In this category I list recently acquired pieces of all groups and sizes for a duration of maximum 6 months after arrival, thereafter they appear in their respective sections. More images of any lot available on request. Updated 24/5/2022.
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.
€4600
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
This rare example of knotted (piled) mafrash panels is an early piece - its original purpose being one of the long sides of a cradle or cot, a tradition normally found primarily among tribal work. A very beautiful weaving that can serve as a floor rug (being in full pile throughout), or wall hanging, or even as a draped decoration on a grand piano or piece of furniture.
The primitive drawing clearly shows three pairs of birds, a good luck symbol locally, all with the most superb naturally dyed lanolin rich wool. Free of repairs, a real collector's piece at a very modest cost that would probably look its best displayed horisontally.
€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.
€3800
A solid, straight and very well kept Karadja runner with fine knotting, good natural dyes and virtually free of repairs or alterations. It's also of unusually narrow width - always much sought after - and very robusly woven in good pile throughout. The design is filled with charming spontaneity - note the 4 large goats near one of the central medallions.
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.
€5800
Finely woven Baluch prayer rug with the characteristic "mihrab" topped by two hand panels. The Baluch traditionally wove large numbers of prayer rugs, some for dowry but a larger number for hajjis looking for the best prayer rugs to mark a religious haj. They were the height of status with their fine weave, clear red dye and elegant drawing.
In very good condition with near full pile throughout, original sides, no repairs and no loss at ends. There are small areas piled in black wool having the typical slight mordant corrosion which is not due to wear. A lovely piece.
€2800
At the time Yazd was a small but exclusive rug weaving town with only 20-30 looms according to Cecil Edwards in his monumental book The Persian Carpet. Instead Yazd was renowned throughout Persia for its industrious residents and the integrity of its traders. By 1950 the looms had increased to 2-300 but after that, Yazd rugs became almost indistinguishable from nearby Kermans.
This little jewel with a knot count of around 170/sq inch features inlaid silk in details and a wide range of beautiful natural colours. The design of repeated vases is known as Zil-i-Soltan, commonly found in nearby Abadeh. There is an inscription at the bottom of the field which I will try to decipher - unfortunately it was not dated but the weave, the colours and the quality points to an early example.
Apart from very minor loss at the short ends - only 1-3 knot rows - it is in very good condition, original sides, no repairs and only marginal, even surface wear.
€1600
Sarab is best known for its runners and oblong rugs, typically featuring a light camel beige ground with a series of diamond shaped lozenges and triple borders. This is an attractive, well drawn example featuring good quality weave, fresh (all natural) colours and well spaced, clear design. In very good condition throughout, sides and ends complete and original, free of repair or alterations.
Another very similar example # 9171 of near identical size, woven on the same loom as an intended pair, will be posted shortly. They are for sale separately or as a pair - # 9171 priced slightly lower at € 1275.- reflecting minor condition issues whereas this lot 9170 is perfect throughout.
€1700
This is the pair to # 9170, one inch shorter but the same width. At first sight they are identical but if studying the borders you clearly see the different detail and colour choices as the weaver worked her way up the loom. Had the piece been woven 20 years later each piece would probably have been identical to the smallest detail, woven from rigid cartoons rather than the weaver's memory.
Also in good condition but has some spots of very slight wear, marginal loss at each short end (secured) and over-bound side cords. They can be sold together or separately.
€1275
This group of antique carpets have always been much sought after due to their striking, yet subtle design and, in antique examples, wonderful natural colours. This piece has a real village charm showing plenty of attractive spontaneity and uncluttered design. The colours are exceptionally attractive, natural dyes at their best with subtlety of soft colours that can only be achieved by time.
Georavan Heriz carpets are typically of fairly coarse weave but instead of thick, glossy pile, set to last for generations. In very good condition throughout, mostly in full pile, only a couple of very minor spots of old re-piling. Sides and ends are original and intact. More images available on request.
€9400
A highly decorative, elegant and straight Sarab runner, with the characteristic soft, light colouring and open design. In excellent condition throughout with full pile, original side cords and short ends.
This piece is currently being cleaned and should be ready to go around April 20th.
€4600
Rugs of this appearance were woven in a number of small towns and villages in the Mahallat region, mainly in the town of Arak.
Woven on cotton foundation with fine quality wool dyed entirely with natural dyes including a lovely soft green and ivory spandrels that lift the composition. Note the beautiful and unusual main border. In very good condition throughout it has only very slight, even surface wear, original side cords and one lower end intact, loss of 2-3 knot rows at the opposite end. A good, decorative antique rug at a reasonable price
€2400
This very attractive rug is typical of the work by the Shishboluki - the centre four armed "crab" motif with its matching halved corners is often encountered, as does the linked, flowering plants in the main border. Later examples normally appear much busier in style, the earlier examples being far more attractive in their relaxed, open style of design.
Like all tribal rugs this piece was woven entirely from the weaver's memory and hence it's full of quirky, charming improvisations. The dyes are all natural, meaning the rug can be safely washed and be exposed to light without further fading.
In good condition throughout showing only slight, even wear, original side cords and no loss at short ends other than the original kilim strands. Free of repairs and ready to go on the floor, or on a wall where its visual reward is maximised.
€2900
This lovely carpet is a perfect example of Bakthiari weaving from a time when they had settled into sedentary village life having lived a nomadic lifestyle for centuries. The charming design is well composed, woven freestyle without the aid of sterile cartoons, showing the wonderful playfulness of the weavers especially seen in the main border. The quirky improvisations and very beautiful, glowing natural colours, draw you in, searching for other surprises. See if you can spot the single goat and other small animals scattered around.
Small carpets of good age and character, in top condition, are extremely difficult to source, making this piece an exceptional buy. Lovingly cared for through the generations the carpet is in excellent condition, in near full pile throughout with original sides and ends intact and secured, virtually repair free. A treasure to add warmth and happiness to traditional as well as contemporary settings.
€SOLD
A curious piece woven by the Avshars, dated three times of which two are correct (one is back the front), translating to 1960 AD. The dyes are clearly all natural, showing some abrash and other proof if needed, yet at this time almost all Persian rug weavers had long abandoned natural dyes in favour of inferior chemical one. Most likely the rug was made by a family who had managed to hold on to the forgotten dye making secrets.
The design is typical tribal Avshar - birds, animals, flowers, evil eye symbols, around the two bold medallions that later became the norm for more commercial rugs woven in Shahr Babak. In perfect condition throughout, ex a Swedish private collection where it has been stored away for a generation or more.
€SOLD
