Produced by the Qashqai and Turkic-speaking tribes who inhabited southwest Persia, this kilim is an excellent example of diagonal lozenges and polygons woven entirely with  More »

Produced by the Qashqai and Turkic-speaking tribes who inhabited southwest Persia, this kilim is an excellent example of diagonal lozenges and polygons woven entirely with right angle geometry. Using the flat-woven kilim stitch, weavers incorporate a series of steps to create diagonal lines and lozenges that intimate curves. The bright colors and stepped borders that complement the lozenge medallions complete the overall effect of this bold kilim. Style: Kilim Origin: Persia Size: 1. ft 09 in x 2. ft 08 in (0.53 m x 0.81 m)   « Less

Antique Heriz-Serapi, Persia, late nineteenth century A grand medallion design spewing palmette vinescrolls and finials virtually rules the field of this arrestingly  More »

Antique Heriz-Serapi, Persia, late nineteenth century A grand medallion design spewing palmette vinescrolls and finials virtually rules the field of this arrestingly beautiful antique Serapi. Vinescroll cornerpieces give the soft camel ground a hexagonal form, while they echo the rich palette of reds, terracotta, greens, and soft blues of the main floral elements. A vinescroll border provides a framing contrast in scale, while its dramatic blue-black ground reprises the ground color and graphic impact of the central medallion. Serapi carpets represent the finest grade of Heriz, but this magnificent example is extraordinary for its bold drawing and color, even among Serapis. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 10 ft 10 in x 20 ft 08 in (3.30 m x 6.30 m)   « Less

Divided into four quadrants, this unique medallion carpet uses traditional guls, botehs, and reciprocating fretwork borders associated with tribal carpets produced by Kazakh  More »

Divided into four quadrants, this unique medallion carpet uses traditional guls, botehs, and reciprocating fretwork borders associated with tribal carpets produced by Kazakh tribes in the Caucasus and across the Eurasian Steppe. The Asian fretwork accents show Khotanese adaptations of preexisting styles. Style: Khotan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 3. ft x 3. ft 01 in (0.91 m x 0.94 m)   « Less

Antique Baluch Rug, Afghanistan, circa 1900A highly stylized tree of life occupies the narrow central camel-ground field on this lovely little antique Baluch bag face or  More »

Antique Baluch Rug, Afghanistan, circa 1900A highly stylized tree of life occupies the narrow central camel-ground field on this lovely little antique Baluch bag face or "Balisht." Various geometric minor borders take up the rest of the surface, all of them using deep wine tones that nicely complement the camel tones of the field. The lustrous silky pile contributes the plush tactile appeal of this lovely tribal weaving. Style: Baluch Origin: Persia Size: 1. ft 06 in x 3. ft 02 in (0.46 m x 0.97 m)   « Less

Antique Serapi, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAntique Serapi carpets like this one are famed for their bold medallion designs and striking abstract style. This magnificent  More »

Antique Serapi, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAntique Serapi carpets like this one are famed for their bold medallion designs and striking abstract style. This magnificent example, however, has a diminutive medallion and not cornerpieces, and so it functions more as a centralized allover design of jutting angular vines and palmettes. The palette consists of soft apricot, pale blues, and ivory set against a warm terracotta ground with sparing use of dark tones for accents. The richly detailed ‘turtle’ vinescroll border has a teal ground that nicely complements the palette of the field. Definitely one of the more formal and elegant examples of this type. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft x 20 ft 06 in (3.66 m x 6.25 m)   « Less

Woven by the nomadic Baluch people who inhabited vast portions of Persia between from Azerbaijan to Pakistan, this flat-woven runner uses the tribal group’s dark  More »

Woven by the nomadic Baluch people who inhabited vast portions of Persia between from Azerbaijan to Pakistan, this flat-woven runner uses the tribal group’s dark color scheme interspersed with brilliant white weft-substitution designs and latch hook protection motifs that highlight the precision and craftsmanship in each detail. In the Baluch fashion, this utilitarian rug also includes a number of wrapped borders used to attach colorful tassels, wish tufts, and decorative accents. Style: Baluch Origin: Persia Size: 1. ft 07 in x 3. ft 04 in (0.48 m x 1.02 m)   « Less

Antique Soumak, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAlthough Soumak flatwoven rugs and carpets are most often associated with the Caucasus, they were woven across a broad swath  More »

Antique Soumak, Persia, late nineteenth centuryAlthough Soumak flatwoven rugs and carpets are most often associated with the Caucasus, they were woven across a broad swath of the rug-producing world, as this unusual Persian example attests. Here a series of serrated or ‘Ashik’ medallions with arrowhead finials repeats down the dark navy field, surrounded by a maze of tiny floral and geometric motifs. Several arrowhead borders alternating between ivory and brown frame the field, while continuing its pointy geometric precision. The autumnal shades of terracotta and brown nicely complement the blues and greens amidst the animated complexity of the design. Style: Sumak / Soumak Origin: Persia Size: 1. ft 09 in x 3. ft 07 in (0.53 m x 1.09 m)   « Less

Antique Bidjar, Persia, late nineteenth centuryOn this lovely antique Bidjar a diamond hexagonal medallion in soft blue hovers majestically within an open red field  More »

Antique Bidjar, Persia, late nineteenth centuryOn this lovely antique Bidjar a diamond hexagonal medallion in soft blue hovers majestically within an open red field surrounded by navy cornerpieces. The entire field is covered by a fine Herati mesh that functions more a texture than design, and its coloration changes along with that of the ground colors. The borders strike a different note with their arabesque vinescroll design, although the red ground of the main border echoes nicely against the field while also contrasting with the cornerpieces. Bidjars like this are famed for their fine tight weave, and indeed it is this weave that makes the minute precision of the design possible. Style: Bidjar / Bijar Origin: Persia Size: 12 ft 10 in x 20 ft 06 in (3.91 m x 6.25 m)   « Less

Once designed as protective garments, chapan or cherpi overcoats became increasingly colorful and elaborate. Overcoats produced from Persia to the Far East are traditionally  More »

Once designed as protective garments, chapan or cherpi overcoats became increasingly colorful and elaborate. Overcoats produced from Persia to the Far East are traditionally lined with cotton or woven fabric imported from Russia. In this unique overcoat, a floral print is used on the back of the sleeves and the inside is lined with an ornate lampas-style fabric indicating the care and expense that was taken to select the best quality materials for this elegant tribal piece. Style: Gashgai / Qashqa'i Origin: Persia Size: 2. ft 06 in x 3. ft 07 in (0.76 m x 1.09 m)   « Less

Antique Turkish Rug, Turkey, late nineteenth centuryA striking contrast of burnt sienna and magenta plays with the sea-foam green lying beneath the mihrab. Ornamented with  More »

Antique Turkish Rug, Turkey, late nineteenth centuryA striking contrast of burnt sienna and magenta plays with the sea-foam green lying beneath the mihrab. Ornamented with geometric motifs this antique Turkish prayer rug utilizes symbolism particular to Anatolian culture. The sing, placed all throughout the mihrab, expresses a young woman's wish to get married. A form of communication for the weaver this particular antique Turkish rug outlines her sentiments meanwhile maintaining undercurrents of religious motifs. Alternating bands make up several narrow borders that focus on the geometric symbols adorning the border and field. The expressive abstract nature of this rug makes this an outstanding piece, but the rich palette effectively enhances the design and detail of this antique Turkish rug. Style: Turkish Origin: Turkey Size: 2. ft 09 in x 3. ft 10 in (0.84 m x 1.17 m)   « Less