Antique Kerman (Kirman) Persian Carpet, late nineteenth centuryStar-form cartouches filled with plants fruit trees, willows, and cypress repeat rhythmically across the  More »

Antique Kerman (Kirman) Persian Carpet, late nineteenth centuryStar-form cartouches filled with plants fruit trees, willows, and cypress repeat rhythmically across the field of this stately and highly unusual antique Ravar Kerman. The allover structure of the pattern is transformed or modified by the coordinated use of color, forming ever larger concentric diamonds in ivory, blue, green, and purple, like ripples in the wake of a stone dropped in water. The design is a virtual banquet in paradise. In the borders with their vine scrolls and floral garlands, we return to the traditional Kerman repertoire. The weave is extremely fine which complements the careful, detailed and suave drawing. An absolute masterpiece of design. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 11 in x 16 ft 01 in (3.63 m x 4.90 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA dynamic yet delicate mesh of soft green arabesque tendrils arranged as staggered hexagonal cartouches repeats  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryA dynamic yet delicate mesh of soft green arabesque tendrils arranged as staggered hexagonal cartouches repeats rhythmically across the champagne field of this elegant antique Sultanabad. Yet the arabesques recede subtly into a scatter of small flowers that fill the intervening spaces, creating a lacy overall effect. The border of smaller, more finely worked arabesques shares the same color arrangement as the field , imparting unity to the overall design while still varying it. tyle: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 15 ft 04 in x 16 ft 02 in (4.67 m x 4.93 m)   « Less

Antique Chinese, China, Late 19th Century - This magnificent antique Chinese carpet, undoubtedly produced in an imperial workshop, displays the famous 'hundred and one  More »

Antique Chinese, China, Late 19th Century - This magnificent antique Chinese carpet, undoubtedly produced in an imperial workshop, displays the famous 'hundred and one gifts' pattern. An array of lavish objects or furnishings - vases, chests, flowerpots, etc. - float in life-like perspective on a soft camel ground all around an openwork central medallion with stylized flowers and a pair of dragons. Delicate vinescroll cornerpieces and dragon half-medallions appear along the edges of the field. Trompe l'oeuil meander borders enclose the whole design. The exceptional quality of the composition and the drawing is matched by the lovely colors - reds blues, and rusts, and tans - which are warm and soft yet effective in their contrasts. Style: Chinese Origin: China Size: 14 ft 02 in x 16 ft 02 in (4.32 m x 4.93 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900 - The Antique Sultanabad carpets of Persia are highly sought after for their grand, exuberant treatment of classical Persian floral  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900 - The Antique Sultanabad carpets of Persia are highly sought after for their grand, exuberant treatment of classical Persian floral designs, as well as for their rich, varied color. This one, however, is in a class by itself. The field consists only of an open natural camel ground devoid of pattern. Indeed the camel ground extends virtually across the entire carpet, with the color and pattern both restricted to the vinescroll palmette main border with its soft palette of pale reds, blues, and ivory. Minor borders in soft red and blue help frame the field, along with two others in a slightly paler shade of camel. The simplicity of the design enables us to concentrate on the exquisite delicacy of the color and the luminous softness of the wool pile. The contemporary decorative possibilities of this extraordinary carpet are limitless. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 13 ft 08 in x 16 ft 02 in (4.17 m x 4.93 m)   « Less

Antique Bakshaish Carpet, Persia, late nineteenth century Among antique Persian room-sized carpets, Bakshaishes like this appear to have the strongest ties to tribal or  More »

Antique Bakshaish Carpet, Persia, late nineteenth century Among antique Persian room-sized carpets, Bakshaishes like this appear to have the strongest ties to tribal or village rug weaving, but seldom to they draw upon these traditions with such style and flair. Here the great central stepped medallion and its highly stylized interior floral detail have all the most exciting qualities of tribal rugs, as does the ivory ground vinescroll border. But the Caucasian or Lenkoran ‘turtle’ medallions in the sea blue field show above all how deep the village rug tradition runs in this magnificent carpet. The color sensibility here is also superb, vying with the best Kazak or Kurdish rugs. Style: Bakshaish Origin: Persia Size: 13 ft 01 in x 16 ft 03 in (3.99 m x 4.95 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryA lavish medallion sits within a field of writhing vines and flowers surrounded by spandrels in the four corners. Despite the  More »

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryA lavish medallion sits within a field of writhing vines and flowers surrounded by spandrels in the four corners. Despite the complexity and density of the design, the effect is smoothly decorative and tranquil because of the delicate tone-on-tone coloration. This effect carries over into the border system where the elaborate designs are once again mollified by the soft coloration that unite the whole carpet in a visually pleasing, harmonious whole. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 11 ft 09 in x 16 ft 03 in (3.58 m x 4.95 m)   « Less

Antique Khotan Oriental Rug, late nineteenth century - This lovely antique Khotan rug is remarkable for its clever restraint. With its empty field, attention focuses in the  More »

Antique Khotan Oriental Rug, late nineteenth century - This lovely antique Khotan rug is remarkable for its clever restraint. With its empty field, attention focuses in the arabesque cartouche borders derived from classical Persian carpets to the west. But the wonderful palette of warm terracottas complemented by soft blues and greens in luxurious velvety pile is the true glory of the rug. The small checkerboard elements set within the sinuous curves of the border add a novel and unexpected effect. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 12 ft 10 in x 16 ft 04 in (3.91 m x 4.98 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, circa 1900 - Tabriz carpets like this represent one of the oldest continuous weaving traditions In Persia. The suavely elegant design of vines  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, circa 1900 - Tabriz carpets like this represent one of the oldest continuous weaving traditions In Persia. The suavely elegant design of vines and palmettes on this piece draws closely upon the so-called Kerman ‘vase carpets’ of the seventeenth century, although using a softer, more decorative palette more suitable to contemporary usage. The lush palmette vinescroll is particularly well rendered here, and its blue ground provides the perfect framing effect for the field. The exceptional quality of the design is nicely accented here by the excellent wool of the pile and the clarity of the colors. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 14 ft 05 in x 16 ft 04 in (4.39 m x 4.98 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz from Northwest Persia, late nineteenth centuryThis exquisite antique Tabriz recalls the great classical Persian carpets designed for the Shahs and their  More »

Antique Tabriz from Northwest Persia, late nineteenth centuryThis exquisite antique Tabriz recalls the great classical Persian carpets designed for the Shahs and their courts. It is not easy to achieve the serene balance between opulent detail and reserved elegance that this carpet displays. The central medallions and the cornerpieces of the field are rich with intricate arabesque ornament that plays off wonderfully against the tranquil ivory ground, Rows of botehs or paisley surround the whole field like a penetrable frame, defying our notions of space and limitation, and making a gentle transition to the finely detailed borders that actually enclose the field. Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 09 in x 16 ft 05 in (3.58 m x 5.00 m)   « Less

Antique Ziegler Mahal/ Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryOne may well marvel at the exquisite rendering of the many-petaled blossoms in the field of this grand  More »

Antique Ziegler Mahal/ Sultanabad, Persia, late nineteenth centuryOne may well marvel at the exquisite rendering of the many-petaled blossoms in the field of this grand antique Sultanabad. Each flower is attached to energetic vines that gently twist and curve throughout the design. The border and corners provide excellent contrast with the pale open field. A very narrow outside border, totally devoid of decoration, provides a measure of repose and quiet transition at the edges of the carpet. On an ivory field are colors of pale terracotta, brick, khaki, camel, sand, cinnamon, teal, and black, with a border and corner panels rendered in soft terracotta. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 10 in x 16 ft 05 in (3.61 m x 5.00 m)   « Less