Antique Rugs & Carpets:

The Golden Age of Persian carpet weaving occurred during the Safavid dynasty, when Shah Tahmasp (1524-1587) began establishing court factories for carpet production. Prior to this time, the production of rugs in the region was primarily a village craft, defined by use of simple rectilinear patterns. Following the Afghan invasion in 1722, there was a significant decline in Persian carpet production until the late nineteenth century when European demand for Persian rugs contributed to a major... Read more..

The Golden Age of Persian carpet weaving occurred during the Safavid dynasty, when Shah Tahmasp (1524-1587) began establishing court factories for carpet production. Prior to this time, the production of rugs in the region was primarily a village craft, defined by use of simple rectilinear patterns. Following the Afghan invasion in 1722, there was a significant decline in Persian carpet production until the late nineteenth century when European demand for Persian rugs contributed to a major revival in the art form. Antique Persian rugs can be divided into two main categories  city (formal) rugs, which were made in workshops, are known for their finely-woven and often intricate designs, and village rugs (informal), which are widely varied in their unique blends of city and nomadic motifs and techniques. The most important formal rugs come from Tabriz, Kashan, Kirman, Doroksh, Khorassan, Meshad, Tehran, and Sarouk and the most well-known villages included Malayer, Sarab, Bakhtiar, Bakshaish, Sultanabad, Bibikabad, Senneh, Fereghan, Heriz, Hamadan and Shiraz. For today s interiors, city rugs tend to work well in formal settings, such as New York offices or apartments, whereas informal nomadic rugs are often excellent choices for more casual spaces such as rooms in country houses. Close

Indian carpet weaving was at its height during Mughal dynasty. The earliest Mughal carpets from the 16th century reveal the heavy influence of Persian carpet weaving traditions, which were brought to India by Persian rug weavers. However, by seventeenth century, Mughal rug designs had begun to reflect more Indian motifs and had also become more naturalistic due to the affect that European trade had on the arts of India. Despite the array of influences, the rugs of Agra, Lahore, and Fatehpur... Read more..

Indian carpet weaving was at its height during Mughal dynasty. The earliest Mughal carpets from the 16th century reveal the heavy influence of Persian carpet weaving traditions, which were brought to India by Persian rug weavers. However, by seventeenth century, Mughal rug designs had begun to reflect more Indian motifs and had also become more naturalistic due to the affect that European trade had on the arts of India. Despite the array of influences, the rugs of Agra, Lahore, and Fatehpur Sikri as a whole reflect the Mughals great respect for and appreciation of nature, along with their high standards of craftsmanship. The steady demise of the Mughal Empire was accompanied by a decline in the production of fine oriental rugs that was only revitalized by the British in the nineteenth century. While the rugs that were made during the late 19th century in India recall Mughal designs, for the most part, they were finely-knotted interpretations of both classical Indian and Persian designs, often in subtle color palettes to cater to European decorative preferences. The two main cities of late 19th century antique Indian carpet weaving are Agra and Amritsar. While Amritsar rugs are often whimsical, informal and in soft earthy tones, Agra rugs are frequently characterized by their deeper colors and fine weaves. Close

Often referred to as Anatolian, rugs have been woven in the area of present-day Turkey since the 13th century with the arrival of the Seljuks, who were nomadic tribes from Central Asia. Turkish rugs were first brought to Europe in the Middle Ages and were in such high demand that Europeans in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries referred to all oriental rugs as "Turkey rug,." In contrast to Persian rugs, Turkish rugs of the nineteenth century were less... Read more..

Often referred to as Anatolian, rugs have been woven in the area of present-day Turkey since the 13th century with the arrival of the Seljuks, who were nomadic tribes from Central Asia. Turkish rugs were first brought to Europe in the Middle Ages and were in such high demand that Europeans in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries referred to all oriental rugs as "Turkey rug,." In contrast to Persian rugs, Turkish rugs of the nineteenth century were less sophisticated,brighter in color, more rectilinear, and were more coarsely-woven. Repeating patterns are rare and prayer rugs with mihrabs in solid colors are common in antique Turkish rugs. Of the many weaving centers throughout Anatolia, each created an innately Turkish rug with a distinct signature style native to its specific region. Decorative antique carpets from Sivas are often finely-woven interpretations of the classical Persian medallion design and have floral infill. Hereke rugs often feature luxurious materials such as silk and metal-thread worked into designs emulating the antique Persian carpets of the Ottoman and Safavid Court workshops. Ghiordes, in the western part of Turkey, is known for precisely figured, colorful, multi-bordered antique prayer rugs with open prayer niches, and stylized architectural motifs. The antique Borlou carpet most closely resembles the dramatic scale, informality and pleasing palette of oriental Oushak rugs. Close

