Hand knotted in the town of Kashan, central Persia, Ca 1930. Size 55x52 cms, 1'10"x1'9".

A very sweet little rug, originally intended for seating (pousthi= cushion in farsi)but would also make a beautiful wall decoration or hard wearing floor rug. In perfect condition with dense, finely spun wool pile, knot count around 225 pr square inch, all natural dyes, free of repairs.

Hand knotted in the town of Kashan, Central Persia (Iran), Ca 1930. Size 63x55 cms, 2'1"x1'10".

Another very pretty little jewel of a rug, finely woven with high quality glossy wool, good natural colours and in perfect condition throughout.

Hand knotted in the Jozan valley region, Hamadan province, West Persia (Iran), Ca 1930. Size 92x66 cms, 3'x 2'2".

Poushti means cushion in Farsi and many rugs of this small size were used for precisely that purpose ie to sit on while having a conversation or gathering. Not many rug weaving districts have a tradition of making these small and beautiful pieces but Jozan is one with a strong "poushti" tradition. This piece is in perfect condition, full pile of naturally dyed wool and no repairs. Like many small Jozans it is slightly crooked but rug enthusiasts regard this as no more than a characterful sign of authenticity.

Hand woven by the Bassiri tribe, part of the Khamseh tribal confederation in Fars province, SW Persia, Ca 1870-80. Size 147x70 cms, 4'10"x2'3".

A complete double bag of genuine tribal background, used by the people who made it well over 100 years ago, showing all the little signs of use and wear, yet maintained in good condition - it has spent the last 30 years in my private collection, on a wall.

Hand knotted by nomadic Yomut Turkoman weavers, SW Turkmenistan, Ca 1870-1880. Size 116 wide by 64 cms at the top point, or 3'10"x2'1".

The "azmalyk" were woven in an identical pair by some of the Turkoman subtribes as part of dowry. The exact purpose was to decorate the camel carrying the young bride, an azmalyk displayed on each side below her saddle, the bride herself completely covered in textiles so as to be invisible until confronted with her husband (possibly for the first time). We have the pair available.

Woven by nomadic weavers of the Yomut tribe, SW Turkmenistan, Ca 1860-80. Size 4'3"x2'8" or 128 x 80 cms,

A very beautiful Yomut chuval in superb condition, tightly woven in top quality lanolin rich wool, with a lovely soft colouring. Original ends and sides intact, full pile.

Hand knotted in the Karadja village district of N.W. Persia, Ca 1900. Size 4'2"x3'3", 128x98 cms.

A very pretty little rug with good character, quirky border, very nice, soft natural colours and good age. It has lost a fraction of its short ends, otherwise it is in good order throughout with only very slight, but even, wear.

Hand knotted by the Tekke Turkoman nomads, S.W. Turkmenistan, Ca 1880-90. Size 113x113 cms or 3'9"x3'9" square.

An important part of the young Tekke woman's dowry was her range of piled and embroidered rugs and textiles. Small rugs of almost perfect square size were, according to tradition, intended for the bride to be seated on while she received gifts and well wishes from the wedding party. These small, rare and very beautiful rugs were finely knotted works of folk art, featuring a whole range of ancient Tekke tribal emblems and symbols, all intended to ensure a happy, fertile and secure life for the wedded couple. What better thing to give today for a wedding present? In excellent condition with full pile and no repairs, all dyes are natural.

Hand knotted by nomadic Baluchi weavers, Khorassan province, N.E. Persia, Ca 1900. Size 144x91 cms, 4'9"x3'.

The various Baluch groups had among their repertoire a good number of prayer rugs, usually in neat sizes of around 5 x 3 ft, collectible world wide as striking wall display rugs as well as for floor use. Camel ground predominates, a good backdrop to the various renditions of Tree-of-Life motifs that usually fill the field.

Note the elaborate kilim finishes at each end, complete and original. Apart from minor spots of black corrosion the rug is in excellent condition.

Hand knotted in the town of Derbend, Daghestan, East Caucasus, Ca 1920-30. Size 152x113 cms, 5'x3'9".

An affordable Caucasian rug with high quality, silky wool, good colours despite its relatively young age, and good condition apart from very slight wear in some centre areas. Derbend rugs never made the big collector's Christmas list as the town studios mostly copied known village design from the remote provinces around Daghestan and Shirwan, all of which are now hugely collectible provided all the right boxes are ticked. Nonetheless this is a nice, affordable and highly decorative little rug to suit the novice collector.

