Antique Agra, India, circa 1900 A finely detailed Persian ‘Herati’ or ‘Mahi Mahi’ design unfolds with minute precision in allover symmetry across  More »

Antique Agra, India, circa 1900 A finely detailed Persian ‘Herati’ or ‘Mahi Mahi’ design unfolds with minute precision in allover symmetry across the field of this sumptuous antique Agra. The finesse of the drawing is matched by the subtlety of the soft, ton-on-tone coloration, which makes the complexity of the patterning recede from the viewer’s attention. An elaborate vinescroll palmette main border encloses the field, although with a greater light on-dark-graphic contrast to produce a nice framing effect. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 11 ft 09 in x 14 ft 06 in (3.58 m x 4.42 m)   « Less

Antique Donegal Carpet from Ireland, early 20th century - Antique Donegal carpets of Ireland are known for their traditional Celtic designs and for adaptations of Oriental  More »

Antique Donegal Carpet from Ireland, early 20th century - Antique Donegal carpets of Ireland are known for their traditional Celtic designs and for adaptations of Oriental rugs as well. This example is more unusual, reflecting what was then the cutting-edge movement of European decorative arts - Art Nouveau. The rich, dramatic border displays the classic water lily or jellyfish design in this style with its sinuous interlacing, plant and animal forms evoking the gentle pulse of natural life. The border with its shades of rich lavender, pale pink, apricot and magenta provides a window-like frame for the open soft green field, whose variegated tones suggest deep, mystic space. Style: Donegal Origin: Ireland Size: 10 ft x 14 ft 06 in (3.05 m x 4.42 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA classical Persian medallion design unfolds with perfect elegance across the field of this outstanding antique Tabriz. A soft  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA classical Persian medallion design unfolds with perfect elegance across the field of this outstanding antique Tabriz. A soft red scalloped ogival medallion at the center is surrounded by sprays of flowering vines inhabited by pheasant against a cool navy ground. The undulating cornerpieces have a soft red ground echoing the color and interior detail of the central medallion. Reciprocal trefoil and arabesque vinescrolls continue the design texture and palette of the cornerpieces, nicely anchoring and framing the field. Tabriz carpets like this are famed for their ability to preserve the high standards of the great Persian court carpets of the Safavid era. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft x 14 ft 07 in (3.35 m x 4.45 m)   « Less

Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 10 in x 14 ft 07 in (3.30 m x 4.45 m)

Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 10 in x 14 ft 07 in (3.30 m x 4.45 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, India, circa 1900In the tradition of Persian Malayer carpets a grand stepped medallion and cornerpieces make up the field on this crisply elegant antique Agra.  More »

Antique Agra, India, circa 1900In the tradition of Persian Malayer carpets a grand stepped medallion and cornerpieces make up the field on this crisply elegant antique Agra. A closer look reveals that the finely detailed ‘Herati’ design in the field runs through the medallion and cornerpieces as well, with the latter distinguished primarily by their stepped contours. The sinuous arabesque vinescroll border provides a lovely contrast to the precise geometry of the field, while still retaining the same sandy golden coloration to give the entire design a wonderful decorative unity. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 9. ft 07 in x 14 ft 07 in (2.92 m x 4.45 m)   « Less

Antique Ningsia, China, seventeenth century - More than three hundred years have not dimmed the brilliant design and classic formal elegance of this spectacular antique  More »

Antique Ningsia, China, seventeenth century - More than three hundred years have not dimmed the brilliant design and classic formal elegance of this spectacular antique Ningsia carpet, made in an imperial Chinese workshop. The field displays a honeycomb lattice made up of hexagons comprised in turn by rhombuses with meander fillers. The rich, multi-leveled complexity of the design is nicely offset by the restrained palette of blues and tans, even in the surrounding meander border as well. To western eyes, the masterful field design appears almost three-dimensional, like clusters of cubes seen in perspective. Style: Chinese Origin: China Size: 9. ft 05 in x 14 ft 09 in (2.87 m x 4.50 m)   « Less

Antique Heriz, Persia, late nineteenth century. Heriz carpets like this a famed for the bold, graphic effect of the their design and color, but rarely do they attain the  More »

Antique Heriz, Persia, late nineteenth century. Heriz carpets like this a famed for the bold, graphic effect of the their design and color, but rarely do they attain the almost tribal abstraction and power of this impressive piece. At the center of the soft rust field, a jutting medallion in ivory and navy blue with serrated corners hovers with a striking presence, surrounded by a floating network of stylized vines and flowers. Ivory cornerpieces with similar abstract viney detail round out the field, enclosed in turn by a navy-ground ‘turtle’ vinescroll border. Additional minor borders with diamonds and squares reminiscent of jeweled metalwork continue the contrast in design and scale of the border system, reinforce its framing effect against the grander patterns of the field. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 07 in x 14 ft 09 in (3.23 m x 4.50 m)   « Less

Antique Kashan, Persia, circa 1900On this magnificent antique Kashan a stepped and scalloped ogival medallion in red and ivory nestles within a lush tangle of vines and  More »

Antique Kashan, Persia, circa 1900On this magnificent antique Kashan a stepped and scalloped ogival medallion in red and ivory nestles within a lush tangle of vines and flowers on a deep navy ground. In the four corners spandrels articulated in the form and palette of the medallion round out the field design. A red ground vinescroll border combines visually with the cornerpieces to produce a larger, complex frame for the field in classic Persian tradition. Here as in all great Kashans, the delicate beauty of the design relies of t he fine precision of the weave and the drawing. Style: Kashan Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 04 in x 14 ft 10 in (3.15 m x 4.52 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, 1910s - This sumptuous antique Tabriz recalls the great Persian court carpets of the seventeenth century with its lavish all over design of  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, 1910s - This sumptuous antique Tabriz recalls the great Persian court carpets of the seventeenth century with its lavish all over design of vinescrolls and palmettes, surrounded by a lush vinescroll border as well. But the delicate range of colors in cinnamons and pale, watery blues is very different from the vibrant palette of the classical forerunners. Instead, its reserved sensibility has considerable decorative flexibility, adapting the grace and elegance of classic Persian carpets to more modern possibilities. The lustrous wool of the pile sets off the beauty of the design to great effect. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 09 in x 15 ft (3.58 m x 4.57 m)   « Less

Undulating strapwork fills the ample center of this carpet in the manner of 16th century Persian carpets woven during the Safavid dynasty. Here, too enchanting animals, such  More »

Undulating strapwork fills the ample center of this carpet in the manner of 16th century Persian carpets woven during the Safavid dynasty. Here, too enchanting animals, such as lions and antelope, cavort among verdant vines, leaves and flowers of the field. A broad border encloses the action and its pale hue extends the scale of the carpet to its outer edges, giving it a well-proportioned and subdued frame. The Ivory background predominates, providing a foil for the gold-green medallion. Highlights are rendered in congruent shades of terra cotta, beige and slate gray. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 09 in x 15 ft (3.28 m x 4.57 m)   « Less