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. A number of very beautiful antique pieces, as well as potentially a collection of old DOBAGs, will be posted gradually in the coming weeks.
This section updated 23/9/2023
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.
€5500.-
The finest rugs from Kashan at this time were woven with lambs' wool pile ("kurk" in Farsi), a fine, lanolin rich wool glowing like silk with which they are often confused. In some rug markets they are generally named "Mohtashem" Kashan after the master designer/weaver whose signed rugs are now exceptionally rare.
This beautiful example has a knot count of 361 pr square inch or 580000 pr square meter, giving a total knot count of approx 1,6 million hand tied knots. The skilled Kashan weavers produced around 5-6000 knots pr day so for a single weaver the time to complete a piece of this quality would be around 300 days.
The rug is in near full pile throughout, side cords in their original position with some overcasting in places, both ends are intact including the original kilim at one end. There are small areas of old moth damage which have been re-piled but generally the rug is in very good condition. This is one of an identical pair, lot 9177.
€6200
This lot is the pair to # 9178, in similar condition with intact ends and sides, reasonably good pile throughout with only small areas of slight surface wear. There are some fairly minor areas of re-piled moth damage and generally both lots are now in very good condition.
€6200
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
This beautiful and unusual rug was probably woven in the Dabir work shops in Kashan, known for its higher than average quality, unusual designs and colour choices. This highly complex and tastefully designed piece has a most attractive and intricate design, in a range of superb, soft pastel (all natural) colours. The intertwined cartouches are filled with birds and flowers, as is the superb border.
In excellent condition throughout, finely knotted at 255/sq inch, no repairs other than securement to short ends. A lovely and highly decorative rug in the much sought after soft colours.
€4800
An unusual rug with "memling" guls in a grid of three by eight squares, inside a "crab" border and two saw-edged guards. Woven on an all wool foundation with full, high pile throughout, the rug has remained in virtually flawless condition, clearly stored for much of the time since being woven.
Within the strictly drawn design there are many irregularities and charming spontaneities, especially the unexpected pinkish red area appearing near the top left corner. As this was near the finish of the weaving, the weaver might well have decided Allah must not be offended, hence the deliberate "imperfection".
This is a robust, original and immensely hard wearing rug in exceptional, almost untouched, condition throughout. Superb quality wool dyed with natural, vibrant colours. No repairs or alterations, original ends present.
€SOLD
A striking example of the great Kurdish rugs from Bidjar, famed for their exceptional durability, robust weave, unique styles of design and wonderful natural colours in early examples. This piece features a beautiful sky blue medallion on plain red inner field where the weaver clearly has gone through multiple batches of naturally dyed red wool resulting in horisontal lines of different colour strength.
Woven on cotton warp this very tightly knotted rug has a knot count of 195/sq inch, resulting in a heavy and robust weave that will withstand generations of hard wear. In excellent condition throughout with full pile, original side cords and complete end finishes, only one minute spot of repiling hardly worth a mention. Like most Bidjars it is slightly shaped which only shows when viewed vertically whereas on the floor becomes irrelevant. A great rug with loads of charming character in excellent condition.
€2800
This wonderful rug features a design known as "mostofi", so named after the Persian Premier Fath-Ali-Shah (1797-1834) who was a strong supporter of the Persian carpet industry. The "mostofi" design was primarily found in large carpets but occasionally also in "dozar" sizes as seen here. The weaver(s) of this stunning rug were exceptionally skilled, woven "freestyle" with lots of charming, quirky touches and, yet maintaining a stunning elegance and harmony. The knot count of 290/sq inch places it at the very top of Bidjar work.
Antique Bidjar pieces are without doubt the most hard wearing and durable of all Persian pieces, due to a special local weaving technique of taught and sinuous wefts, heavily beaten together. The local natural dyes were also of superb quality, absolutely colour fast if washed and unlikely to fade, all a far cry from the poor, synthetically dyed efforts produced in Bidjar from the 2nd quarter of the 20th C to this day.
In superb condition throughout with near full pile, original end finishes and only a discreet protective extra overcasting of the side cords. The rug is free of repairs and should survive for several generations to come, even if placed in areas of heavy traffic. A rare and beautiful gem!
€6800
This is a rare size for a Tekke, and a very sought after one, the squarish format and the gentle allover design fitting many interior requests. Finely woven with a knot count of around 120/sq inch a rug like this would take the best part of a year to weave for a skilled single weaver, making it exceptional value for money and also one that will keep its value given the extremely short supply worldwide.
