Vintage Irish Arts & Crafts Floral Hand-Knotted Wool Rug BB1237 13'4" × 16'9" $65,000

This exquisite antique Irish Donegal rug, woven circa 1880, is a masterful expression of late 19th-century textile design influenced by both neoclassical and naturalistic aesthetics. Created in Ireland by the renowned Donegal workshops, this piece reflects the refined sensibilities of the British Arts & Crafts movement while drawing upon traditional European elegance.

The design features a delicate interplay of scrolling acanthus leaves, floral garlands, and botanical festoons, all woven into a harmonious palette of soft green, pale celadon, and warm parchment beige. At the heart of the composition lies a subtle medallion formed by interlacing floral sprays and leafy wreaths, which are echoed throughout the field and border in rhythmic symmetry.

What distinguishes this Donegal rug is its ability to balance ornate detail with understated elegance. The field is light and airy, allowing the soft green vegetal motifs to breathe and unfold naturally across the surface. The broad border, richly decorated with blossoming vines and foliage, provides a lush botanical frame that enhances the central medallion’s refinement.

Woven from high-quality wool, the texture is luxurious yet robust, retaining the crispness and clarity of the design over a century later. The use of vegetal dyes has softened over time into an inviting, time-washed patina, lending the rug a romantic, almost ethereal quality.

A rare piece from the Doris Leslie Blau Collection, this rug exemplifies superior artistry and tradition. Doris Leslie Blau offers a broad and varied pricing spectrum, accommodating collectors and designers across a range of budgets—from modest vintage finds to rare, museum-worthy masterpieces.