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 23/5/2022.
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.
€5500.-
This is a curious and charming rug, woven by tribal Avshars featuring a cacaphony of tribal symbols and also (on the last count) 13 human figures. However it has a cotton foundation and not the usual Avshar wool warp which suggests it was woven by settled Avshar weavers.
You can spend a long time discovering symbols and design elements - with all the human figures, birds and animals, it's probably a dowry piece wishing the future owner fertility, prosperity and protection from evil. In excellent condition with near full even pile throughout, original side cords and traces of the original end brocading. All dyes are natural. It was acquired privately from a Swedish collection.
€3900
A very subtle, well drawn rug featuring very soft, naturally mellowed organic dyes. This pleasing soft look was created by time rather than by the aggressive, damaging chemical treatments found in the current, poorly made commercial production throughout the Orient.
The generous width makes it attractive as a furnishing rug, allowing the design to "breathe" and create calm. In very good condition throughout with its original sides and ends intact, only a few minor spots of overcasting to the side cords and no field repairs.
€2800
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.
€SOLD
A rare and unusual Caucasian rug with a design mostly seen in Moghans further south-east. Woven on an all wool foundation it has thick, full pile throughout, dyed with clear and bright natural colours, yet to see any signs of age or fading. It has clearly been stored away as dowry rugs often were in the Caucasus, perhaps never to be used on the floor.
In original condition throughout, ends and sides untouched, free of repairs. For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€5800
A stunning antique Bidjar with a powerful medallion design on plain inner field. In excellent condition throughout with full pile, complete and original side cords and end finishes, free of repairs apart from one minute spot of repiling of no consequence. A cracking rug with oodles of character, set to last for another couple of generations even with heavy daily traffic.
For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€3800
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 very striking, attractive rug from the versatile group of Bakthiari, comprehensively researched by the eminent dealer Peter Willborg of Stockholm, Sweden, who sadly passed away recently. In his book are references to several pieces with identical weave structure, style of design and choice of (all natural) colours.
A highly decorative, heavy and robust piece on an unusual format, in excellent condition throughout with its original ends present, side cords in the correct position (but overcast), near full pile throughout and repair free. A great, unusual piece that is both decorative, practical and rare.
€3700
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
The various tribal groups generally placed under the umbrella name of "Baluch" mainly produced small, oblong rugs, either of "Mihrab" (prayer rug) design or a variety of all-over, abstract field arrangements. Long and wide pieces were less common and to find an example like this, in virtually pristine order with full pile, original ends and sidecors, is an achievement. Most antique Baluch pieces were often destroyed by neglect and not considered of much value until recently - now they are much sought after by decorators and collectors alike, because of their sombre colourings and easy to place, rhythmic all-over designs.
€5500.-
In the West, early Tekke "Bokhara" carpets have always been among the most desirable and expensive floor coverings. Delicate in design, never crowded, dyed in warm, pleasant shades of red, they have remained in demand as prime furnishing carpets and collector's items, independent of fashion.
This is one of the best examples we have ever had, extremely finely knotted in superb, silky quality wool. The composition of four by ten "Guls" was the classical, best balanced feature of early examples, framed by wonderful borders of spontaneously composed motifs.
There are two minor, adjacent reweaves along the right border halfway up the field, otherwise the carpet is in very good condition with only very slight, even spot wear and complete with its original kilim ends. A rare, great carpet for the discerning collector.
Ref: W. Loges, Turkoman Tribal Rugs, pl 2
€11750
A very attractive small Heriz carpet with the sought after all-over design, in perfect condition with natural colours, no repairs and with its original sides and ends intact. Carpets of this style, size and condition are very hard to source and right now we have two pieces that would work beautifully together. For further info on this piece click on Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€6500
This new arrival is a solid, robust carpet with the attractive all-over design style, woven towards the end of a time when natural dyes were still in use in Heriz.
In excellent condition throughout, free of repairs and in full pile. For further info on this piece, click on Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€4600
A beautiful antique carpet featuring the original Tekke gul design later known as "Bokhara" after the town where the nomads traded their weavings. Original examples made before the Russian Revolution are now rare and much sought after as decorative furnishing carpets as well as collector's items.
This carpet features all the qualities of early, non commercial pieces - exceptional silky wool pile knotted at around 170/sq inch, natural dyes and virtually repair free. The original end kilims have been lost, otherwise the carpet is in exceptionally good condition. A rare and beautiful piece that blends in equally well in classical and contemporary settings. This photograph does not do it justice and better images will be posted shortly.
€6200
This is a lovely piece of the rare small carpet size, featuring the traditional medallion design on ivory ground. Note the playful drawing of the border motifs and the wonderful range of natural colours, all lifted by the ivory ground. In excellent condition with full pile apart from small areas of slight surface wear, original side cords and complete ends. There are a couple of minute spot repairs of no consequence.
Vintage Heriz carpets have always been among the most sought after of all Oriental carpets worldwide, fitting into contemporary as well as classical interiors. This example is hard wearing, highly decorative and guaranteed to add warmth and pleasure to any room. The sought after ivory ground adds considerable effect and value to the piece.
€6200
A beautiful and early carpet woven by recently settled Bakthiari tribe weavers who only began to weave larger sizes when they adopted village life. A charming, highly characterful and decorative carpet with stunning natural dyes, in excellent condition with original sides and ends, virtually repair free. For further info on this piece click on Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€SOLD
This is a real village carpet of good age, woven "freestyle" without precise cartoons, adding charming character to the piece. Coarsely knotted but with thick pile of glossy naturally dyed wool, in very good condition with only a couple of minute spots of old re-piling. Side and ends are original and intact.
A wonderful, decorative carpet of a very sought after style with attractive soft colouring. For further info on this piece, click Recent Acquisitions, and scroll through. More images available on request.
€9400
A very well drawn, elegant carpet from one of the most well renowned carpet weaving cities in Iran. The general standard of weaving, the well balanced and finely drawn designs, harmonising colours and pleasing proportions seen in early 20th C Kashans placed them at the very top of Persian carpet production.
This example has good natural colours, high quality glossy wool and dense knotting at around 240/sq inch. There is one old spot of restoration near the lower right corner, plus a few small traces of old moth damage. Other than that the carpet is in full pile and complete all around.
€11750
A wonderful carpet with a beautifully drawn all-over design and a clever use of excellent natural colours. Technically with a knot count of 210/sq inch, and in every other way, this piece is at the top of the scale for this group of much sought after furnishing carpets.
In excellent condition throughout with near full pile in most areas, original side cord and no loss at the short ends. There may be a couple of minute spots of surface wear but on the whole, this is a gem!
€SOLD
Kashan carpets of this period were often among the most elegant and classically drawn of all Persian city carpets. At this time most of the better qualities were still employing naturally dyed yarns of the highest quality, the designs drawn by very experienced masters who fully understood the merits of good design and perfectly harmonising colours. This carpet would immediately transform a dull, soulless space into a highly sofisticated, elegant and luxurious drawing room. The carpet is in near perfect condition with only a few tiny areas of slight spot wear - most of it retains its full pile. A beautiful carpet for a special room.
€12900
