Authentic 19th Century Bessarabian Handmade Rug BB6036 11'8" × 12'4" $70,000

This circa-1880 antique flat weave Bessarabian rug features an all-over design of interlocking abstractions containing floral motifs in shades of red, pink and green. Ornate curling vinery and a thin main border complete the look of the antique late 19th century European carpet. The Bessarabian nomenclature relates to a group of nineteenth century carpets and flat weaves – or kilims – made in the mountainous Carpathian region between Ukraine and Moldova. Although little is known about the circumstances or workshops where these rugs and flat weaves were fashioned, the output shows a synthesis of local folk motifs and designs inspired by eighteenth century French antique oriental rugs for sale popular at the Russian Court and in aristocratic circles; the ornate design seen in this Bessarabian carpet certainly echoes this motif. Both metropolitan and provincial antique Bessarabian kilims are distinguished from Western European urban weavings by less formal designs that manage to achieve an elegant balance between noble and poor.