Decorative oriental rugs and carpets have been a significant art form within the Chinese culture for many centuries, if not for several millennia. Mostly in blues and beiges, with classical symbols of longevity, elaborate lotus blossoms, chrysanthemums, cloud-band motifs, foo-dogs and birds, antique Chinese rugs are frequently visible in paintings from as early as the T'ang Period. In contrast to earlier Chinese antique rugs, twentieth-century Chinese Art Deco rugs can be quite spare in design,... Read more..

Decorative oriental rugs and carpets have been a significant art form within the Chinese culture for many centuries, if not for several millennia. Mostly in blues and beiges, with classical symbols of longevity, elaborate lotus blossoms, chrysanthemums, cloud-band motifs, foo-dogs and birds, antique Chinese rugs are frequently visible in paintings from as early as the T'ang Period. In contrast to earlier Chinese antique rugs, twentieth-century Chinese Art Deco rugs can be quite spare in design, catering to modern western or Art Deco taste, and quite radical in color. The most recognizable producer in this genre was Walter Nichols, and American who manufactured art deco carpets in Tientsin.

Rugs produced in Kashgar, Yarkand and Khotan in the Chinese occupied Autonomous Region of Sikiang are collectively known as Samarkands. Typically, long and narrow with simplistic spacious designs rendered in a glossy wool, Samarkand rugs frequently employ colorations of lacquer reds, Chinese yellows, heavily influenced by the neighboring countries of China and Turkey and have been produced in this region since at least the seventeenth century.

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Rug production was introduced to Europe by the Moors of Spain between the eighth and thirteenth centuries. While Oriental rugs initially had a significant influence on European carpet designs, various regions came to develop their own unique styles and techniques over time. In France, starting in the seventeenth century, factories in Savonnerie and Aubusson began producing some of the most exceptional rugs of the last few centuries. From 1660 until 1743 Savonnerie was a manufacture royale,... Read more..

Rug production was introduced to Europe by the Moors of Spain between the eighth and thirteenth centuries. While Oriental rugs initially had a significant influence on European carpet designs, various regions came to develop their own unique styles and techniques over time. In France, starting in the seventeenth century, factories in Savonnerie and Aubusson began producing some of the most exceptional rugs of the last few centuries. From 1660 until 1743 Savonnerie was a manufacture royale, carrying out commissions for pile rugs and carpets specifically designed for the Royal Palaces. In England, high-quality rug production in the town of Axminster in the late 18th century gradually paved the way for the Arts & Crafts rugs in the late nineteenth century when William Morris designed a pattern for an Axminster rug.

In contrast to the fine rugs produced in major European factories, there were also rugs produced for domestic use, such as the ryas of Scandinavia, which reflect the local folk traditions of the weavers. Many of the Northern Europeans who immigrated to America brought such traditions with them, leading to the development of the unique American tradition of weaving hooked and rag rugs.

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The modern design movement emerged in the 1920’s and has moved forward interpreting modern design through the mid 20th century.  Modernism reflected the transition from the era of the Victorian salons into the era of café society. Art Deco represented high fashion and luxury in France. The studios of Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Paul Follot and Maurice Dufrene are probably the best known for interior decoration. Ivan Da Silva Bruhns  and Paule Leleu, the daughter of... Read more..

The modern design movement emerged in the 1920’s and has moved forward interpreting modern design through the mid 20^th century.  Modernism reflected the transition from the era of the Victorian salons into the era of café society.

Art Deco represented high fashion and luxury in France. The studios of Emile Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Paul Follot and Maurice Dufrene are probably the best known for interior decoration. Ivan Da Silva Bruhns  and Paule Leleu, the daughter of Jules Leleu designed rugs for the house of Leleu while Suzanne Guiguichon was designing rugs for Maurice Dufrene. Other important rug designers included  Marion Dorn, Jules Coudyser, Rene Crevel and Vladimir Boberman. Bold colorful floral designs and graphic geometric patterns were equally popular.

