44610 Antique Scandinavian, Sweden, early twentieth century - Antique Scandinavian rugs like this are renowned for the striking abstract geometry of their folk art design.  More »

44610 Antique Scandinavian, Sweden, early twentieth century - Antique Scandinavian rugs like this are renowned for the striking abstract geometry of their folk art design. Initially inspired by Turkish rugs I the ate middle ages, they developed an ornamental vocabulary at times reminiscent of Navajo blankets. Here abstract angular cartouches arranged in two parallel vertical columns repeat against an aqua turquoise ground. Dynamic stylized vinescroll borders in tan and aubergine frame the entire composition. Style: Region Specific Origin: Scandinavia Size: 8. ft 06 in x 12 ft 08 in (2.59 m x 3.86 m)   « Less

Antique Agra carpet, 19th century - This magnificent antique Agra is the proud heir of the great Mugal and Safavid carpets of the classical era. A grand scalloped medallion  More »

Antique Agra carpet, 19th century - This magnificent antique Agra is the proud heir of the great Mugal and Safavid carpets of the classical era. A grand scalloped medallion filled with cloudband arabesques sprouts finials and ogival cartouches on a dark green ground, replete with hunting lions amidst lush thin vines. Winged angels surrounded by tendrils look on from the soft celadon cornerpieces. The palette of the entire carpet is rich and dramatic, with high contrasts. Still, the widespread use of soft apricot, terracotta, and celadons counterbalances and mollifies this effect, just as the fine scale of the detail counterbalances the bold graphic design of medallions and cornerpieces. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 6. ft 02 in x 12 ft 08 in (1.88 m x 3.86 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, mid twentieth centuryThe weavers of Tabriz are renowned for rugs that were inspired by the archaeological discoveries from the ancient Near East, but  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, mid twentieth centuryThe weavers of Tabriz are renowned for rugs that were inspired by the archaeological discoveries from the ancient Near East, but none is quite so remarkable as this stunning example. The main elements of the design - i.e. the main checkerboard field and the outer borders of horseman and fallow deer - are adapted from the famous carpet found in a frozen Scythian tomb at Pazyryk in Siberia. On view today in the Hermitage Museum, the Pazyryk piece is perhaps the world’s oldest preserved carpet. The panels in the central area depicting battle scenes with cuneiform inscriptions are taken from famous monuments of ancient Mesopotamian art. One hesitates to characterize any carpet as unique, but this extraordinary carpet surely must be. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 9. ft 08 in x 12 ft 08 in (2.95 m x 3.86 m)   « Less

Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 9. ft 03 in x 12 ft 08 in (2.82 m x 3.86 m)

Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 9. ft 03 in x 12 ft 08 in (2.82 m x 3.86 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, early twentieth centuriesOn this elegant antique Tabriz carpet from Persia, a small ogival medallion is set against a pattern of Botehs or paisley  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, early twentieth centuriesOn this elegant antique Tabriz carpet from Persia, a small ogival medallion is set against a pattern of Botehs or paisley forms so finely worked that they become a kind of textured open field. Still, the botehs sway this way and that in alternating rows, imparting a gentle flowing rhythm to the overall design. A border of classical Persian cartouches maintains the coloration and texture of the field while varying the design. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 9. ft x 12 ft 08 in (2.74 m x 3.86 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad Persian Carpet from Persia, late nineteenth centurySpacious wave-like floral forms curve again and again across the surface of this lavish antique  More »

Antique Sultanabad Persian Carpet from Persia, late nineteenth centurySpacious wave-like floral forms curve again and again across the surface of this lavish antique Sultanabad, reducing the deep blue ground to little more than a bold outline that delineates the lovely pastel-colored ornament. Rich palmettes spiral and undulate, creating boteh or paisley shapes as they curl back upon themselves. The lovely red-ground border contains repeating wreaths of rosettes and delicate, angular branches, contrasting beautifully with the larger scale and motion of the field pattern. Grand yet light, this carpet projects a richly decorative effect with the utmost restraint. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 03 in x 12 ft 09 in (3.12 m x 3.89 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet, East Turkestan, circa 1900 - Small medallions and an array of stylized vines and flowers fill the rich blue field of this tasteful antique  More »

Antique Khotan Oriental Carpet, East Turkestan, circa 1900 - Small medallions and an array of stylized vines and flowers fill the rich blue field of this tasteful antique Khotan. The exquisite delicacy of the drawing of the floral fillers recurs in the vinescroll border, but set there on a pale gold ground that provides an effective contrast to the deep blue ground like gold set against deep lapis lazuli stone. While firmly within the Khotan tradition, the floral emphasis of this piece discloses the inspiration of Persian carpets from further west. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 6. ft 03 in x 12 ft 09 in (1.91 m x 3.89 m)   « Less

Antique Persian Tabriz Carpet, early twentieth centuryThis magnificent antique Tabriz takes us back to the great artistic achievements of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. A  More »

Antique Persian Tabriz Carpet, early twentieth centuryThis magnificent antique Tabriz takes us back to the great artistic achievements of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. A monumental medallion design of of lotus flowers radiates outward, with corned pieces of similar form, all in cool tones of tan, cream, and cinnamon. Elegant swans fill the spaces between the cornerpieces. The border adapts the lotus design to a linear format, accented by geometric minor borders. This design is undoubtedly a response to the new discoveries of ancient Assyrian and Egyptian palace art which were first published in the later nineteenth century . As such the carpet is not only beautiful; it is extremely rare, perhaps giving us a glimpse of what carpets may have looked like some three thousand years ago. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 8. ft 09 in x 12 ft 09 in (2.67 m x 3.89 m)   « Less

Antique Amritsar, India, circa 1900Based on the classic designs of Moghul India, an aquatic paradise or marsh scene unfolds with grace and delicacy across the pale tan field  More »

Antique Amritsar, India, circa 1900Based on the classic designs of Moghul India, an aquatic paradise or marsh scene unfolds with grace and delicacy across the pale tan field of this exquisite antique Amritsar. The naturalistic detail is classically Moghul. We can recognize lotus or lily plants, cat tails, fish, herons, and ducks. The wispy draftsmanship and soft coloration, however, are a new and distinctive feature, attesting to the weavers’ skill. A classical Indo-Persian vinescroll border encloses the field, utilizing a darker palette to frame and anchor all the delicacy of the field. Style: Amritsar Origin: India Size: 10 ft 01 in x 12 ft 09 in (3.07 m x 3.89 m)   « Less

Antique Central European, probably Austrian, late nineteenth century A luscious border of naturalistic grape clusters reminiscent of Caravaggio's "Bacchus" encircles a deep  More »

Antique Central European, probably Austrian, late nineteenth century A luscious border of naturalistic grape clusters reminiscent of Caravaggio's "Bacchus" encircles a deep aubergine open field on this incomparably elegant antique European carpet. The naturalistic style of the border reflects the tradition of French Savonnerie and Aubusson carpets. But the purely open field and depth of color are not French. They probably indicate the richer classical taste of the late Hapsburg court of Austria-Hungary. Style: Continental Origin: Europe Size: 11 ft 08 in x 12 ft 09 in (3.56 m x 3.89 m)   « Less