ON HOLD Antique Indian Agra Rug, Country of Origin: India, Circa: Last Quarter of the 19th Century - Here is a truly remarkable antique Oriental rug - an antique  More »

ON HOLD Antique Indian Agra Rug, Country of Origin: India, Circa: Last Quarter of the 19th Century - Here is a truly remarkable antique Oriental rug - an antique Indian Agra rug, woven in India during the closing decades of the nineteenth century. Generally speaking, Agra rugs and carpets feature exceptionally complex and classical compositions, and were often either commissioned by or woven explicitly for Western consumers, who have long prized these carpets for their impressive and exotic aesthetics. Four heart-shaped pairs of graceful vine-scrolls structure the entire composition of this delightful antique Agra. Along with them are various flora like shrubs and palmettes, some of them stylized in the shape of vases. The different colors - browns, golds, and purples - are all set off against an ocean of blue-green ground. The gold-ground border reverses the effect of the field, while an outer guard of blue green reprises the field in a beautifully calculated alternating play of hue and color. It is hands down one of the most breathtaking rugs in the market today. Due to the costs involved with producing a piece of this caliber it was undoubtedly custom ordered. It is obvious just by looking at the design, quality and dyes that great time and attention to detail were paid to every single aspect when it was created over 100 years ago. This piece was made for someone who not only wanted and demanded excellence, but appreciated the beauty and artistic value that can only be found in the best of the best examples. It is very fine and woven in the same way as the good late 19th century Tabriz rugs were. This leads me to believe that someone from Tabriz was most likely overseeing the production of the piece in India. We know that it was, in fact, woven in India and not in Tabriz, because of the specific dyes that were used (they are dyes that are found and were used in India, not Persia). The design of this carpet is called a “vase design”. The vase carpet design is one of the oldest & most significant patterns in the antique rug world. It can be found in the Early 16th & 17th century carpets from Kerman (Persia). Browns, golds, and purples set against an ocean of blue-green make this antique Agra rug a true stunner. Crafted in Amritsar, India in the late 19th century, it is a gorgeous piece that captures the exotic style of the country with a hint of colonial influence. Agra rugs date back to the 16th century, but those made in Amristar, in northwestern India, are in a league of their own. An amalgamation of East and West, the design was born from the cultural, economic, political and social changes that came from the partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947. Made from high quality wool with a cotton foundation, double weft and an asymmetrical knot, Agra rugs are known for their luxurious feel. But the signature Amristrar style came to life as weavers began incorporating the stylized needs of the West. Decorative art became part of the designs, with spiraling vinescrolls and millefleur motifs blending with traditionally muted palates. The combination of exotic East and decorative West was a style that became immensely popular in the US and Europe, and lives on today. Stunning, sophisticated and carrying a history of craftsmanship that spans three centuries, these antique rugs have a lasting versatility. They bring luxury to any interior design style, and pay homage to the multi-cultural influences that create priceless design. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 15 ft 11 in x 22 ft 11 in (4.85 m x 6.99 m)   « Less

Openwork medallions in a symmetric design renders this antique Khotan rug to the finesse of its weavers. Using geometric medallions as space fillers this rug straddles  More »

Openwork medallions in a symmetric design renders this antique Khotan rug to the finesse of its weavers. Using geometric medallions as space fillers this rug straddles two the artistic design of two cultures. Burnt sienna and camel are the two colors adorning this piece, creating a balanced rug that is well suited for contemporary decor. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 6. ft 07 in x 11 ft 07 in (2.01 m x 3.53 m)   « Less

Antique Persian Kerman Rug, Circa 1900 - The overall effect of this jewel-like antique Kerman is heightened by the precision of its detail and confident drawing. Each  More »

Antique Persian Kerman Rug, Circa 1900 - The overall effect of this jewel-like antique Kerman is heightened by the precision of its detail and confident drawing. Each medallion-like panel is exquisitely drafted from compositions of floral blossoms and branching arabesques, all within a balanced, symmetrical allover structure. The multiplicity of delicate borders and the refined, dignified palette of rich red, navy, pale indigo, camel, chestnut, and ochre combine to produce a composition of considerable finesse and grace. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 13 ft 01 in x 23 ft 02 in (3.99 m x 7.06 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad Carpet, Persia, late 19th centuryA complex allover tracery of interlacing arabesque vines and palmettes unfolds in rhythmic symmetry across the rich red  More »

