The following is a complete listing of our Antique and Semi-antique rugs and carpets in current stock. They are arranged in order of size, starting with the smallest.
Each and every piece has been personally and carefully selected, based on 45 years of experience buying Antique rugs. I only buy exceptional pieces in perfect or near perfect condition, preferably untouched by restoration, alterations, heavy wear, artificial "antique wash" treatments or any other interference that would negatively effect value.
The quality must be top end, as must be artistic merit, visual appeal and, ideally, a degree of relative rarity within its group.
Click on images to enlarge. More images of each lot available upon request.
This section updated 7/4/2021.
A very finely woven Bakthiari rug with a highly elegant, symmetrically arranged design, to some degree inspired by the superb and complex rugs woven in nearby Isfahan. The clear, all natural colours are typical of Bakthiar work as are most of the motifs and ornaments, yet with a knot count of almost 300/sq inch the rug it rivals the best of Persian town weavings.
In excellent condition throughout, only missing the original short end kilim at the top end, free of repairs, it's a beautiful, hard wearing and highly accomplished example of its type.
€3900
A striking, quirky and characterful rug with great natural colours and plenty of soul. In excellent condition throughout with good pile, original side cords and no loss at the ends other than parts of the original kilim. For further info on this piece, click Current Stock, then Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€SOLD
A powerful, tightly knotted and robust Bidjar rug woven on cotton warp, giving the rug tremendous weight. Bidjar rugs of this structure and quality are undoubtedly the most hard wearing of all Oriental rugs, therefore highly suitable for areas of heavy traffic. The all natural dyes are equally of good quality and durability - you rarely come across a 100 yr old Bidjar that shows any sign of fading, rather a gradual and appealing softening of the clear colours.
In excellent condition throughout, full pile, original side cords, only missing its original braided ends. A great rug that will last for generations to come.
€SOLD
A good village rug from this region with the traditional "shield" medallion design usually arranged in a single center framed by a matching pair. Karadja has also produced runners and room size carpets of similar style. Woven on cotton foundation, all natural dyes, in good condition throughout with original side cords and complete (kilims missing), secured ends and only a couple of minute spot repairs. For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€SOLD
A beautiful and highly decorative rug, perfect as a sumptuous furnishing piece with its calming, easy presence. Great natural colours, superb quality glossy wool, in full pile throughout and with its original side cords and end finishes intact. Photographed in low season sunlight, hence the irritating shadow from the garden.
€SOLD
Yatak rugs were originally woven for home use by villagers and tribal people as special sleeping rugs with thick, high quality wool pile and coarse weave. The quirky and very powerful design is clearly spontaneously woven into the rug as the weaver saw fit, real "freestyle" as I call them, definitely a one of a kind piece representing a long lost tradition.
There are a number of old, small and professionally performed restorations, almost invisible to the eye, otherwise the rug is in excellent condition. Wonderful, all natural colours and superb quality lanolin rich wool. A real collector's rug at a modest price.
€2600
A beautiful, softly coloured rug with an elegant design and great proportions. The soft colours are all naturally faded organic dyes, achieved by over 100 years of respectful use. In very good condition throughout. For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down to page 2.
€2800
A wonderful and early example of the distinctive village rugs from this region, showing influence from both Heriz in Persia and the Karabagh province in Caucasian Azerbaijan. The natural colours are exquisite and the use of ivory in both field and border lifting the piece into the most desirable category.
In excellent condition throughout, full pile, original sides and ends present, free of repairs. For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€SOLD
A very unusual colour combination for Kashan rugs, this was originally one of an identical pair, perhaps specifically commissioned at the time. The design is more reminiscent of Sarouk but the weave, format and minor borders are undoubtedly Kashan. Finely knotted at almost 290/sq inch, in very good condition throughout apart from one minute repair at upper short end, original end finishes and side cords present.
€SOLD
Originally sold in our showrooms in 1999, this stunning rug was always a favourite, both from a quality and decorative viewpoint. The gracefully drawn design has many curious features such as the "vac-vac" (talking tree) motif hanging from the top of the arch, and the families of cockerel, hen and chicks at the base. The soft, pale blue colour is very rare and highly sought after, contrasting beautifully with the deeper border colours - a masterpiece of Persian rug design and understanding of harmonising colours.
Having spent much of its time on the wall the rug is in excellent condition for its considerable age, complete with original ends and sides, free of repairs apart from some minute spots of side cord binding.
€5800
A well drawn, beautifully composed Mihrab design with an attractive and unusual (for Kashan) range of soft natural colours. The flowering vase and delicately drawn sprays and tendrils are classic Kashan work. A very good rug in full pile and free of repairs apart from two minute repairs to upper left and lower right corners.
€3800.-
One of our best city rugs in current stock, this newly acquired piece has everything we look for in a good antique rug: superb design, natural colours, top class weave at over 340 pr sq inch, absolutely perfect throughout with parts of the original end finishes intact, original sidecords and full pile, free of repairs. A beautiful rug to own, suitable for floor use as well as for prominent display on a wall.
€4800.-
A very elegant Isfahan rug with a beautiful Shah Abbas all-over design on cream ground, showing superb flair on part of the designer. The main border is both unusual and pleasing, with open and restful space framing the field perfectly. The rug holds approx. 1,5 million hand tied knots. Apart from very slight, even surface wear it is in excellent condition with original end finishes and side cords intact.
€SOLD
Some of the most beautiful Tree-of-Life rugs were woven over a century ago in Isfahan where the weaving skills and masterful designers have always been among the best in all of Persia. Although you could argue that rugs with a "mihrab" (prayer arch) were destined for use as prayer rugs, the size of most examples of this group were too large for this purpose. Instead, these pieces aimed to be exceptionally decorative and evocative, the ivory mihrab field forming the gateway to Paradise with its riches of flora and fauna to be enjoyed in the afterlife.
