Fine Antique Russian Bessarabian Handmade Wool Carpet BB7594 7'0" × 11'2" $18,000

A late 19th century Russian Bessarabian rug, the striated navy blue field with alternating enlarged bouquets around a central light camel medallion ringed by angular leaves within a light camel flowerhead and scrolling thick vine border.

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 rugs 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 antique oriental rugs of the last few centuries. From 1660 until 1743 Savonnerie was a manufacture royal, 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 and Crafts beautiful rugs in the late nineteenth century when William Morris designed a pattern for an Axminster rug.