Antique Chinese, early twentieth century This lovely carpet has a classic Chinese medallion design elaborated by vinescroll patterns. Above and below the central openwork  More »

Antique Chinese, early twentieth century This lovely carpet has a classic Chinese medallion design elaborated by vinescroll patterns. Above and below the central openwork medallion are vases that spew forth intersecting vines replete with leaves and flowers. Within the ogival forms produced by the vines are two more openwork medallions. A broad border of flowering vines or garlands frames the field, set on deep blue in contrast to the burnt-orange of the central area. While most of the design elements and the openness of the composition are traditional Chinese, one may detect something of the influence of Persian carpets in the arrangement of the vinescrolls. Size: 9. ft 01 in x 17 ft 06 in (2.77 m x 5.33 m)   « Less

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryFinely proportioned but grand in scale, the Herati pattern on this elegant antique Agra vividly recalls the classical Persian and  More »

Antique Agra, India, early twentieth centuryFinely proportioned but grand in scale, the Herati pattern on this elegant antique Agra vividly recalls the classical Persian and Indian forerunners that inspired it. The palette is remarkably soft and decorative, relying on pale blue and sage green against a creamy tan ground, with sparing use of aubergine detail. The border with its round and sickle-shaped palmettes also draws up classical Persian precedent, but set against a pale blue ground that nicely complements the tan field. Here the delicate sense of color and the exceptionally refined drawing combine to make this Agra the best of its kind. Size: 13 ft 08 in x 17 ft 08 in (4.17 m x 5.38 m)   « Less

Antique Aubusson, France, late nineteenth centuryOn this sublime antique Aubusson, entwined sprays of laurel make up a large openwork medallion design with a delicate floral  More »

Antique Aubusson, France, late nineteenth centuryOn this sublime antique Aubusson, entwined sprays of laurel make up a large openwork medallion design with a delicate floral bouquet at its center. Additional branches and vases form a surrounding corolla, enclosed yet again by a border of flowering acanthus scrolls. The palette is as delicate as the design, predominantly cream and tan tones, with touches of gold and green for the vines and pastel lavender for the flowers. Size: 16 ft 02 in x 17 ft 09 in (4.93 m x 5.41 m)   « Less

Antique Chinese, circa 1900 Only a spare assortment of tiny floral sprays comprises the field design of this elegantly understated antique Chinese carpet. Four rods  More »

Antique Chinese, circa 1900 Only a spare assortment of tiny floral sprays comprises the field design of this elegantly understated antique Chinese carpet. Four rods punctuated with decorative balls make up a framing trellis around which winds a leafy vine or garland. The frame is perhaps reminiscent of the medievalizing designs of the contemporary English Arts and Crafts Movement, and this carpet may have been produced for export to the West. It is in any case a striking example of the skill of Chinese carpet designers who could achieve such an impressive decorative effect with a minimum of ornamental details. Size: 16 ft 06 in x 17 ft 09 in (5.03 m x 5.41 m)   « Less

Antique American Hooked Rug, circa 1900While antique American hooked rugs are generally appreciated for their homey charm, this unusual example is inspired by the grace and  More »

Antique American Hooked Rug, circa 1900While antique American hooked rugs are generally appreciated for their homey charm, this unusual example is inspired by the grace and elegance of French Aubusson and Savonnerie carpets. Here the design consists of floating medallion-like sprays or bouquets of flowers in pastel tones set against cool cream ground. The staggered arrangement of this allover repeat design is subtle, like the soft palette, and both recall the decorative sweetness of the French forerunners. The borderless composition adds a subtly modern touch. Size: 11 ft 06 in x 17 ft 10 in (3.51 m x 5.44 m)   « Less

Antique Tabriz, Persia, early twentieth century A graceful allover design of palmettes and flowering vines spreads across the soft gold field of this charming antique  More »

Antique Tabriz, Persia, early twentieth century A graceful allover design of palmettes and flowering vines spreads across the soft gold field of this charming antique Tabriz. Much of the pattern is rendered in shades of creamy ivory that contrast subtly with the ground color, with sparing accents in light and darker blue. As a result, its complexity does not overwhelm the viewer, but recedes instead into the background, thereby enhancing the decorative potential of the carpet. A lush palmette vinescroll border is set against a blue ground, providing an effective frame for the entire composition. Size: 12 ft 09 in x 17 ft 10 in (3.89 m x 5.44 m)   « Less

ON HOLD Antique Agra, India, late nineteenth centuryWhile antique Agra carpets often adapt the designs of the classical Indian rug repertoire, this incomparably beautiful  More »

ON HOLD Antique Agra, India, late nineteenth centuryWhile antique Agra carpets often adapt the designs of the classical Indian rug repertoire, this incomparably beautiful example is derived from the great blossom carpets of classical Persian and Caucasian tradition. Here the complex allover repeat pattern consists of a network of fine vines that link classical ‘flame’ palmettes in red, with oblong horizontal rosette-palmettes in ivory, and diagonal cream colored ‘Harshang’ palmettes sprouting red blossoms reminiscent of crab claws. The rich palette is set dramatically against a blue-black ground that silhouettes the main elements in brilliant contrast. The border of red and ivory flowering palmettes on a creamy yellow ground provides the perfect frame in counter-contrast, accented by red-ground vinescroll minor borders. A truly stunning homage to classical carpet design. Size: 15 ft 07 in x 17 ft 10 in (4.75 m x 5.44 m)   « Less

Antique Kerman Rug, Persia, late nineteenth century - An allover design of finely drawn, delicately interlacing vines and flowers graces the soft champagne gold field of this  More »

Antique Kerman Rug, Persia, late nineteenth century - An allover design of finely drawn, delicately interlacing vines and flowers graces the soft champagne gold field of this supremely elegant antique Kerman. The thin proportion of the vines yields pride of place to the elegantly stylized palmettes, which also appear in the border, but set against a dark blue ground that provides a framing contrast to the field. The decorative sensibility of this carpet is simply superb. Size: 8. ft 09 in x 18 ft (2.67 m x 5.49 m)   « Less

Antique English Axminster Rug, 19th century Made in the grand neo-classical European tradition, this spectacular Axminster was England's response to the Savonnerie carpets  More »

Antique English Axminster Rug, 19th century Made in the grand neo-classical European tradition, this spectacular Axminster was England's response to the Savonnerie carpets produced for the French elite. It displays a series of concentric cartouche medallions with rich egg-and-dart and astragal moldings reminiscent of stuccoed and frescoed ceiling decor, Lovely swags and garlands appear to dangle and sway across the moldings and the intervening ground surfaces in burgundy, ivory, and soft blue-green. Size: 15 ft x 18 ft (4.57 m x 5.49 m)   « Less

Size: 9. ft 01 in x 17. ft 08 in (2.84 m x 5.49 m)

Size: 9. ft 01 in x 17. ft 08 in (2.84 m x 5.49 m)   « Less