Antique Bakshaish Persian Allover Geometric Cream Hand-Knotted Wool Rug – Circa 1910 BB7588 10'0" × 12'2" $43,000

This antique Persian Bakshaish rug, hand-knotted in wool circa 1910, reflects the celebrated village-weaving tradition of northwestern Persia. Bakshaish carpets are prized for their balanced mix of tribal spontaneity and disciplined structure, and this example shows that character with particular clarity.

Its blue field is worked in an allover tree-of-life composition, where slender saplings, flowering branches, and stepped arch forms rise in layered, rhythmic repetition. Cream, brick red, warm taupe, and touches of teal and rust give the surface depth, while the small-scale blossoms and foliate details keep the design lively without overwhelming the eye. The composition reads as botanical and geometric at once, with a pleasantly naive quality.

A terracotta-red border frames the interior with rosettes, angular blossoms, and linked vine motifs, adding warmth and definition to the cooler ground. Antique Bakshaish rugs like this are valued for their expressive drawing and versatile palette, making them especially effective in rooms that call for pattern, history, and a grounded sense of visual order.

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.