Simultaneously the Bauhaus school was founded in Germany with the philosophy of marrying fine art training and apprenticeships with craftsmen and theoretical instruction. The Bauhaus weavers included Johannes Iten, Gunta Stolz and Anni Albers. The Bauhaus school and movement is credited with having unsurpassed influence on design and is clearly apparent in Scandinavian rug design.

Scandinavian rugs and most importantly Swedish Rugs have become known for intricate weaving techniques, exceptional color palettes and most importantly their compatibility with modern and also contemporary interiors. Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom is widely recognized as one of the most influential Designers and Weavers of Swedish rugs establishing her own company in 1919. Barbro Nilsson became the director and chief designer of the company in 1942 after Marta Maas-Fjetterstroms death the year before. Other important designers of Swedish rugs in the mid century include Ingrid Dessau, Marin Hemmingson, Sigvard Bernadotte, Brita Grahn, Edna Martin and Viola Grasten. All of whom were designing throughout the mid 20^th century and even later.

Rug production in China during this period was clearly influenced by the Art Deco rugs being produced in France. Chinese Deco rugs tend to be more floral than geometric but both styles were made. They do appear to have an Asian influence as well particularly in the use of colors and occasionally bamboo vines and leaves but are clearly modern in the scale of the design.

Also included in the Vintage category of rugs are Moroccan rugs which have tribal patterns that are graphic and geometric. Moroccan rug motifs influenced designers such as Ivan Da Silva Bruhn and Vladimir Boberman.  American Interior Designer Francis Elkins used them in some of her most notable interiors in the 1930’s and 1940’s.

Simultaneously the modernist movement was growing in the United States and was widely accepted here probably as a result of major exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and at the Metropolitan Museum. Some of the most notable textile and rug designers working in the United States included Donald Desky, Stanislov V’Soske, Eliel Saarinen, Loja Saarinen (the mother of Eero Saarinen) and Ruth Reeves. After the close of the Bauhaus school many of the architects and designers associated with the school immigrated  to The United States including Josef and Anni Albers.

Stylistically Vintage rugs have the same appeal as vintage furniture. They are clearly defined by the 20th century and by the celebration of new ideas and values for a modern lifestyle.  Fine art and fine craftsmanship are the main components of Vintage Rug design.

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Bessarabian rugs are a group of nineteenth century flatweaves or kilims made in the mountainous Carpathian region between the Ukraine and Moldova, which reflect synthesis of local folk motifs and designs inspired by eighteenth century French carpets popular at the Russian Court and in aristocratic circles. Both metropolitan and provincial antique Bessarabian kilim rugs are distinguished from Western European urban weavings by less formal designs that manage to achieve an elegant balance between... Read more..

Bessarabian rugs are a group of nineteenth century flatweaves or kilims made in the mountainous Carpathian region between the Ukraine and Moldova, which reflect synthesis of local folk motifs and designs inspired by eighteenth century French carpets popular at the Russian Court and in aristocratic circles. Both metropolitan and provincial antique Bessarabian kilim rugs are distinguished from Western European urban weavings by less formal designs that manage to achieve an elegant balance between noble and poor, grace and force.

Karabagh is the name of a region in the Southern Caucasus, the capital of which is Shusha, where knotted-pile rugs have been produced since the eleventh century. Given its situation between the Black and Caspian Seas, bordered by Turkey and Iran, Karabagh has always been a melting pot of religion and culture. Although similar to other rugs from the Caucasus in their coarse weave and symmetric knots, the rugs from Karabagh tend to be the largest. The most unusual of antique Karabagh carpets are rose-patterned, clearly created in response to Western taste, utilizing geometric pink and red flowers, bouquets arranged in garlands with swags, on grounds of dark blue or black.

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In addition to the main categories listed, we also offer a few less common rugs in our miscellaneous category. Within our "Other" category, and also on our Advanced Antique rug search page, we provide you with the opportunity to search for a rug from any region based upon size. If there is something you cannot find within our site please do not hesitate to contact us.

A collection of rugs that are the antique rugs of tomorrow.
These rugs are traditional and transitional in style and were woven in the second quarter of the 20th century. From the 1920's to about 1950.  Although they are woven with the same technique as their older counterparts they are about 40% less in price.