Antique Serab, Persia, circa 1900 Antique Serab carpets like this are renowned for their precise geometric design and the subdued elegance of their controlled palette.  More »

Antique Serab, Persia, circa 1900 Antique Serab carpets like this are renowned for their precise geometric design and the subdued elegance of their controlled palette. Serabs tend to be made in a long or runner format with serial medallions, which makes this room-sized example with its fine, allover design unusual. Here the field consists entirely of small paisley or ‘Boteh’ motifs, arranged in tightly arranged, staggered horizontal rows. The design is so closely worked that the tan ground is little more than a contrasting outline for the Botehs. Several running vinescroll borders frame the field, providing an effective contrast in design and scale, while preserving the delicate precision of the drawing. Style: Serab Origin: Persia Size: 8. ft 11 in x 14 ft 11 in (2.72 m x 4.55 m)   « Less

Antique Soumak Carpet, Caucasus, late nineteenth centuryCaucasian flatwoven carpets in Sumak technique are famed for their rendering of classic Turkish medallion and Persian  More »

Antique Soumak Carpet, Caucasus, late nineteenth centuryCaucasian flatwoven carpets in Sumak technique are famed for their rendering of classic Turkish medallion and Persian floral carpet designs. This extraordinary example, however, has what appears to be a very unusual allover red lattice design set against a soft blue ground, with radial patterns within each lattice compartment. A closer look, however, reveals that the design is a staggered pattern of blue diamond medallions closely together against a red field that hardly shows through. The crisp geometric drawing is precise and exacting, in the best tradition of Caucasian Soumaks. The floral rosette border, and minor vinescroll borders add a Persian touch, but with the same coloration and drawing as the field, giving the enire piece a remarkably unified decorative emphasis. Style: Sumak / Soumak Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 08 in x 15 ft (3.25 m x 4.57 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, India, circa 1900The monumental, geometric medallion design of this magnificent antique Indian Agra is inspired the Serapi and Heriz carpets of northwest  More »

Antique Agra, India, circa 1900The monumental, geometric medallion design of this magnificent antique Indian Agra is inspired the Serapi and Heriz carpets of northwest Persia. The star-like medallion with its quatrefoil core commands the field, counterbalanced by cornerpieces of similar design, and with sprays of stylized vines and palmettes in the intervening field. A finely-proportioned ‘turtle’ or vinescroll border frames the field and echoes the coloration of the medallion. But while the design pays homage to Persian tradition, the delicate palette of tans, mauves, and ivory is classic Agra, and it renders the whole effect of the carpet more subtle and decorative despite the bold drawing and scale. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 10 ft 04 in x 15 ft (3.15 m x 4.57 m)   « Less

Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 06 in x 15 ft (3.20 m x 4.57 m)

Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 06 in x 15 ft (3.20 m x 4.57 m)   « Less

Antique Khorassan Persian Rug, circa 1900A graceful, flowering tree of life with spiraling branches spreads across the rich sea blue field of this sumptuous antique  More »

Antique Khorassan Persian Rug, circa 1900A graceful, flowering tree of life with spiraling branches spreads across the rich sea blue field of this sumptuous antique Khorassan. Finely proportioned columns support abstractly rendered arches at either end of the field. The relative simplicity and openness of the field contrasts with the closely detailed complexity of the multiple borders, while the consistent use of blue and sandy tones across the carpet provides a unified decorative effect. Style: Khorassan Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 10 in x 15 ft 01 in (3.91 m x 4.60 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA brilliant design of classic Persian arabesque vinescrolls unfolds on a grand scale across the rich red field of this  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA brilliant design of classic Persian arabesque vinescrolls unfolds on a grand scale across the rich red field of this arresting antique Sultanabad. The articulation of the vines in ivory, soft green, and creamy saffron adds considerable complexity and nuance to the design, especially against the red ground. The main border consists of a running vinescroll with rosettes and flowers set against a dark navy ground that contrasts beautifully in scale and color with the field. The wool of the pile, like the colors, is of exceptionally fine quality. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft x 15 ft 01 in (3.66 m x 4.60 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900In place of the sweeping large-scale palmette designs typical of most Sultanabads, this one has a finer pattern of varied rosettes in  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900In place of the sweeping large-scale palmette designs typical of most Sultanabads, this one has a finer pattern of varied rosettes in earth tones and soft blue arranged alternating rows against a soft terracotta ground. The gentler, more rapid rhythms and textures of the field recur in the lovely soft blue border that surrounds the carpet and echoes the blue touches in the field. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 06 in x 15 ft 03 in (3.20 m x 4.65 m)   « Less

Antique Oushak / Ushak Turkey, circa 1900 This sumptuous antique Oushak is exceptional by virtue of its meticulous, elegant drawing. A lovely see-through ogival medallion  More »

Antique Oushak / Ushak Turkey, circa 1900 This sumptuous antique Oushak is exceptional by virtue of its meticulous, elegant drawing. A lovely see-through ogival medallion hovers at the center of the field surrounded by cornerpieces of undulating vines or branches. Cartouches and radial clusters of leaves comprise the border. The overall composition is unified by the consistent, harmonious soft coloration in pale apricot, sands, and soft cocoa. Style: Oushak / Ushak Origin: Turkey Size: 12 ft 07 in x 15 ft 03 in (3.84 m x 4.65 m)   « Less

Antique American Hooked Rug, late nineteenth centuryA delicate and well-spaced pattern of pointed rosettes in staggered rows repeats against the pale tan ground of this  More »

Antique American Hooked Rug, late nineteenth centuryA delicate and well-spaced pattern of pointed rosettes in staggered rows repeats against the pale tan ground of this exceptional antique American hooked rug. A series of thin stripes comprise the simple border system. The elegant design is unusual within the more homey repertory of hooked rugs. It relates more to American applique quilts, although the elegant drawing is also reminiscent of French Aubusson tapestry rugs. Style: Hooked Origin: America Size: 11 ft 10 in x 15 ft 04 in (3.61 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Ningshia, China, late nineteenth centuryThis lovely antique Ninghsia epitomizes the consummate elegance and restraint of classic Chinese rug design. At the  More »

Antique Ningshia, China, late nineteenth centuryThis lovely antique Ninghsia epitomizes the consummate elegance and restraint of classic Chinese rug design. At the center and openwork medallion floats gracefully amidst sprays of flowering branches on a pale tan ground. The entire composition treads the fine line between ornament and figural representation. The inner medallion itself is a scene of sorts, while the life-like branches of the field are arranged in a balanced array, but not symmetrically as a design. It is only in the precisely drawn meander and vinescroll borders that we return to the world of ornamental pattern, which provides a perfect contrast to the organic realism of the field. Style: Chinese Origin: China Size: 14 ft 08 in x 15 ft 04 in (4.47 m x 4.67 m)   « Less