Antique English Floral Allover Ivory Needlework Wool Runner – Circa 1880 BB8957 2'5" × 14'10" $6,000

This antique English needlepoint runner, circa 1880, belongs to the Aesthetic Movement and Arts and Crafts tradition, where disciplined ornament and handworked texture were prized over excess. Woven in England, it brings the tailored look of Victorian decorative arts to a long, practical format suited to hallways and galleries.

Its design is organized into alternating compartments, beginning with a larger square at one end and continuing through a sequence of bordered panels. Stylized acanthus and foliate sprays unfold across a warm terracotta-brown ground, worked in olive, tan, and soft gold, while turquoise guard stripes sharpen the layout. The rhythm is orderly, but the scrolling leaves keep it lively.

A deep burgundy and black outer border, dotted with petite floral motifs and diamond forms, frames the composition with crisp contrast. Small corner ornaments and the fine stitchwork give the runner a tapestry-like surface and a distinctly English decorative character. It offers warmth, pattern, and structure without overwhelming more traditional or transitional interiors.

A treasured piece from the expansive Doris Leslie Blau collection, this antique rug embodies the gallery's longstanding commitment to sourcing carpets of exceptional artistry and historical significance. DLB offers a vast selection of antique, vintage, and contemporary rugs, welcoming collectors and designers at every level.