Oversized Antique Kirman Persian Allover Floral Pale Sand Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet – Circa 1920 BB8216 20'6" × 28'7" $320,000

This majestic antique Persian Kirman rug from the 1920s exemplifies the grandeur and refinement for which Kirman (also spelled Kerman) carpets are celebrated. It was woven on a grand scale to adorn the interiors of palaces, manor houses, and important estates.

The rug’s overall design is a testament to the Kirman weavers’ mastery of balanced patterning and delicate color work. A profusion of floral and botanical motifs unfurls across the field, organized in a continuous and flowing composition that evokes a lush Persian garden. Stylized blossoms, vinery, and palmettes intertwine gracefully, lending the carpet an air of both structure and fluidity.

The palette is particularly noteworthy: soft powdery blues, muted terracottas, faded apricots, and gentle beiges blend harmoniously to create a dreamlike, painterly effect. Time has softened the tones into an elegant, almost watercolor-like patina, enhancing its antique charm and subtle sophistication.

The rug’s grand proportions and allover floral medallion-inspired layout ensure visual depth without overwhelming the senses. Multiple delicate borders frame the central field, with scrolling tendrils and floral garlands repeating rhythmically, providing both contrast and cohesion to the vast composition.

Woven in Kirman—long regarded as one of Persia’s greatest weaving centers—this piece demonstrates the region’s reputation for producing some of the finest and most artistically ambitious carpets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The craftsmanship is of the highest order, with meticulous knotting and an exceptionally fine weave that allows for remarkable detail despite the rug’s monumental size.

Today, this antique Kirman rug not only represents a masterpiece of Persian textile art but also a rare furnishing capable of transforming a space with its poetic beauty, scale, and historical gravitas.

A rare piece from the Doris Leslie Blau Collection, this rug exemplifies superior artistry and tradition. 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.