Antique Meshad Persian Allover Warm Tan Hand-Knotted Wool Rug – Circa 1880 BB4543 14'0" × 15'9" $90,000

Woven in Persia circa 1880, this antique Meshad rug reflects the refined workshop tradition for which the city was celebrated. Its square format and warm tan ground create an elegant foundation for a densely worked, formal composition, and a pleasingly architectural presence.

The field is covered with an allover lattice of small-scale floral and foliate motifs, arranged with enough variation to keep the surface lively while remaining orderly. A series of nested borders frames the center, the broad outer band animated by repeated medallion-like cartouches and rosette details in muted beige, dusty rose, brown, and taupe. The effect is tailored and balanced rather than ornate, with each line of ornament reinforcing the rug’s architectural clarity.

Hand-knotted in wool, the carpet shows the softened patina that gives antique Persian rugs their depth and ease. Its restrained palette and compact pattern make it especially suited to formal living rooms, libraries, and layered transitional interiors where texture and history are more compelling than high contrast.

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.