Antique Sultanabad Carpet, Persia, late 19th centuryA complex allover tracery of interlacing arabesque vines and palmettes unfolds in rhythmic symmetry across the rich red field of this lush antique Sultanabad from Persia. A closer look reveals the subtle underlying patterns of intersecting circles and ogives that structure the entire composition. The red on green arabesque vinescroll border and the smaller scale of its design contrast beautifully with the field, essentially reversing its palette in gracious counterpoint. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 13 ft 06 in x 23 ft 04 in (4.11 m x 7.11 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth centuryA dazzling allover design of serpentine flowering vines pulsates across the field of this lush antique Kerman. For the most  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth centuryA dazzling allover design of serpentine flowering vines pulsates across the field of this lush antique Kerman. For the most part, however, this complexity is mollified by the delicate tone-on-tone coloration of the carpet, so that much of the detail recedes immediately from the viewer’s eye. Selected areas have a blue ground rather than a tan one, lending emphasis to portions of the design as a punctuating effect, like the latent medallion at the center, or the areas projecting inward from the border at regular intervals. The lustrous plush pile interacts beautifully with the design effects to create an aura of restrained richness Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 13 ft 06 in x 23 ft 05 in (4.11 m x 7.14 m)   « Less

This antique Agra Oriental rug preserves the palatial proportions and elegance of the carpets from India's great Mogul period. Sprawling across he field like a jeweled mesh  More »

This antique Agra Oriental rug preserves the palatial proportions and elegance of the carpets from India's great Mogul period. Sprawling across he field like a jeweled mesh of Indian rubies, emeralds, and pearls, the trellis design of palmettes and rosettes stands out dramatically on the rich deep brown field. The delicate pattern of the the border similarly provides the effect of a ruby necklace, set off from the field by enclosing minor borders like tiny gems on ivory. The carpet is a masterpiece of richness and finesse, a work of art with enormous decorative effect. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 15 ft 02 in x 23 ft 08 in (4.62 m x 7.21 m)   « Less

Antique Wilton Carpet, England, early twentieth centuryA closely arrayed pattern of Persian origin using paired 'Boteh' or Paisley forms in a range of rich colors repeats as  More »

Antique Wilton Carpet, England, early twentieth centuryA closely arrayed pattern of Persian origin using paired 'Boteh' or Paisley forms in a range of rich colors repeats as an allover design across the field of this dazzling antique English Wilton carpet. The main border consists of lush palmettes arranged in a connected linear or vertical sequence as a 'candelabra' pattern on an ivory ground, with various smaller borders of simpler vinescrolls. The coloration like the design itself is closely related to luxurious embroidered Kashmir shawls, which may actually have served as the immediate models for this carpet. Style: Wilton Origin: England Size: 8. ft 08 in x 11 ft 07 in (2.64 m x 3.53 m)   « Less

44537 Antique Serapi / Heriz, Persia, late nineteenth century - This lavish antique Serapi has a classic Heriz design. A monumental star medallion rendered in soft blue,  More »

44537 Antique Serapi / Heriz, Persia, late nineteenth century - This lavish antique Serapi has a classic Heriz design. A monumental star medallion rendered in soft blue, pale green, and salmon and sprouting lush finials in red hovers within a cool ivory field. Red cornerpieces with arabesque detail reverse the colors of the medallion. A broad pale blue-ground ‘turtle’ border frames the field, enclosed by minor vinescroll borders, recalling again the palette of the medallion, but with a contrasting, more delicate scale. The drawing has a finesse unusual among Serapis. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 9. ft 07 in x 11 ft 07 in (2.92 m x 3.53 m)   « Less

Antique Agra Rug, Origin: India, Circa: Late 19th Century - This sweetly elegant antique Agra combines the best effects of the medallion and allover formats. At the center  More »

Antique Agra Rug, Origin: India, Circa: Late 19th Century - This sweetly elegant antique Agra combines the best effects of the medallion and allover formats. At the center a small medallion derived from the classic Chinese "cloud-collar" pattern provides a focal anchor without dominating the field. Around it is a delicate scatter of realistic plants - flowers with leaves - derived from the much more brightly-colored classical Indian Mughal carpets. The corner-pieces with their realistic flowers and vines are hardly distinguishable from the scattered flowers of the field since they differ from them only in scale and density, blurring the distinction between medallion and allover designs. Such subtlety, along with the soft pastel palette, makes this a wonderfully adaptable decorative carpet. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 15 ft 10 in x 24 ft (4.83 m x 7.32 m)   « Less

Antique Chinese, twentieth century This lovely Chinese carpet has an openwork vinescroll medallion hovering amidst an open pale green field surrounded by four smaller  More »

Antique Chinese, twentieth century This lovely Chinese carpet has an openwork vinescroll medallion hovering amidst an open pale green field surrounded by four smaller medallions and cornerpieces. Cloudbands and a few floral sprays float across the intervening space. Vinescroll borders frame the field, the main one set against the same epale green ground, and an inner one on pale coral fro contrast. The soft, delicate palette makes this an excellent decorative rug. Style: Chinese Origin: China Size: 15 ft 03 in x 24 ft 06 in (4.65 m x 7.47 m)   « Less