Antique Donegal Carpet from Ireland, circa 1900 - The border, if one can describe as such, of this extraordinary antique Donegal carpet, consists of shamrock-like palmettes  More »

Antique Donegal Carpet from Ireland, circa 1900 - The border, if one can describe as such, of this extraordinary antique Donegal carpet, consists of shamrock-like palmettes jutting in repetition into the space of the field. More an open work frame than a border, it defies and transcends the traditional notions of carpet design. The field, in contrast is simple, yielding pride of place to the frame, with only a simple pattern of staggered fleurons on a soft green ground. Just as the field is penetrated by the frame, the fame itself in penetrated by small insets at the outer edge. The soft golds and browns in the frame provide a gentle contrast to the green field within this remarkably constrained palette. Style: Donegal Origin: Ireland Size: 10 ft x 12 ft 10 in (3.05 m x 3.91 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAntique Tabriz carpets like this are famed for their fidelity to earlier, classical Persian designs. Here scalloped quatrefoil  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAntique Tabriz carpets like this are famed for their fidelity to earlier, classical Persian designs. Here scalloped quatrefoil medallion in soft blue floats amidst an array of suavely drawn arabesque vinescrolls and palmettes on a cool tan ground. In the main border stylized trees and shrubs repeat in alternation against a soft blue ground, making a an effective framing contrast to the field, while ivory minor borders provide a smooth transition. Few nineteenth-century Persian rugs recall the great masterpieces of the Safavid era so well, especially with a palette so gentle and decorative. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 9. ft 02 in x 12 ft 11 in (2.79 m x 3.94 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Oriental Rug, circa 1900 - This is surely one of the most lovely antique Khotans. An allover pattern of small pom pom medallions and geometric vines in pale  More »

Antique Khotan Oriental Rug, circa 1900 - This is surely one of the most lovely antique Khotans. An allover pattern of small pom pom medallions and geometric vines in pale salmon red on a warm tan ground comprises the field, while an inner border adapts the design and coloration of the field in reverse, achieving a beautifully effective counterpoint. A classic Khotan cloud border encloses the whole composition, providing a more linear, outlined frame for the softer contrasts of the field. tyle: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 6. ft 09 in x 12 ft 11 in (2.06 m x 3.94 m)   « Less

Antique Oushak, Turkey, circa 1900. A complex design of arabesques unfolds in allover symmetry across the field of this supremely elegant antique Oushak. The composition  More »

Antique Oushak, Turkey, circa 1900. A complex design of arabesques unfolds in allover symmetry across the field of this supremely elegant antique Oushak. The composition relies on a gentle counterpoint between the larger split arabesques and the finer vines and flowering branches that link them as a continuous design. A palmette vinescroll border essentially continues the soft, subtle, pastel palette and design texture of the field, separated from it only by the fine linear detail of the flanking minor borders. The delicacy of the color and the ornamental detail is underscored by the soft and lustrous texture of the silky wool pile. Style: Oushak / Ushak Origin: Turkey Size: 10 ft x 12 ft 11 in (3.05 m x 3.94 m)   « Less

Antique Bakshaish Persian Carpet (Bakhshaish or Bakhshaysh), circa 1900 - Antique Bakshaish carpets are prized for their bold central and allover medallion designs. This one  More »

Antique Bakshaish Persian Carpet (Bakhshaish or Bakhshaysh), circa 1900 - Antique Bakshaish carpets are prized for their bold central and allover medallion designs. This one is extremely unusual with its allover pattern of monumental vinescrolls and palmettes of a type more customary on Sultanabads. The forms interlace and overlap creating a dazzling mesh of red, saffron, and soft blue against the sultry ivory ground. The more delicate scale of the vine and rosette border nicely contrasts the field design while echoing its lovely blue ground echoes the coloration of the vines. Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft x 13 ft (3.35 m x 3.96 m)   « Less

Vintage Moroccan, Atlas Mountains, twentieth century. While Moroccan carpets often adapt the designs of other rug producing regions, this stunning example represents the  More »

Vintage Moroccan, Atlas Mountains, twentieth century. While Moroccan carpets often adapt the designs of other rug producing regions, this stunning example represents the authentic folk culture of the North African Berber peoples. The carpet is made in mixed technique, with graphic details in yellow and white pile set against a flatwoven purple ground. Here the pile is used to articulate a grand sweeping free-form design of zig-zags, lines, and tiny circles that almost appears as an arcane form of script or writing. Rarely do we encounter a work so genuinely primitive and evocative, or one so stunningly modern in its expressive abstraction. Style: Region Specific Origin: Morocco Size: 6. ft x 13 ft (1.83 m x 3.96 m)   « Less

A soothing design of rounded angles and thick, black lines. This neutrally-colored rug adds charm and appeal to any room in your home. The rhombus shapes resemble the scales  More »

A soothing design of rounded angles and thick, black lines. This neutrally-colored rug adds charm and appeal to any room in your home. The rhombus shapes resemble the scales of the Gaboon Viper. A beautiful and organic piece that will fit well with most colors and types of furniture. Style: Region Specific Origin: Morocco Size: 6. ft x 13 ft (1.83 m x 3.96 m)   « Less

Antique Khorassan, Persia, early twentieth centuryA dazzlingly complex design of sinuous vinescrolls and palmettes scrolls its way across the soft saffron field of this  More »

Antique Khorassan, Persia, early twentieth centuryA dazzlingly complex design of sinuous vinescrolls and palmettes scrolls its way across the soft saffron field of this antique Khorassan. The drawing is exceptionally delicate and fine, so that the vine is little more than a wisp. The border adapts these motifs in a bolder, more graphic style that contrasts with the field, like its blue ground color, while also underscoring the finesse of the field. The balance between uniformity and variation here is masterful, making this a first-rate decorative carpet. Style: Khorassan Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft x 13 ft (3.05 m x 3.96 m)   « Less

Antique Irish Rug, c. 1900 Irish carpets hold an important place in the long history of Ireland adaptations of oriental rugs. This one is remarkable in its emulation of  More »

Antique Irish Rug, c. 1900 Irish carpets hold an important place in the long history of Ireland adaptations of oriental rugs. This one is remarkable in its emulation of classic Polonaise carpets, a Persian type once thought to have been made in Poland. The medallion design, rich border, and the sinuous, flame-like drawing evokes the qualities of the classic original, but with a soft, buttery palette more reminiscent of Oushak carpets. Eminently decorative and collectible as well, this piece has all the qualities desirable in a fine antique carpet. Style: Donegal Origin: Ireland Size: 10 ft 01 in x 13 ft (3.07 m x 3.96 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA jewel-like allover design of interlacing vines and palmettes burgeons forth across the soft red field of this peerless  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA jewel-like allover design of interlacing vines and palmettes burgeons forth across the soft red field of this peerless antique Sultanabad. Although they appear to be a single continuous pattern, a closer look reveals that the vines are really separate vertical columns or trees arranged in a staggered repeat, A similar pattern is adapted as vinescroll border, set against a soft blue ground to provide a pleasing frame or contrast for the field. While Sultanabads are generally known for their grand, large-scale rendering of such designs, the delicacy and finesse of this example are exceptional. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft x 13 ft (3.05 m x 3.96 m)   « Less