Antique Axminster English Floral Medallion Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet – Circa 1870 BB1316 14'4" × 15'6" $65,000

Antique English Axminster carpet, circa 1870, woven in the English decorative tradition. This square-format floor covering combines the structure of a formal carpet with the warmth of a richly colored domestic interior piece, making it especially appealing for collectors of antique rugs and English Axminsters.

The composition is built around a bold central medallion with a crest-like silhouette, surrounded by scrolling floral ornament and small rosette details. A warm tan field gives the design room to breathe, while deep brown, brick red, gold, and light blue accents sharpen the outlines and lend the surface a lively, layered character. The floral border reinforces the symmetry and creates a clear architectural frame.

What gives the carpet its appeal is the balance between order and ornament: the medallion reads as formal from a distance, yet the close-up detailing reveals botanical sprays, stylized leaves, and finely worked corner elements. Woven in wool, it offers the tactile richness and visual depth that make antique English carpets so enduring in both traditional and more relaxed interiors.

A rare piece from the Doris Leslie Blau collection, this antique rug exemplifies superior artistry, historic character, and timeless sophistication. DLB is internationally recognized for offering exceptional antique, vintage, and contemporary rugs of remarkable quality and provenance.