Hand knotted in the Ferahan district, West Persia, Ca 1875-1890. Size 150x98 cms, 4'11"x3'3".

A beautiful rug with the appearance of real age, showing slight but even all-over wear, with a beautifully detailed "Herati" design on white ground. Finely knotted at around 255/sq inch. There are a couple of minute, repaired breaks along the side cords. The ends have each lost a couple of knot rows but generally the rug is in good order for its age. An elegant rug with a beautiful design and excellent colours.

Hand knotted in the Caucasus, probably Daghestan province (Leshgi?), Ca 1870-1880. Size 131x100 cms, 4'4"x3'4".

This is a great, original and "funky" rug, a perfect example to use when illustrating the spontaneity of early village work from this remote region. Everywhere you look there is evidence of a free-spirited weaver who clearly had a great feel for proportions and colour harmony, yet displays a fantastic playful creativity in her work. In terms of design there are comparable examples from the Gendje region in NW Azerbaijan, yet in weave and choice of colours it belongs much further east, probably Daghestan. The light colour palette helps in creating a most attractive piece that must be placed on the wall as a great and rare example of Caucasian folk art. In excellent condition with only one small reweave along the lower short end, it has original side cords and only natural dyes. Ref: U Schurmann, Caucasian Rugs, Pl 125, and N Fokker, Caucasian Rugs, Pl 67.

Hand knotted in the Akstafa district, Shirwan province, East Caucasus, Ca 1870-80. Size 174x95 cms, 5'9"x3'2".

A finely knotted rug of a rare and sought after group usually attributed to the Akstafa region. The main features of this group are the narrow, oblong format, the ground and border colours which are usually as seen here, and the regular, fine knotting. This piece is in excellent condition throughout. For references, see R. Benardout, Caucasian Rugs, . 47, and I. Bennett, Caucasian Rugs, Pl. 219-221.

Hand knotted in the Karadja-Meshkin village district, NW Persia, Ca 1910-1920. Size 135x114 cms, 4'6"x3'10".

A pleasant little village rug, woven on cotton with hand spun, long staple wool pile knotted in the Turkish symmetrical knot on parallell warps, giving the back a tight, smooth finish. The colours are all natural, the condition very good apart from minimal loss at each short end (now secured).

Hand knotted in the east Persian town of Meshed, Ca 1920-30. Size 163x135 cms, 5'5"x4'5".

This is quite an exceptional small Meshed rug, falling in size between the two traditional formats zaronim and dozar. The weave is super fine for a wool rug, at approx 400 knots pr square inch, placing it way above the norm for Meshed rugs of this period. It may well be a smaller "model" woven by Saber, famous for their exceptionally fine larger carpets of this appearance and quality. In perfect condition throughout.

Hand knotted in the Chahar Mahal region of the Zagros mountains, SW Persia, Ca 1910-20. Size 203x121 cms, 6'8"x4'.

This is a curious rug, at first sight clearly the work of settled Bahtkiari tribesmen from Chahar Mahal but, looking at the weave structure, more likely being woven by the Lori tribal group from the same general region. In full pile, good natural colours, original sidecords and end finishes, free of repair. The only aspect that keeps it at a very modest price level is the slight overcrowding of design, otherwise a great rug.

Hand knotted by Tekke Turkoman weavers, settled in N.W. Afhanistan, Ca 1920-30. Size 168x121 cms, 5'7"x4'.

A pretty rug with good, natural colours, good wool, an open and restful design and preserved in excellent condition throughout. Not an important collectors' rug but a good, solid furnishing rug, woven in a village setting and not a ten-a-penny rug produced in Russian factories, all at a very reasonable price.

Hand knotted by semi-nomadic Tekke Turkoman weavers, Merv district, S.W. Turkmenistan, Ca 1900. Size 209x115 cms, 6'11"x3'10".

A very nice, tactile and glossy Tekke "Bokhara" rug, unusually elongated and therefore well suited to a multiple of placings in the home. A good, solid rug with strong wool and near full pile, good natural colours, original side cords, no loss (except for kilim finishes) at the short ends and generally in very good shape.