In good condition with only small areas of slight surface wear, giving the rug that hard-to-find lived in look. Side cords sympathetically overbound, both ends secured, a great buy.
€2400
A very attractive, cheerful and interesting rug showing great play with design details and choice of naturally dyed yarns. In original condition with only very slight, even surface wear, intact with original end kilims and side cords, free of restoration. Spot the 7 human figures at the base of the field.
For further info on this piece, click on Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€4900
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
This beautiful antique Caucasian rug features the so-called "Memling Gul" design, found in several parts of the Caucasus in the 19th C. The rare ivory ground creates a perfect background for the charming Guls, all drawn spontaneously, showing the weaver's work from memory rather the rigid, predictable and mass produced cartoons used from the early 20th C onwards.
In perfect condition throughout with its original ends and side cords intact, in full pile apart from small areas of very slight surface wear. A real heirloom, carefully looked after by previous caretakers , now set to go for several generations to come.
€7200
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.
€5700
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
This exceptional carpet was woven in one of the top ateliers of Tabriz, possibly run by a master designer from Kashan. Everything about it points towards a Kashan origin - the choice of dyes (all natural), the style of design and not least the exceptional quality of merino wool for the pile, until you check the knots which are symmetrical (Turkish), not assymmetrical (Persian) as is the norm for Kashan carpets.
The quality of weaving is also exceptional, with a knot count of 360/sq inch or 578000/sq meter, extremely evenly woven. Although woven from a precise cartoon the center medallion is charmingly slightly off center - adding to its character and giving the true impression of good age.
The carpet is in excellent condition throughout with full pile, complete with its original shirazi (side cords) and no loss at ends, other than the actual finishing strands of weft that are missing. There are a couple of very minor spots of old, properly restored moth damage, of no consequence and free of any other issues. A stunning, elegant and impressive carpet for a luxurious room.
€11800
A strikingly beautiful antique Heriz with a wonderful range of natural colours, the main ground with a superb soft sky blue. In excellent condition apart from a few very minor spots of slight surface wear plus some tiny spots of repairs along the short ends. For further info on this piece, click on Recent Acquisitions and scroll down.
€6800
A lovely antique Heriz with the much cherished (and rare) ivory ground and a wonderful range of all natural colours. The design may look perfectly symmetrical but small, quirky imperfections show the weavers worked freestyle without cartoons.
In good condition apart from very minor loss of end borders (1-2 knot rows), small areas of slight surface wear, a couple of minute repairs to the (original) sidecords. Generally a charming, highly decorative carpet, ideal for a country house but suitable to most home decor settings.
€6900
A very pretty Heriz with the sought after all-over design, superb natural colours and uncluttered design. Small sizes of this style and age are very hard to source, fitting in as they do with almost any style of interior design.
This little beauty is in excellent condition throughout in full pile with its original ends and sides present, ready to go. It would make a great pair with # 9180 also just arrived, for homes in search of two matching pieces that work superbly together.
€6500
Old Heriz carpets with all-over design are generally favoured by decorators and interior designers worldwide due to their great furnishing suitabilities. Small sizes from Heriz of this type are therefore few and far between and I'm pleased to have acquired two examples of which this is the larger. The design is charmingly assymmetrical, all dyes are natural and the carpet is in excellent condition throughout.
Woven in the first quarter 20th century, fairly coarsely knotted but a great size and attractive design, at a good price.
€SOLD
A late 19th C Heriz carpet with real laid back appeal, full of character with a range of beautiful, soft natural colours. Note in particular the rare bluish greens and ochre yellows, superbly contrasted with the deep, indigo blue border and centre medallion. Carpets like this are rare and much sought after by decorators and architects worldwide, perfect for a period country house but also as a calming contrast in a contemporary setting.
In good condition throughout showing slight, even surface wear but solid all around with original side cords and no loss at short ends, virtually free of repairs.
€7200
A lovely, charming Heriz carpet with a broad range of beautiful natural colours, in a somewhat unusual all-over design. It was woven at a time when the weavers worked their designs from memory - in stark contrast to later, post War pieces that are rigid, predictable and often made in multiples to identical designs.
The freestyle work is particularly apparent in the main border but also in the field, giving the carpet a truly unique qualify and individual charm.
In very good condition apart from areas of slight surface wear in the upper field plus loss of 3-4 knot rows at the lower end border. A lovely, calm and decorative carpet of a type much in demand in the rug trade world wide.
€6400
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.
€5200
