5' x 7'6"

  

KERMAN 19th Century

A masterpiece of Kerman craftsmanship. Some obscure weaver has tied more than a half million knots to bring this rug to completion. The detail is sharp and clear. The colors are soft and beautifully blended. Apparently this skilled craftsman faced the same problems as most weavers do when all the wool is not dyed in one lot. The light blue yarn he was using had to be replenished more than ten times. Each new dye-lot gave him a different shade of blue. In his last dye-lot he was most successful in achieving a deep blue. The treatment of the landscape, the gazelles, and the pheasants is delightfully imaginative.
     
     

4'7" x 5'7"

  

BIDJAR (VAGIREH) Early 19th Century

An exquisite example of a Kurdish sampler or Vagireh. The purpose of this sampler was to take orders for a rug which would be woven to the customer's liking. There are several field patterns and choice of several borders. The field color of terra-cotta red remains the basic background color. With all good intentions, the finished rug will never be as expected. In this sampler, the color variation or abrash of the background red is a solid indication that the poor weaver had to dye seven of more batches of wool as they became available to finish the rug. The variation to us makes it that much more desirable. The weavers are usually illiterate young girls whose childish pleasure is shown by including two stylized roosters and the third one started not finished.
     
     

4'6" x 7'9"

  

KESHAN - SILK & SILVER 19th Century

This 19th century masterpiece is one of a kind, in craftsmanship and intricacy rivaled only by those 17th and 18th century carpets made of silk, silver and gold which were intended as gifts between royalty. The embossed effect is created by two sculptured levels of silk contrasting with a flat-weave of silver-wrapped threads. The extreme tightness of the weave is more extraordinary when one realizes that the silver-wrapped strands could not have been easy to work with. Also in keeping with the exquisite craftsmanship is the choice of rich, subtle colors and the quality of the silk. Despite its age the rug glows with fresh color and cleanly etched patterning. The main border has as additional interest the miniature-like scenes of Persian palaces and gardens. An extremely choice and unusual rug.
     
     


4'4" x 6'6"

  

SAROUK Late 19th Century

Sarouk is one of the most famous names in Persian rugs. These rugs come from a small village that is completely isolated at the base of the mountains. The road to Sarouk ends at the village. This classic Sarouk rug was woven with one large central medallion on an ivory field. The rug is finely woven, using the best of wools and dyes, the nap clipped low to give a firm texture. These older Sarouk rugs of floral design rank with the most sophisticated floral rugs woven in the cities. Sarouks of the last generation have been equally well made but with a heavier texture. Such rugs enjoy a reputation second to none.
     
     
 

SENNA SADDLE COVER Late 19th Century

This Senna saddle cover with its open, dark blue field is so finely woven that the rug has a texture of velvet or brocade. The slits to accommodate the saddle were woven carefully. Note the complete border around the pommel opening. The strong contrasting shades of lavender, madder and coral are cleverly blended with contrasts of lemon yellow. Unquestionably this was a trapping for the horse of a wealthy and important person.