Hand knotted by nomadic Lori weavers, Zagros/Fars region, S.W. Persia, Ca 1900. Size 188x131 cms, 6'2"x4'4".

A striking rug featuring white cotton pile in the "animal head" medallion outlines, creating a striking lift to the colours and the composition in general. A decorative rug, highly suitable for wall display where it would ignite a cold, blank wall in need of a kick. Apart from some minor spots of repiling and slight spot wear the rug is in good order with original kilim ends and side cords intact. All colours are natural and this piece is a bargain!

Hand knotted in the town of Tabriz, probably in the Hadji Jalil studios, N.W.Persia, Ca 1900-1910. Size 176x123 cms, 5'10"x4'3".

This group of Tabriz pieces, found both in "dozar" rug sizes and large carpets, are highly desirable on the furnishing markets, especially in the US. They have a faded (literally) elegance with soft colours and elegant curvilinear designs, usually a centre medallion as seen here. The dyes were known to fade which curiously has helped them meet with great popularity, fitting into elegant interior schemes very easily. Some care has to be taken when cleaning these pieces but they are hard wearing and extremely popular. In good condition apart from minute spots of slight wear and tiny spots of repairs along side cords and end finishes.

Hand knotted in the Hamadan province of west Persia, probably in the Zageh village district, Ca 1920-30. Size 208x150 cms, 6'10"x4'11".

A very robust and well woven rug with dense pile and thick, full pile throughout. All the dyes are natural (washable) and if you are looking for an old, hard wearing yet original rug in mint condition, at a reasonable price, set to last for generations and hold or rise in value, this is one to consider. Ref: Tad Runge, "One Woman One Weft", Pl. 65

Hand knotted in the district of Enjilas, Hamadan province, West Persia, ca 1915-1925. Size 199x146 cms, 6'7"x4'10".

A finely knotted rug from Enjilas (Ingelas)where occasionally, in older pieces, you come across rather exceptional rugs with high knot density and an elegant, sofisticated look. This is one of those examples, in excellent condition throughout with full pile and original ends and sides, free of repairs. All dyes are natural. For references see J P Willborg "Hamadan", Pl. 25

Hand knotted in the Malayer village district, Hamadan province, West Persia, Ca 1890. Size 195x136 cms, 6'5"x4'6".

A very beautiful example of the rare late 19th C Malayers with fine, glossy wool and great natural colours. The design is beautifully drawn and the colour combinations excellently put together. Note the lovely sky blue vine and Lotus head border meander. Apart from the loss of one or two knot rows and each short end the rug is in full pile and generally excellent condition. Ref: Aschenbrenner, Oriental Rugs, Vol. 2, Persian.., Pl. 65

Hand knotted in the Sultanabad (Arak) district of west Persia, Ca 1910. Size 210x131 cms, 6'11"x4'4".

A very decorative rug, at first sight with all the appearance of one of the Hamadan province villages although its double wefted structure of blue cotton strands places it in the Arak region. The combination of a midnight indigo field with much open space, and the narrow borders in predominantly light colours makes a dramatic impression. All dyes are natural, the condition very good throughout with virtually full pile, one short end fully original with the opposite end secured, no other repairs or alterations.

Hand knotted in the Ferahan region, possibly Meighan district, West Persia, Ca 1900-1910. Size 203x130 cms, 6'8"x4'4".

A finely woven double-wefted piece with a design that clearly originates in the Ferahan tradition. Rugs of this type are sometimes referred to as "Ferahan Sarouks" in the trade but the majority of such pieces have a hexagonal inner field with a small centre medallion. This rug has a rather individual interpretation of the Herati all-over design, with a "turtle vine" border commonly used in the region. The rug has very glossy, high quality wool and excellent natural colours, in full pile throughout. The original end finishes and sidecords remain intact.

Hand knotted in the Ferahan valley region, Arak district, west Persia, Ca 1880-1890. Size 197x127 cms, 6'6"x4'3".

Ivory ground antique Oriental rugs have always been top of the list in the decorators' markets with a big premium attached to the light ground alone, sometimes regardless of the intrinsic quality of the rug. During the boom years we could never get close to these treasures which invariably ended up in New York or California. This is a beautiful example with superb design and colouring, with charming birds and acanthus leaves in the field. To us it's the kind of rug that should ideally be hung on a wall where it would transmit calm and warmth to an entire room - however it's in good enough condition despite its age to be placed on the floor. Good pile throughout, original side cords and lower end kilim intact, no restoration work.

