Antique Karabagh, Caucasus, circa 1900 The antique Karabagh rugs of the Caucasus often relate to the Persian village weaving traditions from further south, although at  More »

Antique Karabagh, Caucasus, circa 1900 The antique Karabagh rugs of the Caucasus often relate to the Persian village weaving traditions from further south, although at times they reflect western European style and taste. In this magnificent example both traditions come together to remarkable effect. The basic field design is the so-called ‘mother and child’ pattern – large Boteh or paisley forms with complex filler designs. But here they are filled with naturalistic floral patterns derived from French Aubusson and Savonnerie carpets. Delicate floral motifs along with stylized animal and human forms of classic Karabagh type fill out the field, with a simple, narrow Karabagh vinescroll border framing the entire composition. The rich, dramatic palette of deep terracotta, pale green, and black is also in the best Karabagh tradition. Size: 3. ft 04 in x 14 ft 07 in (1.02 m x 4.45 m)   « Less

Chinese Carpet, late nineteenth centuryAlthough the weave and coloration of this elegant and unusual antique carpet are undoubtedly Chinese, the Mina Khani or vinescroll  More »

Chinese Carpet, late nineteenth centuryAlthough the weave and coloration of this elegant and unusual antique carpet are undoubtedly Chinese, the Mina Khani or vinescroll trellis design laden with palmettes and flowers is classic Persian. The drawing of the design is excitedly kinetic with delicate zig-zagging quality throughout. The effect of the design elements in red, soft blue and ivory against the black ground is strikingly effective, in perfect contrast to the pastel effect of the vinescroll border that frames the field. The silken reflective quality of the wool pile is also characteristic of the finest antique Chinese carpets of this kind. Size: 12 ft 03 in x 14 ft 09 in (3.73 m x 4.50 m)   « Less

42520 Antique Kerman, Persia, 1870's delicately drawn Herati pattern in shades of soft blue and cocoa spreads with elegant precision across the soft gold ground of this  More »

42520 Antique Kerman, Persia, 1870's delicately drawn Herati pattern in shades of soft blue and cocoa spreads with elegant precision across the soft gold ground of this exquisite and exceptionally early antique Kerman. Multiple thin vinescroll borders on the same gold ground take the place of one large one, thereby preserving the delicacy, scale, and palette of the field design, and giving the entire piece a lovely decorative unity. Size: 8. ft 02 in x 16 ft 08 in (2.49 m x 5.08 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900The design and coloration of this extraordinary antique Kerman is unique among carpets of this kind. The somewhat western or  More »

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900The design and coloration of this extraordinary antique Kerman is unique among carpets of this kind. The somewhat western or European pattern of naturalistic roses and flowers in rich reds and greens relates much more to certain Armenian Karabagh rugs, although here it appears on a much larger, grander format with more extensive, controlled rhythmic repetitions in staggered horizontal rows. The borders function like the edges of a formal garden enclosing these beds of roses. Size: 8. ft 04 in x 16 ft 09 in (2.54 m x 5.11 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth centuryA delicate medallion design reminiscent of Belgian lace unfolds across the delicate blue field of this luxurious antique  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth centuryA delicate medallion design reminiscent of Belgian lace unfolds across the delicate blue field of this luxurious antique Kerman. Undulating strings of flowering vines surround the medallion, followed by architectonic, arch-like cornerpieces at either end. Like the medallion and the cornerpieces, the border continues the lacey effect and pastel coloration. The thick, luxuriant pile underscores the aura of elegant opulence effected by the design. Size: 9. ft 08 in x 17 ft 01 in (2.95 m x 5.21 m)   « Less

Antique Chinese Peking (Beijing) Oriental Carpet, circa 1920 This supremely elegant Peking carpet exemplifies the design principle that less can be more. The ornamental  More »

Antique Chinese Peking (Beijing) Oriental Carpet, circa 1920 This supremely elegant Peking carpet exemplifies the design principle that less can be more. The ornamental details have been kept to a minimum. Fine vines and tiny flowers sprawl along the outer edges of a field that is otherwise occupied only by a small see-through medallion and a few floral sprays. The contrasting blue border is likewise largely open or empty. Such formal elegance and restraint are classically Chinese and regal, making this a carpet fit for a palace. Size: 9. ft 11 in x 17 ft 05 in (3.02 m x 5.31 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Rug from East Turkestan, early twentieth century - This elegant antique Khotan carpet has a lattice field design adapted from Chodor and Ersari Turkoman rugs,  More »

Antique Khotan Rug from East Turkestan, early twentieth century - This elegant antique Khotan carpet has a lattice field design adapted from Chodor and Ersari Turkoman rugs, although the soft, sandy coloration is distinctly Khotan. There is a fine, tone-on-tone mesh of floral detail within the lattice proper, but it hardly shows up, making the whole design look more open. While the inner border is classically Turkoman, the outer one is the floral cloudband so dear to Khotan weavers. Despite its varied background, this carpet is nonetheless a picture of perfect harmony. Size: 9. ft 03 in x 17 ft 11 in (2.82 m x 5.46 m)   « Less

Antique Isfahan from Central Persia, circa 1900Arabesque vines and palmettes in shades of blue undulate in dynamic rhythms across the soft apricot field of this sumptuously  More »

Antique Isfahan from Central Persia, circa 1900Arabesque vines and palmettes in shades of blue undulate in dynamic rhythms across the soft apricot field of this sumptuously elegant antique Isfahan. Their arrangement effectively defines adjacent compartments of differing form in a larger reciprocal pattern. Various palmettes and flowers fill the intervening spaces. The border asserts a bolder contrast with its golden vines against a deep blue ground, which all provides a clear and truly classic Persian framing effect for the overall composition. Size: 10 ft 03 in x 18 ft (3.12 m x 5.49 m)   « Less

44667 Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth century - Antique Sultanabads are famed for their bolder, more spontaneous treatment of classical Persian designs, but this  More »

44667 Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth century - Antique Sultanabads are famed for their bolder, more spontaneous treatment of classical Persian designs, but this one has all the finesse and delicate elegance of the classical forerunners. Here we see an allover palmette design reminiscent of the finest Kerman or Isfahan carpets of the Safavid period. Richly detailed palmettes and sprays of flowering vine spread gracefully across the soft terracotta ground in staggered array. The ‘turtle’ vinescroll border is even more finely detailed than the field, with multiple small flowers as additional space fillers, all set against a soft blue ground for a gentle framing contrast. Te softness of the palette offers the perfect complement to the delicacy of the design. Size: 12 ft 02 in x 18 ft (3.71 m x 5.49 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, early twentieth centuryA complex medallion with vase-like finials floats airily within a mesh of flowering arabesque vines and palmettes on the field  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, early twentieth centuryA complex medallion with vase-like finials floats airily within a mesh of flowering arabesque vines and palmettes on the field of this exquisitely delicate antique Tabriz. The subtle use of color, relying on tans and pale blues or sage greens causes much of the dizzying detail to recede from our view, so that only the details rendered in dark blue catch our attention. The borders continue this approach to design and color, imparting a harmonious decorative unity to the overall composition. Size: 13 ft 03 in x 18 ft 02 in (4.04 m x 5.54 m)   « Less