Full of tribal charm, this gul carpet from Sultanabad uses a number of uncharacteristically geometric patterns. Reminiscent of classic Turkmen guls and juval motifs, this  More »

Full of tribal charm, this gul carpet from Sultanabad uses a number of uncharacteristically geometric patterns. Reminiscent of classic Turkmen guls and juval motifs, this piece includes an interesting combination of design characteristics from the intense and varied colors and unique guls to the ornate borders filled with Tree of Life symbols in oxidized shades of red and blue. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 06 in x 4. ft (1.07 m x 1.22 m)   « Less

Woven with double scorpion medallions and symbolic latch hooks worked with extremely precise weft-wrapped techniques, this saddlebag was designed to show the owner’s  More »

Woven with double scorpion medallions and symbolic latch hooks worked with extremely precise weft-wrapped techniques, this saddlebag was designed to show the owner’s importance while protecting the horse and rider. In addition to the brilliant colors and impeccable craftsmanship, this tribal saddlebag includes a bridge section with a unique chevron pattern bordered by wrapped cording and durable loops that would have held decorative shells and objects to secure the openings. Style: Sumak / Soumak Origin: Persia Size: 1. ft 04 in x 4. ft 01 in (0.41 m x 1.24 m)   « Less

Antique Bidjar Persian Wagireh Rug, Late 19th Century Wagireh's or sampler's are becoming a new collecting field. These generally small rugs were woven to represent designs  More »

Antique Bidjar Persian Wagireh Rug, Late 19th Century Wagireh's or sampler's are becoming a new collecting field. These generally small rugs were woven to represent designs for larger carpets. What exists now are intriguing rugs with a variety of designs. Style: Bidjar / Bijar Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft x 4. ft 03 in (0.91 m x 1.30 m)   « Less

Antique Bezalel, Israel, early 20th century The Bezalel workshop, active in the Holy Land in the earlier 20th century, was famous for its reinterpretations of classic rug  More »

Antique Bezalel, Israel, early 20th century The Bezalel workshop, active in the Holy Land in the earlier 20th century, was famous for its reinterpretations of classic rug designs. This beautiful little example adapts colorful field and border designs from Caucasian and Eastern Turkish rugs in a subtle homage to Jewish tradition. Upon closer inspection, small stars of David appear all across the border, in the outer edge of the field, and on a larger scale as the main medallions at the center. Menorahs appear as well in the corners of the star medallions, between them on the red ground, and one last time in the cornerpieces. Style: Bezalel Origin: Israel Size: 2. ft 11 in x 4. ft 03 in (0.89 m x 1.30 m)   « Less

This unique tribal prayer rug uses dramatic white accents to highlight the stepped mihrab and border motifs. The central field inside the mihrab is decorated with a number of  More »

This unique tribal prayer rug uses dramatic white accents to highlight the stepped mihrab and border motifs. The central field inside the mihrab is decorated with a number of star motifs seen in some of the earliest known carpets. Designed for protection against evil, this prayer rug includes a significant number of comb motifs and amulets. Traditionally seen in tribal carpets, this rug features symmetric sections of striped, flat-woven tapestry on each end. Style: Turkish Origin: Turkey Size: 3. ft 02 in x 4. ft 03 in (0.97 m x 1.30 m)   « Less

With a highly desirable ivory field, this impressive sampler or wagireh exhibits luscious floral designs intended for larger carpets. The colors in this sampler subtly play  More »

With a highly desirable ivory field, this impressive sampler or wagireh exhibits luscious floral designs intended for larger carpets. The colors in this sampler subtly play with one another's complimentary hues. Style: Sultanabad Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 05 in x 4. ft 04 in (1.04 m x 1.32 m)   « Less

Woven on the western frontier of China, this prayer rug uses the classic recessed mihrab and all-over latticework pattern filled with floral motifs that originates in  More »

Woven on the western frontier of China, this prayer rug uses the classic recessed mihrab and all-over latticework pattern filled with floral motifs that originates in Shirvan. Thousands of miles away, weavers in East Turkestan reproduced the hook and star borders, intricate guard bands, and geometric flowers used by far away cultures in the Caucasus. Style: Dagestan Origin: East Turkestan Size: 3. ft 06 in x 4. ft 04 in (1.07 m x 1.32 m)   « Less

This floral Malayer carpet featuring a small-scale floral latticework pattern is an excellent example of the region’s unique geometric style. Comprised of curling  More »

This floral Malayer carpet featuring a small-scale floral latticework pattern is an excellent example of the region’s unique geometric style. Comprised of curling ram’s horn hooks and Hamadan flowers that resemble crabs or spiders, this alternating all-over pattern forms a series of flowers emerging from a sets of scrolling leaves. Style: Malayer Origin: Persia Size: 3. ft 01 in x 4. ft 08 in (0.94 m x 1.42 m)   « Less

Antique Timuri Baluch Main Carpet, Afghanistan, nineteenth centuryA bold design of abstractly rendered palmettes and smaller floral elements sprawls dynamically across the  More »

Antique Timuri Baluch Main Carpet, Afghanistan, nineteenth centuryA bold design of abstractly rendered palmettes and smaller floral elements sprawls dynamically across the deep blue field of this stunning antique Timuri Baluch carpet. Descended from East Persian carpets of the Safavid period, rugs of this type embody the capacity of tribal weavers to adapt sophisticated arabesque and floral patterns from Persian city rugs into a distinctive abstract idiom or artistic vision. The delicacy evident in the double vinescroll border and the detailed articulation of the palmettes of the field discloses an exceptional design sensibility, as does the spare yet effective use of white as an accent amidst the various shades of blue, red, and aubergine. Timuri main carpets of this kind are unlikely to postdate the mid nineteenth century, and given such age, this piece is all the more exceptional for its fine condition. Style: Baluch Origin: Afghanistan Size: 6. ft 07 in x 8. ft 04 in (2.01 m x 2.54 m)   « Less

Antique Serapi Persian Rug, late 19th century - While Serapi carpets are prized for their grand medallion designs, this splendid and unusual example has an allover floral  More »

Antique Serapi Persian Rug, late 19th century - While Serapi carpets are prized for their grand medallion designs, this splendid and unusual example has an allover floral pattern of classical Caucasian or Persian inspiration. Large oval palmettes in ivory and blue are staggered across the field in alternation with diagonal ‘Harshang’ motifs to either side of the central ‘flame palmettes.’ Tiny floral details fill in the remainder of the rich red ground. An interlacing vinescroll or ‘turtle’ main border set on gold frames the field, reinforced by minor vinescroll borders with small clover flowers. The quality of the saturated color is extraordinary even among exceptional Serapis of this kind. Style: Heriz-Serapi Origin: Persia Size: 7. ft 10 in x 8. ft 10 in (2.39 m x 2.69 m)   « Less