Hand knotted by Fatma Acarkoc, Orselli village, Yunt Dag, W Turkey. Size 210x78 cms, 6'11"x2'7" excl kilims.

A smart DOBAG runner of useful size - short and narrow runners are almost unheard of in traditional antique examples and occasionally the DOBAG women weave these desirable pieces.SIgned H.C., dated 2010.

Handknotted by settled Fars nomads, S.W. Persia, of recent make. Size 9'7"x3'3".

We keep a selection of the best Persian Gabbehs, using handspun, naturally dyed wools and individual, spontaneous designs. Solid, hard wearing and washable, set to last for many long years.

Hand knotted by Naime Cakir, Bektas village, Ayvacik region, NW Turkey, in 2010. Size 210x91 cms, 6'11"x3', excl kilims.

I couldn't resist this runner which contrasts starkly against the norm around Ayvacik in its rugged, charming appearance. The border arrangement is one more often seen in Yunt Dag DOBAGs much further south. A fun and original piece in every way, signed N.C.

Hand knotted by Melek Avkiran, Kecikaya village, Ayvacik region, NW Turkey. Size excl kilims 230x91 cms or 7'7"x3'.

Although weaving in many of the DOBAG villages around Ayvacik has ceased, we still encounter a small number of really nice pieces with imaginative design and good colour combinations. This lovely "half" runner, just arrived late October, is one of those, woven in "God's village" (Kecikaya) and signed by the weaver M.A.

Hand knotted in the Mehriban district, Hamadan Province, West Persia (Iran), Ca 1910-25. Size 291x100 cms, 9'7"x3'4".

A finely knotted runner (120 knots pr square inch) with high quality, glossy wool and excellent natural colours showing attractive "abrash" in places. Apart from a small spot of old discoloration in one corner in excellent condition throughout with original ends and side cords present.

Hand knotted by Zeliha Mezik, Orselli village, Yunt Dag, west Turkey, in 2009. Size 265x76 cms, 8'8"x2'6" excl kilims.

A very striking runner with a beautiful, fresh and light colour palette, lifted by the white border.Signed U.T. and dated 2009.

Hand knotted in the village district of Mehraban, Hamadan province, West Persia, Ca 1930. Size 10'6"x3'5", 320x104 cms.

A fresh and attractive runner in excellent condition, full pile throughout, all organic dyes,virtually free of repairs.

Hand knotted in the village district around Sarab, a town in NW Persia, Ca 1910-1925. Size 324 x 86 cms, 10'8"x2'10".

Another traditional runner from Sarab, on the attractive and characteristic light beige ground with a beautifully offset row of field medallions, inside the typical set of 3 borders.

Hand knotted in the Karadja village district, NW Persia, Ca 1900-1910. Size 342x98 cms, 11'3"x3'3".

A beautiful runner with the most glowing colours, all natural of course (no synthetic dyes would come close) and a quirky, yet well balanced design, in very good condition throughout apart from minute wear in small spots.

Hand knotted in the Heriz village district, N.W. Persia, Ca 1900-1910. Size 400x92 cms, 13'1"x3'.

A fresh and attractive runner in a range of light colours compared to the norm from this region. All dyes are natural, condition is very good apart from a few small areas of wear down the centre, side cords and end finishes original.

Hand knotted in the Sarab district of NW Persia (Iran), Ca 1910-20. Size 13'5"x3'2", 408x96 cms.

A really superb runner with great natural colours and good design, the ivory border giving it a fresh and attractive look. The condition is outstanding and, were it not for the wool warp and perfect natural colours, you would suspect it to be a good bit younger. The very thick pile looks untouched by feet, ends and sides original, no repairs. This piece will take another century of hard wear.

Hand knotted by Kurdish weavers from the Bidjar town area, West Persia, Ca 1870-90. Size No 8456: 14'9"x3'11" or 448x120 cms, No 8457: 14'11"x3'11", 454x120 cms.

A beautiful runner in good condition apart from slight but evenly distributed wear, yet with its side cords and part of the end finishes intact. The natural colours are beautifully soft and clear. A really good looker that would look superb in a period setting.

Hand knotted by semi-nomadic Baluch weavers from the Khorassan province, N.E. Persia, Ca 1910. Size 310x167 cms, 10'3"x5'6".

The various tribal groups generally placed under the umbrella name of "Baluch" mainly produced small, oblong rugs, either of "Mihrab" (prayer rug) design or a variety of all-over, abstract field arrangements. Long, broad pieces like this example were less common and to find an example like this, in virtually pristine order with full pile, original ends and sidecors, is an achievement. Most antique Baluch pieces were often destroyed by neglect and not considered of much value until recently - now they are much sought after by decorators and collectors alike, because of their sombre colourings and easy to place, rhythmic all-over designs.

Hand knotted in the Heriz region of N.W. Persia, Ca 1870-1890. Size 344x135 cms, 11'4"x4'6".

A truly rare and wonderful piece with the most exquisite colour and all-over design. Broad runners, known as kellei (or kelleh) in Iran, are very rare from this region, most of the few examples known woven well back in the 19th C. Note the lovely yellow border and the subtle "abrash" (natural dye changes) across the green zig-zag guards. The piece is in absolutely full, glossy pile throughout, with its original side cords intact and no evidence of restoration. If you have a wide entrance hall that requires something quite special, this is it.

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