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 7/9/2021.
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.-
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.
€4800.-
This wonderful rug of great age ticks all the boxes on my check list. The design is completely woven "freestyle" making it truly unique, the wool and dye (all natural) quality is superb, the condition close to perfect with original ends and sides. In full pile and only one small top drawer reweave at upper left corner.
The size known as "pardeh" in Iran is that little bit larger than most Persian "dozar" pieces, making it sought after by decorators as well as by collectors. For further info on this rug click Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€4800
This is a curious rug, undoubtedly woven by the Avshars with 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 obviously suggests it was woven by settled people.
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 owner fertility and prosperity as well as 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 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
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
An impressive Bordjalou Kazak with a powerful and decorative presence, great natural colours and a very rare size to find in any Antique Oriental rug.
The simplicity of design would work equally well in traditional as well as contemporary settings with big, chunky seating etc. It would also be a knockout on a large, plain wall in need of a strong statement of colour and bold design.
In excellent condition apart from a few minor, old repairs to the lower kilim end, plus some small spots of professionally performed re-piling. The upper short end has been rewoven by two knot rows - none of the above mentioned noticeable to the untrained eye. Note the quirky goat in the upper border.
€7400
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 handsome and decorative early 20th C carpet with good wool and natural colours - the design with a higher number of more densely placed "guls" but still showing a degree of spontaneity around the borders. The carpet has slight but even wear but only a few minute spot repairs, the original sidecords still present and no loss at the short ends except for the original kilims. Perfect size for a set of dining room furniture!
€4400
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.
€6700
A beautiful small Heriz carpet of traditional design on the sought after ivory ground. In excellent condition throughout with original side cords and complete ends, in full pile apart from small spots of slight surface wear. For further info on this piece click Current Stock, Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€6900
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.
€5200
An early, truly beautiful Heriz carpet with superb, naturally soft colours and inspired, quirky design. Heriz carpets, or any Persian carpets, featuring this range of soft, light colours are extremely rare and much sought after on decorators' markets worldwide. In excellent condition for its age, good pile virtually throughout, only a few knot rows at short ends showing some old repiling. For further info on this piece, click Current Stock, then Recent Acquisitions, and scroll down.
€SOLD
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 very attractive example from Heriz, with a very pleasing design built more on all-over style than the more traditional center medallion. The (all natural) colours are particularly attractive, with a warmth oozing from every shade, all blending together perfectly as only organic dyes can do.
In very good condition with only one original knot row missing at each short end, now secured. Sides original, overcast in places, only a few tiny spots of old repiling in the field. A highly decorative carpet that will lift any room in need of a lift. Clean and ready for use.
€SOLD
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!
€8500
