Woven on the western frontier of China, this prayer rug uses the classic recessed mihrab and all-over latticework pattern filled with floral motifs that originates in  More »

Woven on the western frontier of China, this prayer rug uses the classic recessed mihrab and all-over latticework pattern filled with floral motifs that originates in Shirvan. Thousands of miles away, weavers in East Turkestan reproduced the hook and star borders, intricate guard bands, and geometric flowers used by far away cultures in the Caucasus. Style: Dagestan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 3. ft 06 in x 4. ft 04 in (1.07 m x 1.32 m)   « Less

This floral Malayer carpet featuring a small-scale floral latticework pattern is an excellent example of the region’s unique geometric style. Comprised of curling  More »

This floral Malayer carpet featuring a small-scale floral latticework pattern is an excellent example of the region’s unique geometric style. Comprised of curling ram’s horn hooks and Hamadan flowers that resemble crabs or spiders, this alternating all-over pattern forms a series of flowers emerging from a sets of scrolling leaves. Style: Malayer Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 01 in x 4. ft 08 in (0.94 m x 1.42 m)   « Less

Antique Timuri Baluch Main Carpet, Afghanistan, nineteenth centuryA bold design of abstractly rendered palmettes and smaller floral elements sprawls dynamically across the  More »

Antique Timuri Baluch Main Carpet, Afghanistan, nineteenth centuryA bold design of abstractly rendered palmettes and smaller floral elements sprawls dynamically across the deep blue field of this stunning antique Timuri Baluch carpet. Descended from East Persian carpets of the Safavid period, rugs of this type embody the capacity of tribal weavers to adapt sophisticated arabesque and floral patterns from Persian city rugs into a distinctive abstract idiom or artistic vision. The delicacy evident in the double vinescroll border and the detailed articulation of the palmettes of the field discloses an exceptional design sensibility, as does the spare yet effective use of white as an accent amidst the various shades of blue, red, and aubergine. Timuri main carpets of this kind are unlikely to postdate the mid nineteenth century, and given such age, this piece is all the more exceptional for its fine condition. Style: Baluch Origin: Afghanistan Size: 6. ft 07 in x 8. ft 04 in (2.01 m x 2.54 m)   « Less

Antique Serapi Persian Rug, late 19th century - While Serapi carpets are prized for their grand medallion designs, this splendid and unusual example has an allover floral  More »

Antique Serapi Persian Rug, late 19th century - While Serapi carpets are prized for their grand medallion designs, this splendid and unusual example has an allover floral pattern of classical Caucasian or Persian inspiration. Large oval palmettes in ivory and blue are staggered across the field in alternation with diagonal ‘Harshang’ motifs to either side of the central ‘flame palmettes.’ Tiny floral details fill in the remainder of the rich red ground. An interlacing vinescroll or ‘turtle’ main border set on gold frames the field, reinforced by minor vinescroll borders with small clover flowers. The quality of the saturated color is extraordinary even among exceptional Serapis of this kind. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 7. ft 10 in x 8. ft 10 in (2.39 m x 2.69 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Rug, East Turkestan, circa 1900While the weave and coloration of this lovely antique rug disclose its origin as a Khotan from East Turkestan, the design of the  More »

Antique Khotan Rug, East Turkestan, circa 1900While the weave and coloration of this lovely antique rug disclose its origin as a Khotan from East Turkestan, the design of the octagon medallions and the bold spiraled cartouches of the border are derived from Ersari Beshir Turkoman weaving further west. The soft palette of delicate saffron, mauves, blues, and aubergine, however, is classic Khotan. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 5. ft 08 in x 9. ft 03 in (1.73 m x 2.82 m)   « Less

This multi-border Kurdish rug is an excellent example the ethnic group’s sophisticated use of color combined with highly-symbolic tribal motifs traditionally found in  More »

This multi-border Kurdish rug is an excellent example the ethnic group’s sophisticated use of color combined with highly-symbolic tribal motifs traditionally found in Anatolia and the Caucasus. The double medallion comprised of two dramatic bereket fertility symbols features lozenges and the double rams horn motif, which are filled with and surrounded by dragon-and-phoenix emblems and a variety of smaller, but equally important protection symbols, including stepped polygons accented with extremely pure ivory fleece used throughout the borders and carpet field. Style: Kurdish Origin: Persia Size: 4. ft 04 in x 9. ft 03 in (1.32 m x 2.82 m)   « Less

Antique Karabagh, Caucasus, circa 1900 Stepped medallions with finials are enveloped by cornerpieces on the field of this charming antique Karabagh from the Caucasus.  More »

Antique Karabagh, Caucasus, circa 1900 Stepped medallions with finials are enveloped by cornerpieces on the field of this charming antique Karabagh from the Caucasus. Medallions and cornerpieces are filled with a profuse interior design of vines and flowers, but the tone-on-tone coloration makes them recede into the background. Little of the chocolate ground shows through, causing it to appear more like and outline for the medallions. Tiny little animals fill this ground around the lower medallion adding a subtle tribal touch, as does the angular boteh or paisley border. Style: Karabagh Origin: Caucasus Size: 4. ft 07 in x 9. ft 07 in (1.40 m x 2.92 m)   « Less

Antique Serab Long Rug, Persia, late nineteenth century This stately antique Persian carpet has a classic Serab design with crisply drawn medallions on an open camel field.  More »

Antique Serab Long Rug, Persia, late nineteenth century This stately antique Persian carpet has a classic Serab design with crisply drawn medallions on an open camel field. Remarkably, the main or central ivory medallion is placed further toward the lower end of the field, with two red medallions above and one below. To emphasize the deliberateness of this arrangement, the weavers added a second end border at the upper end. The red-ground border consists of repeated rosettes, with flanking camel-ground minor borders in a diamond reciprocal pattern. The beauty of the carpet resides in its adroit contrasts in color and design – rich reds and deep blue-black vs. cool tan and ivory, and complex floral filler detail vs. the general openness of the composition. Style: Serab Origin: Persia Size: 5. ft 09 in x 9. ft 08 in (1.75 m x 2.95 m)   « Less

Style: Kilim Origin: Persia Size: 5. ft 01 in x 10 ft (1.55 m x 3.05 m)

Style: Kilim Origin: Persia Size: 5. ft 01 in x 10 ft (1.55 m x 3.05 m)   « Less

Antique Persian Bakshaish Rug, Late 19th Century This antique Bakshaish runner has a bold design and a vibrant, yet harmonious color palette. The red field has an overall  More »

Antique Persian Bakshaish Rug, Late 19th Century This antique Bakshaish runner has a bold design and a vibrant, yet harmonious color palette. The red field has an overall pattern of geometric floral motifs. The ivory of the innermost border contrasts nicely with the red of the field; next is a reciprocal trefoil border rendered in stunning, deep aubergine and red; the outer border of camel hair is open and simple, with only a few rosettes and square design element. This rug has a truly charming folk art aesthetic. Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 07 in x 10 ft 02 in (1.09 m x 3.10 m)   « Less