4366 Silk Farahan Sarouk 4 ft x 6 ft 5 in

4366 Silk Farahan Sarouk 4 ft x 6 ft 5 in

  Extremely Rare! This is the only example of its type in silk that we have encountered in the last six decades of dealing in fine rugs. The design is a larger scaled “Herati” pattern one occasionally sees on this, a good example of the so-called “Farahan Sarouk” carpets of the 19th century.  The cream…

3993 Gabbeh Runner 2 ft x 17 ft 9 in (61 x 541)

3993 Gabbeh Runner 2 ft x 17 ft 9 in (61 x 541)

  The original so-called “Gabbeh” carpets of the second to third quarter of the 20th century such as this example, are a wonderful example of indiginous art from the tribes that roam the mountains of Iran in search of grazing areas for their flocks. The materials used in creating these modernist seeming pieces are natural…

4350 Kerman 4 ft 3 in x 6 ft 6in (130 x 198)

4350 Kerman 4 ft 3 in x 6 ft 6in (130 x 198)

A great combination of traditional Kerman design elements such as the “flowering Boteh” along with the “mille fleur” inspired flower head design borrowed from the European textiles locals were starting to have access to at the time.  The use of the sophisticated “broken border” corners and colors/dyes used in this rug point to a circa 1870’s…

3394 Kerman 4 ft x 6 ft (122 x 183)

3394 Kerman 4 ft x 6 ft (122 x 183)

Extremely fine quality Kerman rug circa 1890 with an unusual blue/green background color.  The “Boteh” design is of the “mother and child” version that adds to the “seed of life” symbolism of the Boteh.

4007 Bakhshayesh 10 ft x 10 ft 5 in (305 x 318)

4007 Bakhshayesh 10 ft x 10 ft 5 in (305 x 318)

Superb example of the best in Persian village weaving. Bakhshayesh carpets are from the same area as the more commonly known Heriz carpets, but are of older vintage and tend to have very open, uncluttered design. The plain camel colored border on this rug is very rare, somewhat evocative of the Serab rugs of the…

7218 Malayer 4 ft 5 in x 16 ft 4 in

7218 Malayer 4 ft 5 in x 16 ft 4 in

A magnificent, multi-colored wide runner fine quality and excellent condition.  Circa 1910, this piece has splashes of yellow, green, rust, and oatmeal on a pleasantly medium blue background

4311 Tibetan 2 ft 3 in x 9 ft 7 in (70 x 295)

4311 Tibetan 2 ft 3 in x 9 ft 7 in (70 x 295)

One of the group of Tibetan rugs known for their “checkerboard” design, this one has a wonderful tomato red and light gold color combination that is quite special.  There is a slight bit of wear in parts of the rug.  Circa 1900.

2854 Kurdish 3ft 4in x 4ft 8in (102 x 142)

2854 Kurdish 3ft 4in x 4ft 8in (102 x 142)

  Often mistaken for village rugs of Northwest Persia or the Caucasus, Kurdish rugs and carpets have only recently come to be appreciated for their distinctive and exceptionally beautiful use of color and design.  This being said, this is a wonderful example of a Persian tribal rug where nomadic artisans picked up design ideas from other…

3315 Toduk Alcaraz Carpet    5 ft  x 9 ft 8 in (152 x 295)

3315 Toduk Alcaraz Carpet 5 ft x 9 ft 8 in (152 x 295)

A very unique carpet, this is an early to mid 19th century version of a very famous 16th century Spanish Alcaraz carpet currently in the Textile Museum. A Phoenix rises from the ashes, surrounded by wreaths. The scull & bones motifs in the original have been replaced here by statue heads (Socrates??). The latin inscriptions (in…

3559 Ziegler 3ft 6in x 4ft 6in (107 x 137)

3559 Ziegler 3ft 6in x 4ft 6in (107 x 137)

  In the late nineteenth century the Arak region of Persia catered especially to western markets, with the the most famous, the English firm of Ziegler & Company established in Sultanabad and became directly involved in the design and manufacture of the finest Mahal or “Sultanabad” carpets. The color selected for these rugs were meant…

3756 Oushak 6 ft 4 x 16 ft 4 in (193 x 498)

3756 Oushak 6 ft 4 x 16 ft 4 in (193 x 498)

3756 Oushak Gallery Rug 6ft 4 in x 16ft 4 in The town of Oushak, roughly one hundred miles south of present day Istanbul, Turkey, produced some of the most commercial rugs of all times.  Their distinctive designs appear as early as the fifteenth century in the paintings of Lorenzo Lotto; they are mentioned as…

2708 Sultanabad 14.8 x 25

2708 Sultanabad 14.8 x 25

One of the most beautiful Examples of its type, this late 19th century rug is in excellent condition and has a wonderful multitude of colors including subtle shades of green and yellow.