This finely knotted example (knot count close to 400/sq inch) is beautifully drawn, all the dyes organic, in very good, original condition throughout apart from fractional loss at the upper short end(1-2 knot rows only). It has spent most of its life on a wall where it offers maximum decorative effect as well as conservation for future generations.
€4200.-
A very handsome, appealing Bidjar with the familiar "Herati" field design, framed by a rare border of large paired birds. At first sight the rugs appears woven from a precise cartoon but on closer examination you clearly see how the weaver has improvised the composition as she went along, adding a unique quality to the piece.
€SOLD
This tribal rug is full of character and spontaneity, clearly woven "freestyle" with no cartoons or designs written down. Natural dyes, good wool, apart from a couple of minute repairs in very good condition. For further info on this piece, click Current Stock, then Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€SOLD
A very rare and beautiful tribal rug of exceptional quality with soft, clear natural colours. The handful of known pieces of this group normally feature a deep yellow ground whereas this has the added edge of the sought after ivory field.
Comparable pieces are published by J. Opie in Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia and Peter Bausback in his exhibition catalogue Alte und Antique Orientalische Knupfkunst, Oct 1981. One author suggesting these rugs may have been woven for the Hajj pilgrimage to Mekka, the other that they were specially woven for the palatial town houses of their tribal chieftains.
This beautiful piece is a valuable example of Persian rug art, woven some 150 years ago and deserving to be proudly displayed on the wall.
€SOLD
This jewel of a rug is an outstanding example of Persian tribal art in perfect, original condition. Having been hung on a wall for much of its previous life it has remained untouched by wear or dirt, the original hanging rings still present and the pile full throughout.
The large "boteh" design is well documented in Khamseh weavings, sometimes known in the West as "Paisley" from the shawls woven in Scotland in the 19th C. Here, the large "boteh" contain small Tree-of-Life motifs with smaller "boteh", symbolising a "mother-and-child" image with symbols of fertility. A wonderful, perfectly preserved masterpiece of original Persian tribal rug art.
Ref: J. Opie, Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia, p.102-103.
€8200
Lilihan rugs from the early 20th C were clearly inspired by the more expensive pieces known as Sarouk woven nearby. Unlike the majority of Hamadans, Lilihans were of floral design, usually in tones of pinks and sky blues, single wefted as against the double wefted Sarouks. Both were popular in Europe and extremely sought after in the US market at the time.
This rug has been displayed on a wall for some time, the original handing rings still present, hence it is in excellent condition throughout with full pile, original side cords and no loss at short ends. The dyes are natural and the glossy wool is of the highest quality. There are a couple of spots where pink details have been overdyed in grey, a measure sometimes deemed commercially justifiable by the traders in order to satisfy the market demands at the time.
€SOLD
This group of Quashq'ai weavings were woven during the tribe's gradual settlement from nomadic to sedentary life. They are robust, hard wearing rugs, with excellent natural colours and original, yet slightly more formal, designs. Many of them also happened to be woven in a rare and very desirable middle size around 8 x 5 ft, a hard one to find in most other Persian weavings.
This rug is virtually unused, in absolutely original and complete condition, full pile, no repairs. If you are looking for a rug that will give you pleasure for generations, this one comes highly recommended. The natural dyes are impervious to light and water, meaning you can have the rug cleaned repeatedly without risk of colour running or fading. This image does not do the piece justice, other images supplied if requested.
€SOLD
A spectacular, original and rare Persian tribal rug of a complex, unique design, superb natural colours and still in excellent condition for its age apart from a couple of minor corner reweaves. Original side cords and intact at each short end apart from the loss of most of its original kilim finish. For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€SOLD
Gabbeh rugs were woven by Persian tribes, mostly from the Fars province. Made for utilitarian purposes, woven in thick, glossy and hard wearing wool, these pieces were woven totally freestyle, the emphasis being on form and colour.
This is a rare, antique example, woven almost a century before these rugs became high fashion in the west. In very good condition apart from some spots of slight wear in the centre. Would look stunning almost anywhere, perhaps especially in a minimal, contemporary environment, on the floor or, if you dare, on the wall!
€4800.-
A striking oblong rug known as "kellei", woven on brown wool foundation, all natural dyes, in very good condition throughout with original ends present, sides in original position but overcast, free of repairs. For further info on this piece, click on Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€3700
A beautiful tribal rug from a time when the Quashq'ai nomads were gradually abandoning their ancient nomadic lifestyle in favour of becoming sedentary villagers, perhaps only taking small migratings during the hottest season. The earliest examples were often masterpieces of tribal art, now fetching huge prices at international auctions, whereas a piece of this vintage and background is still highly affordable.
The rug has clearly been cherished by its previous owners, kept in superb condition with original kilims and side cords still intact, in near full pile throughout and a gorgeous, supple handle.
€4800
A beautiful, characterful rug woven by a village weaver entirely from memory, ie no other identical rug exists - in stark contrast to later Russian factory mass produce where so-called Caucasian rugs with precise, sterile designs and poor dyes were churned out in large numbers. Filled with quirky motifs the rug depicts the weaver's artistic interpretation of village life, much of it probably passed on for generations.
All natural dyes, good wool, in very good condition with only minor restoration such as a correction weave at the top short end and two small reweaves in the lower field end. Note the intriguing five panels at the lower end, pictures of other rugs perhaps? Rugs like this are actively collected by a world wide audience of rug enthusiasts.
€5200