For references, see Bernheimer, London, 1987 exhibition, pl. 22, and P Bausback, Mannheim, 1981 exhibition, p. 84 and 85.

Hand knotted by Kurdish weavers from the town of Bidjar, west Persia, Ca 1900-1910. Size 196x136 cms, 6'6"x4'6".

A very similar Bidjar to the piece that decorated our May Weekend exhibition cover. Although the main design and colour choices are highly similar, many differences are found in minor details in both borders and field, suggesting the two may have been woven by the same weavers. The May example had a very slight edge in allowing more open spaces, creating a calmer impression. However, like the May piece, this rug is a cracking good Bidjar of very robust weave, in full pile throughout, with beautiful natural colours and a life expectancy of generations.

Hand knotted in the town of Kashan, Central Persia, Ca 1910-20. Size 203x126 cms, 6'3"x4'2".

Souf rugs feature a complex twin technique of flatwoven ground into which all design elements are knotted in pile, thus creating a relief, three dimensional effect. This example from Kashan, where the technique was most often encountered, is an exquisite example of its kind (the photograph does it no justice). The knot count element is a very tight 460 pr sq inch, knotted into a dense warp/weft of pure silk. The rug is in untouched, original condition, no repairs, all ends and sides intact and unrepaired. It was sourced in a private Scandinavian collection where it has hung on a wall for several decades.

Hand knotted in the Sarouk region of West Persia, Ca 1930. Size 7'8"x4'8", 233x142 cms.

A handsome, tightly knotted and decorative rug in a most unusual size for the style of design - most of the so-called "city rugs" (Kashans, Isfahans, Kermans, Tabrizes) are usually in the "dozar" format around 200x130 cms or else in larger carpet sizes from 3 x 2 mtrs upwards. This elegant rug fills a size gap in any Oriental rug dealer's stock and it's a good piece, in full pile, a knot count of over 300 pr square inch and good dyes.

Hand knotted in the region south of Gendje and north of Karabagh, NW Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, Ca 1880-90. Size 240x110 cms, 7'11"x3'8".

This rug is to many the epitome of Caucasian rugs: powerful "geometric" design, brilliant and clear (all natural) colours, thick and glossy wool pile rich on lanolin and a most attractive, supple handle. The quirky details immediately show the rug was woven freestyle and not from later, sterile workshop designs. In superb condition throughout with original sidecords and end finishes fully intact. There are a couple of minute and well executed reweaves in centre field.

Ref: Schurrman, Caucasian Rugs, Pl 31 and Ian Bennett, Caucasian Rugs, Pl 117 and 152.

Hand knotted in the village district of Karadja, N.W. Persia, Ca 1870-80. Size 218x154 cms, 7'2"x5'1".

This early pair of Karadja rugs are both highly unusual and extremely attractive. To find a pair of village rugs like this is rare enough - normally you only come across pairs in the elegant town rugs from the likes of Kashan or Tabriz. Furthermore the pair are very different from the more commercial work woven around 1900 and onwards: the open space, the beautiful, clear colours and the superb proportions prompts a comparison with many of the Kazak group of rugs, woven only 100 miles further north but commanding hugely higher prices in the international collectors' market. In very good condition apart from very slight spot wear and minute loss to both short ends on both rugs.

Hand knotted by semi-nomadic Afshari tribal weavers from the Kerman province, southern Persia, Ca 1900-1910. Size 197x157 cms, 6'6"x5'2".

Antique Afshar rugs are increasingly rare and therefore also highly collectible among rug enthusiasts worldwide. Striking designs in bold and brilliant, natural colours, with lots of quirky detail adding spark to a very stylish, well proportioned tribal design. All these genuine, early tribal pieces were one-of-a-kind creations, woven by exceptionally skilled women who worked "freestyle" from memory. This is all a far cry from the horrid, sterile "tribal rugs" mass produced in factories throughout the Orient today, full of runny chemical dyes and finished off with a killer dose of chemical bleach..

In very good condition throughout with original sidecords with only minor oversewing, minute loss of 1-2 knot rows at one end with the opposite end original, good pile apart from tiny spots of very slight wear.

Hand knotted by Quashq'ai tribal weavers, Fars province, SW Persia (Iran), Ca 1910. Size 7'2"x4'7", 228x138 cms.

