Antique Turkish Floral Allover Light Gray Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet – Circa 1920 BB7294 12'10" × 16'7" $85,000

A masterful expression of Turkish textile artistry, this oversized antique Sivas rug from the 1920s embodies the elegance and technical precision of one of Anatolia’s most esteemed weaving centers. Measuring an impressive 17 feet by 13 feet, this carpet showcases the grandeur and decorative sophistication typical of large-format Sivas rugs, which were often commissioned for palatial settings and European export markets.

The field is richly adorned with a dense, symmetrical lattice of stylized botanical motifs—cypress trees, palmettes, scrolling vines, and blossoms—all meticulously interwoven in a continuous all-over design. These elements stem from classical Persian Safavid aesthetics but are rendered with a uniquely Turkish refinement. The soft interplay of warm earth tones—faded rose, pale saffron, antique gold, olive, and muted plum—create a harmonious, almost watercolor-like patina, developed gracefully over the past century.

Framing the lush field is a multi-tiered border system. The primary border features a flowing meander of florals and palmettes connected by scrolling vines, flanked by narrower guard borders rich with stylized rosettes and abstract floral motifs. This architectural framing enhances the balance and rhythmic flow of the central composition, lending the rug a regal, grounded presence.

Woven with a tight, short-pile wool, this rug boasts a high knot count that contributes to the clarity of its intricate design. The material remains supple yet dense, offering durability alongside visual refinement. The handwoven texture, along with natural vegetable dyes, gives the rug a luminous, softly aged finish that cannot be replicated by modern techniques.

This exquisite antique rug, sourced from Doris Leslie Blau, showcases a rare blend of history and craftsmanship. Doris Leslie Blau offers a broad and varied pricing spectrum, accommodating collectors and designers across a range of budgets—from modest vintage finds to rare, museum-worthy masterpieces.