Antique Saddle Rug, Tibet, early twentieth centuryThe field of this highly unusual antique pile saddle blanket from Tibet consists of small Maltese crosses arranged as  More »

Antique Saddle Rug, Tibet, early twentieth centuryThe field of this highly unusual antique pile saddle blanket from Tibet consists of small Maltese crosses arranged as alternating diagonal rows in soft blue and pale red against a soft cream ground. The design is varied only by two half diamonds at the upper end. Only the upper edge has a border, which simply reverses the color scheme of the field. The meaty pile of soft lustrous wool nicely complements the simplicity of the design. Style: Chinese Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 06 in x 4. ft 09 in (1.07 m x 1.45 m)   « Less

Antique Rug, Tibet, circa 1930An allover diamond lattice in pale apricot is set against a cream ground on this charming antique Tibetan rug. The areas within the lattice are  More »

Antique Rug, Tibet, circa 1930An allover diamond lattice in pale apricot is set against a cream ground on this charming antique Tibetan rug. The areas within the lattice are filled by pale red and blue cruciform motifs. In keeping with Tibetan tradition, the piece has no borders, allowing the field design to predominate with an almost modern sensibility. Style: Chinese Origin: Tibet Size: 2. ft 07 in x 4. ft 10 in (0.79 m x 1.47 m)   « Less

Antique French Art Deco Rug, early 20th century - A taught sinuous inner border of interlacing vines with small palmettes is classic Art Nouveau, as is the outer border of  More »

Antique French Art Deco Rug, early 20th century - A taught sinuous inner border of interlacing vines with small palmettes is classic Art Nouveau, as is the outer border of twisted wreaths. A small-scale tone-on-tone design of lilies floating on rippling water is barely discernible within the soft red field. The latter pattern recalls Japanese textile design, reminding us of the rich Oriental influences underlying European Art Nouveau. Style: Art Nouveau Origin: France Size: 13 ft 03 in x 18 ft 07 in (4.04 m x 5.66 m)   « Less

Antique American Hooked RugA diamond grid filled by ruffled elements with multi-colored undulating stripes is set against a cocoa tan background on this exciting little  More »

Antique American Hooked RugA diamond grid filled by ruffled elements with multi-colored undulating stripes is set against a cocoa tan background on this exciting little antique American hooked rug. Drawn with much more precision and calculation than most rugs of this type, this example is remarkable in its combination of abstract geometry and an almost biomorphic fluidity, The cool cocoa ground provides and effective setting for the lovely palette of soft greens, red, and ivory. Style: Hooked Origin: America Size: 2. ft 10 in x 4. ft 10 in (0.86 m x 1.47 m)   « Less

Featuring an all-over pattern of alternating stars and flowers linked by a series of bracketed ivory vines, this colorful carpet uses vibrant, contrasting colors to catch the  More »

Featuring an all-over pattern of alternating stars and flowers linked by a series of bracketed ivory vines, this colorful carpet uses vibrant, contrasting colors to catch the viewer’s eye. Bordered by detailed lozenges and a geometric variation of the Kuba border, this carpet is a stunning representation of regional weavings as well as the sought-after sombre-black background, rich sienna-browns and oxidized blues. Style: Kuba Origin: Caucasus Size: 3. ft 04 in x 4. ft 10 in (1.02 m x 1.47 m)   « Less

Antique Kilim Long Carpet, Kuba, late nineteenth century An impressive staggered design of serrated palmette medallions in shades of terracotta and aubergine is set against  More »

Antique Kilim Long Carpet, Kuba, late nineteenth century An impressive staggered design of serrated palmette medallions in shades of terracotta and aubergine is set against a soft blue field on this magnificent antique Kuba Kilim. The form of these palmettes and the stylized floral detail that fills them recall the great classical carpets of the Caucasus, or perhaps the nineteenth-century Caucasian Sumak and Kilim flatweaves descended from them. The smaller palmettes and rosettes that make up the border also reflect the Kazak and Karabagh rugs of the Caucasus. Kilims with such design and rich color are exceptional in Persian weaving, as is the unusually long and large format of this amazing piece. Style: Kilim Origin: Caucasus Size: 5. ft 04 in x 18 ft 04 in (1.63 m x 5.59 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Carpet, East Turkestan, circa 1900 - This sumptuous antique Khotan has an eastern version of the Persian Mina Khani or trellis design, but rendered with the  More »

Antique Khotan Carpet, East Turkestan, circa 1900 - This sumptuous antique Khotan has an eastern version of the Persian Mina Khani or trellis design, but rendered with the unique style and precision of East Turkestan weavers. The beauty of the design resides in the rhythmic alternation of the component motifs and the juxtaposition of soft blue and cinnamon tones. In place of a large border, this carpet has various smaller ones which vary the design texture, but collectively they provide a powerful framework for the sweeping scale of the field. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 9. ft 02 in x 18 ft (2.79 m x 5.49 m)   « Less

Antique Spanish, Letur or Alcaraz, late fifteenth century Despite the depredations of half a millennium, one can still make out a boldly stylized leafy vinescroll on the deep  More »

Antique Spanish, Letur or Alcaraz, late fifteenth century Despite the depredations of half a millennium, one can still make out a boldly stylized leafy vinescroll on the deep yellow gold ground in this fragment of an early Spanish carpet that probably existed when Columbus set sail. The fragment is likely a section of the border. The saturated gold and blue tones still shine through. The thin proportions and dynamic drawing suggest an origin in Letur, or possibly Alcaraz. Style: Spanish Origin: Spain Size: 1. ft x 6. ft 02 in (0.30 m x 1.88 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet from East Turkestan, circa 1900 The delicately proportioned lattice design on this elegant antique Khotan long carpet reflects the influence of  More »

Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet from East Turkestan, circa 1900 The delicately proportioned lattice design on this elegant antique Khotan long carpet reflects the influence of more westerly regions like Iran or even the Caucasus. This is hardly surprising given the position of Khotan along the silk route that linked China to Turkey and beyond. In a sense this carpet bears eloquent witness to these connections and the impact they exerted on Asian arts. But remarkably, the distinctive strength of the Khotan tradition still shines through in the soft, unifying palette and the finely detailed borders, features that make these carpets work so well as decorative pieces. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 8. ft 10 in x 17 ft 08 in (2.69 m x 5.38 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet from East Turkestan, circa 1900This spectacular antique Khotan has a classic Turkoman design of large and small faceted medallions alternating  More »

Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet from East Turkestan, circa 1900This spectacular antique Khotan has a classic Turkoman design of large and small faceted medallions alternating rhythmically across the field. In place of the customary ground color in reddish tones, this example boasts a ground of pale taupe or sand, recalling the native deserts of the Turkomans themselves. A closer look reveals the outer contour of the large medallions, rendered in a soft taupe that virtually disappears into the sandy ground. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 9. ft x 17 ft 02 in (2.74 m x 5.23 m)   « Less