late nineteenth centuryAn allover design of rose stems repeats across the ivory field of this supremely elegant antique Aubusson. The field itself is circumscribed by an enclosing cartouche, embellished further by a lattice and more rose stems. A magnificent undulating ivory border of delicate rococo scrolls and rose garlands frames the field, enclosed finally by a rich salmon edge-ground making the transition to the rectangular form of the carpet. Size: 11 ft 05 in x 23 ft 06 in (3.48 m x 7.16 m)   « Less

Antique Bakshaish, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAlthough the various motifs and the drawing of this outstanding carpet come from the repertoire of the Heriz family of  More »

Antique Bakshaish, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAlthough the various motifs and the drawing of this outstanding carpet come from the repertoire of the Heriz family of Northwest Persian rugs, the weave, the layout of the design, and the gorgeous palette of autumnal colors combined with green and ivory all show that it is a Bahshaish from the neighboring region. Bakshaishes are unique in utilizing allover floral designs of small-scale village or tribal type to create room-sized pieces. Here the result is rather unusual, with various ‘flame’ palmettes, some surrounded by curling ‘sickle’ leaves, simply repeated symmetrically, alternating with oblong ivory cartouches, instead of being strung together as a unified centralized design. The interlacing vinescroll border is especially well done, set so effectively against a deep navy ground to contrast with the warmer palette of the field. Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 08 in x 18 ft 01 in (3.56 m x 5.51 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryA rich allover pattern of interlocked swaying, serrated leaves and circular palmettes unfolds in perfect symmetry across the field  More »

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryA rich allover pattern of interlocked swaying, serrated leaves and circular palmettes unfolds in perfect symmetry across the field of this splendid antique Agra. Lush shrubs arranged in series make up the border. While the various elements of the design come from the Classic Mughal Indian rug weaving tradition, the allover configuration s more Persian. The tone-on-tone palette also departs from Mughal precedent and renders the complexity of the pattern more subtle and suitable for contemporary decorative design. Size: 12 ft x 23 ft 08 in (3.66 m x 7.21 m)   « Less

Antique Meshad, Persia, circa 1900Fine spiraling vines replete with palmettes and a host of tiny flowers spew forth from a central leafy rosette on this classically elegant  More »

Antique Meshad, Persia, circa 1900Fine spiraling vines replete with palmettes and a host of tiny flowers spew forth from a central leafy rosette on this classically elegant antique Meshad. The drawing is expert in its delicate precision, but yet grand in its large-scale, looming sweep. The highly decorative palette of soft blues, mauves, and ivory with sparing use of aubergine for accent provides the color equivalent of the delicate drawing. The main border adapts the palette and design elements of the field to a running format, with light blue-ground minor borders to subtly reinforce its framing function. The luminous pile reaffirms luxuriant elegance of the design. Size: 9. ft 02 in x 23 ft 09 in (2.79 m x 7.24 m)   « Less

Late 19th century Tabriz Haji Jalili - The Haji Jalili workshop is world renowned for producing the finest pieces in Persia. This rug’s grand sweeping palmette design  More »

Late 19th century Tabriz Haji Jalili - The Haji Jalili workshop is world renowned for producing the finest pieces in Persia. This rug’s grand sweeping palmette design recalls the great Persian court carpets of the seventeenth century Safavid dynasty. With its extremely fine weave, lavish all over large scale design, ivory background and soft coloration this piece is not only a great decorative item but a truly magnificent work of art. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 08 in x 18 ft 02 in (3.86 m x 5.54 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, circa 1900An allover Mina Khani or trellis design of slender, angular arabesques repeats rhythmically across the soft terracotta field of this lovely  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, circa 1900An allover Mina Khani or trellis design of slender, angular arabesques repeats rhythmically across the soft terracotta field of this lovely antique Tabriz. The particular configuration of the forms produces a series of sideways figure-eights which define in turn a latent or subtle reciprocal pattern of stars. Tiny floral, motifs fill and embellish the intervening areas of the red ground. The border of radiating star palmettes is unusual, and here the use of a sea green ground creates an appropriate framing contrast to the field, accented further by ivory-ground minor borders. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 13 ft 02 in x 18 ft 03 in (4.01 m x 5.56 m)   « Less