Antique Russian Bessarabian Botanic Black, Red, Green, Blue Rug BB7535 7'2" × 8'5" $12,000

An early 20th century Russian Bessarabian carpet, the abrashed charcoal gray field with an allover pattern of enlarged pink, red and pale light blue bouquets, within a charcoal enlarged blossom and vine border.

Rug production was introduced to Europe by the Moors of Spain between the eighth and thirteenth centuries. While Oriental antique carpets 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 rugs of the last few centuries. From 1660 until 1743 Savonnerie was a manufacture royal, carrying out commissions for pile rugs for sale 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 rugs in the late nineteenth century when William Morris designed a pattern for an Axminster rug.