Antique Bakshaish, Persia, late nineteenth century The Bakshaish carpets of Northwest Persia are renowned for their stridently abstract and graphic treatment of classical  More »

Antique Bakshaish, Persia, late nineteenth century The Bakshaish carpets of Northwest Persia are renowned for their stridently abstract and graphic treatment of classical rug designs, but this example is exceptional even among its peers. Here a series of medallions connected by vertical bands is flanked by hooked cornerpieces. The floral origin of the design is barely discernible amidst the rectilinearity and fine tessellated texture of the forms. The simple narrow borders and creamy tan field may perhaps reflect the influence of the Serab runners made in the same general region. Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 03 in x 14 ft 03 in (0.99 m x 4.34 m)   « Less

Antique Kurdish Runner, Varamin Region, Persia, late nineteenth centuryThough woven by Kurds in the Varamin district of Northwest Persia, the design of this antique runner  More »

Antique Kurdish Runner, Varamin Region, Persia, late nineteenth centuryThough woven by Kurds in the Varamin district of Northwest Persia, the design of this antique runner comes entirely from the repertory of Central Asian Turkoman weaving. The field has a dazzling design of richly contoured medallions of 'guls,' enclosed by an 'ovadan' vinescroll main border and guard stripes with 'gotchak' or ramshorns. The brilliant, richly colored palette of the rug, however, is distinctively Kurdish. Style: Kurdish Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 04 in x 14 ft 07 in (1.02 m x 4.45 m)   « Less

Antique Heriz Serapi Runner, Persia, late nineteenth centuryWhile Heriz carpets in a runner format are not uncommon, most are known under the term of Karadja. Serapi Heriz  More »

Antique Heriz Serapi Runner, Persia, late nineteenth centuryWhile Heriz carpets in a runner format are not uncommon, most are known under the term of Karadja. Serapi Heriz runners like this one, however, are very rare. The strongly tribal field design with its abstract latchhook and ‘Lenkoran Turtle’ medallions is derived from the village rugs produced further north in the Caucasus, as are the geometric space-fillers. The serrated vinescroll and rosette borders, however, are classic Persian or Heriz, along with the distinctive palette of soft blues and ivory set against rich red. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 08 in x 15 ft 02 in (1.12 m x 4.62 m)   « Less

Antique Malayer Long Rug, Persia, late nineteenth centuryPairs of elaborately contoured medallions in sage green alternating with soft terracotta repeat down the deep navy  More »

Antique Malayer Long Rug, Persia, late nineteenth centuryPairs of elaborately contoured medallions in sage green alternating with soft terracotta repeat down the deep navy field of this reserved antique Malayer long rug. Smaller floral rosettes and flowers fill the intervening space. The entire design is capped at either end by single medallions nestled within triangular spandrels in sage green with smaller floral fillers. Vinescroll borders in golden tones frame the field. Their color offers a lovely complementary contrast to the navy ground and the green spandrels, just as their smaller, more delicate scale plays off against the bolder graphic aspect of the field medallions. Style: Malayer Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 01 in x 16 ft 05 in (0.94 m x 5.00 m)   « Less

Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 06 in x 17 ft (1.07 m x 5.18 m)

Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 06 in x 17 ft (1.07 m x 5.18 m)   « Less

This exceptionally long and narrow Berber carpet woven by the nomadic tribes of Morocco features lozenges and segmented diamond-shapes followed by a series of abstract checks  More »

This exceptionally long and narrow Berber carpet woven by the nomadic tribes of Morocco features lozenges and segmented diamond-shapes followed by a series of abstract checks and glyphs. The abstract design is separated by a thick band of black sheep’s wool and longer segment made from undyed fleece. With abstract designs and the classic two-tone color palette, this long-pile Berber runner embodies the modern aesthetic favored by Le Corbusier and members of Mid-Century Modern design movement. Style: Region Specific Origin: Morocco Size: 3. ft 03 in x 24 ft 03 in (0.99 m x 7.39 m)   « Less

Antique Qashqai’i, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAn allover field design of stylized Persian Boteh or paisley motifs in staggered array unfolds across the deep blue  More »

Antique Qashqai’i, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAn allover field design of stylized Persian Boteh or paisley motifs in staggered array unfolds across the deep blue field of this striking antique Qashqai’i. Stepped soft red cornerpieces or spandrels filled with scattered floral motifs create the effect of a central medallion. The wide, soft blue-ground border has a pattern of ‘turreted’ and ‘chuval’ guls or medallions adapted from nomadic central Asian Turkoman rugs. The unified decorative aspect of the overall design testifies to the ability of Qashqai’i weavers to fuse motifs from various traditions into a pleasing, integrated whole. Style: Gashgai / Qashqa'i Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 10 in x 22 ft (3.91 m x 6.71 m)   « Less

Antique Kaitag Embroidery , Circa 1900 This extraordinary Kaitag embroidery is from an intriguing weaving culture in the little known country of Dagestan. Located in the  More »

Antique Kaitag Embroidery , Circa 1900 This extraordinary Kaitag embroidery is from an intriguing weaving culture in the little known country of Dagestan. Located in the Caucasus mountains, these embroideries had ritual use for weddings and child birth. Considered good luck and a way to ward off the "evil eye" they are now highly prized as incredible wall art. Style: Kaitag Embroideries Origin: Caucasus Size: 1. ft 09 in x 3. ft 08 in (0.53 m x 1.12 m)   « Less

This triple medallion carpet from Heriz features bold colors and strong tribal designs based around the central lozenge and classic notched medallion, which is use on a  More »

This triple medallion carpet from Heriz features bold colors and strong tribal designs based around the central lozenge and classic notched medallion, which is use on a large portion of Heriz and Serapi rugs. Woven in a classic style, this medallion carpet uses floral borders found in Persian carpets as well as scrolling ribbons and geometric bird motifs borrowed from tribal traditions. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 2. ft 03 in x 4. ft 02 in (0.69 m x 1.27 m)   « Less

Antique Shirvan rug, Caucasus, Late 19th Century Four diamond-shaped medallions rest in a blue field, their serrated edges giving them the look of highly stylized  More »

Antique Shirvan rug, Caucasus, Late 19th Century Four diamond-shaped medallions rest in a blue field, their serrated edges giving them the look of highly stylized palmettes. A variety of other smaller motifs the medallions, all imbued with a crisp geometry: tiny s-shaped “dragons,” rosettes, diamonds, and zoomorphic shapes so abstracted that their referent animal is lost. The precisely rendered Kufic border compliments the bold design. Style: Shirvan Origin: Caucasus Size: 3. ft 01 in x 4. ft 05 in (0.94 m x 1.35 m)   « Less