A very handsome Quashq'ai rug with soft colours and lustrous wool, the field with a spontaneous arrangement of boteh motifs with matching boteh forms in the corners. In good condition throughout apart from small spots of slight wear.

Hand knotted by the nomadic Quashq'ai tribal group, probably Shishbolouki subtribe, Fars province, S.W. Persia, Ca 1880. Size 249x137 cms, 8'2"x4'6".

This beautiful antique example of Quashq'ai weaving exemplifies the degree of sofistication on part of the Quashq'ai women in their choice of colours and design. Oozing of tribal, spontaneous character, this is a finely woven rug with beautiful shades of organic (natural) dyes. There are areas of slight wear but also areas of near full pile, showing minute loss at each short end and minor repairs to the side cords. Despite its slightly imperfect condition, these rugs - examples of a long gone tribal art form - are actively sought after by collectors and decorators alike.

Hand knotted by nomadic Khamseh tribal weavers, Fars province, S.W. Persia, Ca 1860-80. Size 239x160 cms, 7'10"x5'4" excl kilims.

Original tribal rugs with this kind of complete, uninhibited spontaneity are rare objects today - to find anything with such originality and tribal character you must go well back into the 19th C which means most pieces on offer are worn, torn, full of repairs and without the original kilim ends.

This beautiful rug has superb (all natural) colours plus most of its original flatwoven kilim ends and most of its original sidecords intact. There are some old spots of reweave and other minor repairs to side cords and corners but by and large, this example of a wonderful and lost era in tribal rug culture is a cracker and a reminder of what these rare rugs once looked like.

For related examples, see J. Opie "Tribal Rugs of Southern Persia", pages 76/77 and 86/87.

Hand knotted by nomadic Tekke Turkoman weavers, S.W. Turkmenistan, Ca 1870-80. Size 303x227 cms, 10'x7'6".

An exceptionally good example of a late 19th C Tekke main carpet, very finely woven in top quality wool pile with superb natural gloss. The weavers display an extraordinary level of artistic skill and technical weaving ability, yet working the highly complex design totally from memory - look at the beautiful border with endless quirky spontaneity, in stark contrast to late mass produced factory work from Russian factories. The carpet has a large variety of top class natural colours, including a rare yellow in the "elem" ends. A truly wonderful carpet from a sought after group of nomadic weaving, in pristine condition throughout with full pile, original (but overbound) sidecords and part of the original end kilims intact. The photograph does not at all do the piece justice.

Hand knotted in the village district of Georavan, Heriz region, N.W. Persia (Iran), Ca 1890-1900. Size 11'10"x9'2", 361x281 cms.

This carpet is a highly decorative Georavan carpet of fairly coarse texture but with exceptional colour. The natural dyes are text book examples of what they should look like, all shades very clear but subtle, working superbly together. Despite its age the pile is almost full in most areas apart from minor spot wear and one small repair ca 2 square inches. A beautiful thing of real age and very hard to find as international trade pays a high premium for carpets of this colour quality.

Hand knotted by Kurdish weavers from the town of Bidjar, west Persia, Ca 1900-1920, size 376x272 cms, 12'4"x9'.

A superb carpet and a classical example of Bidjar weaving. The floral medallion design is clearly inspired by more elegant carpet weaving towns like Kashan and Isfahan but the weave, the thickness of pile and the glorious, all natural colours are top class Bidjar work. No carpets beat Bidjars in terms of durability and this piece, although at least 90 years old, shows no signs whatever of wear although it has been (lovingly) used for all that time. In perfect condition throughout with full pile, original end finishes and side cords, free of restoration. A rare find and a carpet that will last for many generations to come.

Another image of Lot # 8628. Size 376x272 cms, 12'4"x9'.

Hand knotted in the Andkhoi region of NW Afghanistan, Ca 1935-45. Size 400x280 cms, 13'2"x9'3".

A traditional Afghan village carpet with the large, octagonal gol motifs sometimes referred to as "elephant's feet". Old Afghani examples in good condition are, like all Old Oriental carpets, becoming hard to find and as the local markets in Afghanistan are cleared out of anything genuine or old, prices will continue to rise. This restful example would make the perfect dining room carpet; generally in good condition apart from a few minor reweaves in the field.