Antique Ghiordes, Turkey, circa 1900 - The bold, exciting, and spontaneous allover pattern of vines and palmettes on this extraordinary antique Ghiordes reflects the style of  More »

Antique Ghiordes, Turkey, circa 1900 - The bold, exciting, and spontaneous allover pattern of vines and palmettes on this extraordinary antique Ghiordes reflects the style of the Turkish carpets produced in nearby Oushak, although the detail and composition ultimately reflect classical Caucasian carpets as well. But while the various vines and palmettes are arranged in a drop repeat design reminiscent of classical blossom and ‘Dragon’ rugs, much of the detail is improvised and asymmetrical, and it is this that so animates the composition. The S-dragon vinescroll border is quite striking, and its terracotta ground provides the right contrast or framing effect for the field. The rest of the palette with its tans and mauves is cool and decorative like the best Oushaks. Style: Giordes Origin: Turkey Size: 11 ft 06 in x 15 ft 04 in (3.51 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth century On this opulent antique Kerman a diminutive quatrefoil medallion filled with palmettes, leaves, and birds and crowned by  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, early twentieth century On this opulent antique Kerman a diminutive quatrefoil medallion filled with palmettes, leaves, and birds and crowned by cartouche finials sits amidst a welter of writhing vines and flowers. The coloration is soft, mostly shades of tan, with sparing use of navy blue, brown, and aubergine for accents. A monumental main border of palmette vinescrolls utilizes a scale greater than that of the field to achieve a design contrast while still maintaining the same soft coloration. By doing so it achieves a perfect balance between classical Persian design tradition and decorative function. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 05 in x 15 ft 04 in (3.78 m x 4.67 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900A richly detailed star medallion in soft magenta hovers on an ivory-champagne field in this graceful antique Kerman. What  More »

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900A richly detailed star medallion in soft magenta hovers on an ivory-champagne field in this graceful antique Kerman. What appears at first to be cornerpieces turn out to be the edges of arches opposing the medallion above and below, connected by fluted columns wrapped with vines at the sides of the field. This covert architecture is surrounded by a garland border on an ivory ground, set off effectively from the field by darker guard stripes. The savvy use of open space in the field imparts a quiescent poise to the dynamic richness of the entire composition. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 01 in x 15 ft 05 in (3.07 m x 4.70 m)   « Less

Antique Khorassan Carpet, Persia, circa 1900 - This classic Persian design has remained for centuries. Elegant execution dominates the field with a contrasting border in  More »

Antique Khorassan Carpet, Persia, circa 1900 - This classic Persian design has remained for centuries. Elegant execution dominates the field with a contrasting border in softer hues of camel, browns and blues. Style: Khorassan Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 03 in x 15 ft 06 in (3.43 m x 4.72 m)   « Less

Antique Savonnerie carpet, early twentieth century Small clusters of flowers in reds, blues, greens, and lavender, float gaily across the tan ground of this lovely antique  More »

Antique Savonnerie carpet, early twentieth century Small clusters of flowers in reds, blues, greens, and lavender, float gaily across the tan ground of this lovely antique Savonnerie. At first their arrangement seems random, but a closer look reveals the subtle symmetrical repetitions governing their layout. A simple narrow 'ladder' border encloses the field, nicely corresponding to the scale and minute repetition of its design. Style: Chenille Origin: Europe Size: 13 ft 04 in x 15 ft 06 in (4.06 m x 4.72 m)   « Less

Antique Indian, Late 19th Century - While the weave of this elegant antique carpet discloses its Indian origin, the design of naturalistic roses clusters in staggered array  More »

Antique Indian, Late 19th Century - While the weave of this elegant antique carpet discloses its Indian origin, the design of naturalistic roses clusters in staggered array comes from European carpet design, as does the incredibly soft pastel coloration. The border adapts the field design into linear repetition and reduces its scale, cleverly achieving variation and uniformity at the same time. The lustrous, silky sheen of the pile effectively complements the scintillating delicacy of the design. Style: Shahsavan / Shahsevan Origin: India Size: 13 ft 09 in x 15 ft 06 in (4.19 m x 4.72 m)   « Less

Antique Oushak / Ushak Turkish Rug, late nineteenth century The exuberance, grace, and fantasy of classical oriental carpet design come alive on this magnificent antique  More »

Antique Oushak / Ushak Turkish Rug, late nineteenth century The exuberance, grace, and fantasy of classical oriental carpet design come alive on this magnificent antique Oushak. Four sinuous dragons rotate about the center of the rich apricot field, while above and below them winged lions pounce on larger fantastic creatures. In the monumental ivory border more animals prance across vines and palmettes rendered in the same soft greens and apricots of the field. The pictorial quality of the design is nicely balanced by the geometric abstraction of the drawing. Style: Oushak / Ushak Origin: Turkey Size: 12 ft 03 in x 15 ft 07 in (3.73 m x 4.75 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, early twentieth century - An allover compartment pattern of hexagons repeats in dynamic symmetry across the soft tan field of this charming antique Indian Agra  More »

Antique Agra, early twentieth century - An allover compartment pattern of hexagons repeats in dynamic symmetry across the soft tan field of this charming antique Indian Agra carpet. Smaller medallions with abstract floral detail fill the compartments, but allowing considerable space, giving the entire design an open, transparent effect. A stylized latchhook vinescroll border on an ivory ground frames the whole composition, nicely picking up the ivory detail of the field. This sort of design is unusual among Agra carpets, being much more tribal and geometric in style. But the soft pastel palette of the carpet mollifies much of the graphic boldness of the patterning. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 12 ft 06 in x 15 ft 07 in (3.81 m x 4.75 m)   « Less

Antique Bakshaish, Persia, circa 1900 Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 02 in x 15 ft 09 in (3.40 m x 4.80 m)

Antique Bakshaish, Persia, circa 1900 Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 02 in x 15 ft 09 in (3.40 m x 4.80 m)   « Less

Vintage French Art Deco Rug 1920's This lively and exciting vintage French Deco carpet offers an unusual Arts and Crafts European reinterpretation of the classic oriental  More »

Vintage French Art Deco Rug 1920's This lively and exciting vintage French Deco carpet offers an unusual Arts and Crafts European reinterpretation of the classic oriental "Mina Khani" or floral trellis design. Superimposed vines in diamond grid formation sprout large and small rosettes in alternation. The soft yet rich coloration with its contrasting use of blues, greens, yellow, apricot, and cocoa emphasizes the bold, graphic quality of the design to great effect. Style: Art Deco Origin: France Size: 12 ft 02 in x 15 ft 09 in (3.71 m x 4.80 m)   « Less