3266 Seysan 11 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in

3266 Seysan 11 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in

From the area where the silk “Heriz” carpets of the 19th century were actually made, it is quite rare to find large pieces of this type. The design vocabulary is quite like that of the Heriz rugs of the period (circa 1900-1910) but with a much more unusual color palette.

2860 Swedish Rug 5 ft 9 in x 9 ft (175 x 274)

2860 Swedish Rug 5 ft 9 in x 9 ft (175 x 274)

  A mid 20th century Swedish interpretation of the “Sileh” or “S” design rugs most often associated with 19thcentury Sumak rugs from the Caucuses. The coloration is spot on for the time, although the silver/gray tones seem quite contemporary.    

7094 Malayer 14 ft x 26 ft  (425 x 790 cm)

7094 Malayer 14 ft x 26 ft  (425 x 790 cm)

The central field of this massive carpet is a traditional infinite repeat of the Herati design common in rugs from this region, but with the added charm of small birds interspersed throughout.  The cream spandrels on both ends of the carpet with their claw shaped hooks make a striking frame. The main portion of the…

7055 Sultanabad 10ft x 13ft 6in (3.06 x 4.11m)

7055 Sultanabad 10ft x 13ft 6in (3.06 x 4.11m)

A design of large cartouche medallions outlined by feathers which one normally associates with Kerman carpets.  The color combination utilized– the rich madder, deep indigo and fiery yellow show that is indeed an example of Sultanabad weavers using their skill to impart their genius into a borrowed design.

2667 Sivas 6 ft 8 in x 11 ft (203 x 335)

2667 Sivas 6 ft 8 in x 11 ft (203 x 335)

When Marco Polo crossed Anatolia in 1270 on his journey to the Far East, he expressed that the people of this area “weave the choicest and most beautiful carpets in the world.”  Sivas, the town known as Sebasteia in ancient times, is the capital of the province of the same name, and has long been…

7046 Senneh Carpet 13 ft x 21 ft 4 in (395 x 650 cm)

7046 Senneh Carpet 13 ft x 21 ft 4 in (395 x 650 cm)

Audience Carpet Senneh was for two centuries the capital of Kurdistan, and was thus settled by Persian officials who ordered fine quality rugs for their homes. Although knotted by Kurdish tribesman rather than urban-dwelling salaried artisans, Senneh is well known for producing very high quality small rugs.  What sets apart this example is that the…

7025 Oushak 9 ft 5 in x 11 ft 9 in (287 x 358)

7025 Oushak 9 ft 5 in x 11 ft 9 in (287 x 358)

Circa 1900 An extremely subtle Turkish rug in both design and color, owing to sophisticated tastes in the European export market of the time. Interestingly, this is of a design seen very seldom in the original Oushak carpets, but seen quite often in the Donegal (Ireland) copies of the 1920’s and 30’s. The red colored…

3251 Kurd Tabriz Tabriz 8ft x 12ft 4in

3251 Kurd Tabriz Tabriz 8ft x 12ft 4in

A rarity in that here is a rug woven by Kurdish people in a quality usually only associated with fine formal carpets from the best workshops in Tabriz.  The stylistic language is from the mid to late 19th century Heriz silk carpets, although the border elements betray the nomadic heritage of its weavers. Magnificent draftsmanship…

2606 Kashan 9 ft 5 in x 14 ft (2.87 x 4.27)

2606 Kashan 9 ft 5 in x 14 ft (2.87 x 4.27)

On the fringe of the central desert in Persia, Kashan has a well-deserved reputation for producing extremely fine quality traditional rugs. During Safavid times Kashan developed a reputation as one of the finest weaving centers of the world.  The city is located at the very heart of the central Persian carpet-making region and has given…

2601 Bakhshayesh 8ft 6in x 13ft 4in (2.59 x 4.06m)

2601 Bakhshayesh 8ft 6in x 13ft 4in (2.59 x 4.06m)

The village of Bakhshayesh, near Heriz in north-west Persia is well known for its production of well-made carpets with soft colors and bold designs.  This particular rug features some of the most favored design motifs from the Bakhshayesh vocabulary in beautifully harmonious colors.

3839 Melas 9 ft 3 in x 13 ft

3839 Melas 9 ft 3 in x 13 ft

This extraordinary carpet with its unusual design is one of only two room sized Melas carpets we have encountered in 50+ years.  Melas is an area usually known for small prayer rugs with very sophisticated color combinations. Here a grand stepped and indented medallion with finials hovers amidst an open terracotta field otherwise occupied only by…