Antique Meshad Persian Allover Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet – Circa 1920 BB8556 8'10" × 10'5" $43,000

This antique Persian Meshad carpet, woven circa 1920, presents a formal tree-of-life composition in the northeastern Persian weaving tradition. Hand-knotted in wool, it belongs to the class of antique Persian rugs prized for their narrative detail, elegant symmetry, and enduring decorative appeal.

A warm tan field supports a central arboreal axis that rises through the rug like a botanical register, its branches populated by blossoms, leaves, birds, and stylized animal forms. Pale blue elephants, lions, and deer-like creatures appear among the foliage, giving the design a pictorial quality that remains balanced and restrained rather than crowded.

The border architecture is equally expressive: a broad powder-blue outer band filled with scrolling vines and floral ornament frames the interior, while slim guard borders sharpen the composition. Soft ivory, sage, muted rose, and faded brown tones temper the palette, and the softened antique patina adds depth. The result is a piece that reads as both decorative and collector-worthy, with enough visual narrative to stand alone beneath restrained furnishings.

Part of Doris Leslie Blau's grand collection, this antique rug embodies the rich heritage and refined craftsmanship that define the world's most exceptional carpets. Established in 1965, Doris Leslie Blau has earned an international reputation for curating rare and important rugs spanning centuries of design history.