Antique Bidjar rug from Northwest Persia, late nineteenth century - A delicately rendered medallion in soft green floats within a scintillating Herati mesh contained by a yet  More »

Antique Bidjar rug from Northwest Persia, late nineteenth century - A delicately rendered medallion in soft green floats within a scintillating Herati mesh contained by a yet larger hexagonal medallion in red. The remainder of the field is comprised by blue cornerpieces filled with a Herati mesh on blue. The central medallion is adapted to produce the main border design, with an inversion of color, while simpler vinescroll minor borders enclose the main one. The design of the borders as well as their color provides a nice contrast to the Herati ornament that dominates so much of the field. Style: Bidjar / Bijar Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft x 16 ft 07 in (3.35 m x 5.05 m)   « Less

Antique Amritsar, North India, circa 1900An allover design of classical Persian ogival medallions repeats gracefully across the field of this exquisite antique Agra. The  More »

Antique Amritsar, North India, circa 1900An allover design of classical Persian ogival medallions repeats gracefully across the field of this exquisite antique Agra. The medallions are filled by cloudband palmettes. They are arranged in staggered columns of deep cinnamon rust alternating with pale cocoa The remaining space of the tan field has additional cloudband palmettes arranged in pairs as space fillers, nicely echoing the deign texture of the medallions. The main border consists of large star-like rosettes ivory and cinnamon against a tan ground, enclosed by minor borders of arabesque vinescrolls against cinnamon or pale cocoa. The rich effects of the design elements are beautifully counterbalanced by the reserved palette, endowing the rug with considerable decorative flexibility. Style: Amritsar Origin: India Size: 11 ft 02 in x 16 ft 07 in (3.40 m x 5.05 m)   « Less

Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 01 in x 16 ft 07 in (3.68 m x 5.05 m)

Style: Tabriz Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 01 in x 16 ft 07 in (3.68 m x 5.05 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900 - This sumptuous antique Kerman has an allover compartment design of scalloped ogival medallions on a tan ground. While the  More »

Antique Kerman rug from Central Persia, circa 1900 - This sumptuous antique Kerman has an allover compartment design of scalloped ogival medallions on a tan ground. While the individual medallions are derived from classical Safavid forerunners, the allover format is more typical of nineteenth century adaptations of such prototypes. Still, the rich and exacting detail of the palmettes within the compartments is strikingly classical, as is the rich coloration of the carpet, disclosing the venerable origins and fidelity of the Kerman weaving tradition. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft x 16 ft 07 in (3.35 m x 5.05 m)   « Less

Antique Kashan, Persia, circa 1910 - A network or trellis design of interlocking feathery leaves spreads in rhythmic symmetry across the field of this dazzling antique  More »

Antique Kashan, Persia, circa 1910 - A network or trellis design of interlocking feathery leaves spreads in rhythmic symmetry across the field of this dazzling antique Kashan. Within the compartments defined by the trellis are complex quatrefoil medallions made up of arabesque vines, while smaller blossoms fill the remaining space around them. The patterning is closely worked that little of the dramatic black ground shows through. It appears more as an outlining accent for the various forms in brilliant golden and reddish tones. The border of vinescrolls with grand palmettes is set against a red ground that beautifully complements the black of the field, while sage-ground minor borders reinforce the framing effect. Here we see the classic Persian interplay of superb color and refined design for which antique Kashan carpets are prized. Style: Kashan Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 05 in x 16 ft 08 in (3.18 m x 5.08 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryThis striking antique Indian Agra is inspired by the Serapi and Bakshaish carpets of Northwest Persia. A bold medallion with  More »

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryThis striking antique Indian Agra is inspired by the Serapi and Bakshaish carpets of Northwest Persia. A bold medallion with massive finials is surrounded by highly abstract floral and geometric motifs in the field. A hexagonal inner medallion is enclosed by a larger lobed one, while large hooked cornerpieces fill the remaining areas. A highly stylized palmette vinescroll border frames the field. But the bold, monumental geometry of this design is wonderfully balanced or softened by the pale, tone-on-tone coloration of the carpet. For all its grand sweep and angular abstraction, the ultimate effect is gentle, cool, and calm, a remarkably decorative piece. Style: Agra Origin: India Size: 13 ft 10 in x 16 ft 10 in (4.22 m x 5.13 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman, Persia, circa 1900A classical Persian design unfolds with consummate elegance across soft tan field of this stunning antique Kerman. A scalloped ogival  More »

Antique Kerman, Persia, circa 1900A classical Persian design unfolds with consummate elegance across soft tan field of this stunning antique Kerman. A scalloped ogival medallion brimming with minute ‘millefleurs’ detail sprouts fleur-de-lis finials, enclosed by cornerpieces that define an oval field. The field itself is studded with tiny, scintillating jewel-like floral elements in mauve-aubergine, some of which form a corolla at the edge of the oval. The floral borders are all comprised of the same elements and tones that ornament the field, thereby endowing the carpet with a remarkably harmonious decorative unity. Style: Kerman Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft x 16 ft 10 in (3.35 m x 5.13 m)   « Less

Style: Tabriz Origin: Turkey Size: 12 ft 02 in x 16 ft 10 in (3.71 m x 5.13 m)

Style: Tabriz Origin: Turkey Size: 12 ft 02 in x 16 ft 10 in (3.71 m x 5.13 m)   « Less

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900 The lush antique Sultanabad is very unusual for the reserved precision of its drawing and its subdued, highly decorative palette. In  More »

Antique Sultanabad, Persia, circa 1900 The lush antique Sultanabad is very unusual for the reserved precision of its drawing and its subdued, highly decorative palette. In place of the open jutting sprawl of boldly drawn tendrils and palmettes typical of Sultanabads, this one has an ordered, lace-like, see-through Mina Khani reminiscent of a Tabriz or Khorassan. Instead of the more varied colors typical of most Sultanabads this one has dominant sand and apricot tones against azure blue, creating the effect of jewels made with lapis lazuli and gold. An extraordinary combination of lavishness and decorative restraint. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 11 ft 04 in x 16 ft 11 in (3.45 m x 5.16 m)   « Less

Antique Savonnerie, France, nineteenth century Antique French Savonnerie carpets like this are prized for the stately restraint of their design, and the quality of  More »

Antique Savonnerie, France, nineteenth century Antique French Savonnerie carpets like this are prized for the stately restraint of their design, and the quality of their color. Here the field is entirely open except for a narrow garland at its edge. Its beauty resides in the unencumbered loveliness of the expansive soft green center. The compartment border, reminiscent of Neo-classical architectural decoration, is filled a design of hanging garlands or swags in an antique, Greco-Roman style, although punctuated at their centers with baroque or rococo cartouches. The rich design and saturated color of the borders contrast beautifully with the openness and reserved palette of the field. Style: Savonnerie Origin: Europe Size: 10 ft 05 in x 16 ft 11 in (3.18 m x 5.16 m)   « Less