1880s Rugs and Carpets

19th century antique Tekke rug with brown field and tribal motifs in red, rug g-1004, country of origin / type: Russia / Tribal, circa 1900 This pi...

Ferahan Sarouk Museum Quality MUSEUM QUALITY Ferahan Sarouk, third quarter 19th century 6.6 x 4.5 feet From a USA collector Ferahan Sarouk carpets produced around the wider Arak (formerly Sultanabad) area from about 1850-1910 earned a deserved reputation as amongst the most desirable and imaginative finely woven carpets in Persia. As these things go, they morphed in style around 1910- 1920 into the differently woven Mahajirhan Sarouk fashion (quality examples of which are also in demand) and then disappeared entirely. Their desirability rests not only on fine weaving, and excellent wool. Many of the better examples were commissioned by aristocrats or wealthy merchants who encouraged creativity, in an actively competitive way; rugs during this period, as before, were direct illustrations of an individual’s wealth, power and prestige. Beyond this lay a more fundamental and seemingly contradictory set of motivations by the weavers. At one and the same time they sought to emulate the great court carpets in finesse and design. And yet-- they applied rustic or village, and even tribal elements and nuances to their designs. The result was a cavalcade of creativity. So, a village-based genre came into being which produced primarily an approx. 6x4 rug size format, and also provided, if more rarely, larger formats, which command increasingly high prices, due to their rarity, visual excitement and grandeur. The artistic achievement of this “school” had to do with marrying elegance and a degree of formalism with whimsy, and design innovation. They offer a charm and a certain magic beyond that of court and most city carpets. As in any area or era, there is a quality spectrum ranging from mediocre to highly superior. Superiority is judged of course as to weave and wool quality. It is rather unusual, though, to encounter pieces made before 1890 -which are bona fide Ferahan Sarouks- with poor wool or weaving: standards were upheld during this period, and natural dyes were widely employed, particularly in the wider Arak (then Sultanabad) region. Thus, as an investment collectible to adorn the home we believe the ultimate criterion is aesthetics, this being an art form, after all. Ferahan Sarouks have been a special area of interest for us over the decades both from artistic and investment perspectives. Allowing for personal taste, our suggestions are few and simple. A Ferahan Sarouk ought to display a wide colour palette, fine drawing and delicate, sometimes “intense “ detail. The finest pieces also display an elevated sense of balance in the use of space. We have seen many finely woven pieces which in our view are garish and lack one of the two key artistic elements intrinsic to the better examples of this genre – elegance. Sometimes they are overly cluttered; the drawing artistry is muddled or lost. In other cases odd and ineffective design devices are used, detracting from or interfering with an otherwise good design. The era of the Ferahan Sarouk was rife with experiments, not all of them successful. The other important attribute, when it can be found, is original artistic creativity, even serendipity, -- or effective design innovation within the compass of this rug type and the unique standards of its prime period. On average, we examine between 30-40 antique Ferahan Sarouks to achieve one acquisition, for the benefit of our clients. This highly collectible more than 150-year-old carpet is an apex achievement of superior artistry and innovation. As an exemplar of its genre, it can be reasonably described as Museum quality, a term we do not often employ. Please observe the stunning precision of the inner guard and its pinpoint sharp hooks. The elongation of the central medallion is one of its subtle but powerful innovations in form. The nod to asymmetry – which displays a refined sense of humour - is seen in the use of the small diamond figures, as one is deliberately missing from the right hand side: a wry nod to asymmetry, in an otherwise perfectly symmetrical creation. The ultimate achievement here is in the fineness of the weaving itself, on close inspection. The herati pattern in the medallion and corners achieves an etched-on quality, a very uncommon level of attention to detail and perfectionism: clearly the work of a master. This artistic sense extends to the outer ground which is a superb example of the most subtle abrash, one of the most refined we have had the honor of viewing. The unusual beige/brown tones in the field were probably achieved by adding onion skins to the die vat. These extremely fine gradations of colour are rarely seen.(NB the colour photographs create a slightly misleading- overly yellow burnish to the field colour in spite of expert photographic efforts ) . The deliberate choice of an ink black use of indigo provides a powerful frame (border) for this piece of art, which note in the lower right-hand corner is lifted slightly through abrash to a deep blue – to highlight the design and use of emerald green in the rosettes. The green shades lighten as the border ascends harmonizing with the tones in the central medallion. The floating flow of flowers in the border is beautifully executed, with up to seven colours in a single figure. No doubt a piece commissioned by an aristocrat around 1870, it is – remarkably- in virtually perfect condition. It appears to have had very minimal footwear, and great care; a piece which was proudly displayed from time to time and appreciated. Its density and strong foundation would however allow regular use within a home, and in a spacious contemporary home or office could make a wall hanging of striking impact. This remarkable one of a kind piece is on short term reduction to coincide with our launch on 1st Dibs . Fair market value is approximately $22,000 . Fine art as investment ? The WSJ made the following comments this year : The vigor of the art market may seem counterintuitive, but it makes sense in the current environment,” economist Tyler Cowen recently wrote in The Washington Post. “First, many of the wealthy have been buying additional homes and wish to furnish them with art. Second, the recent run-up in inflation rates around the world has intensified the search for hedges.” While the aforementioned artworks fall into traditional categories, some less-prominent forms of fine art also represent ideal investment opportunities, especially because they offer more attractive—i.e., significantly less costly—entry points for new collectors. Take high-collectible and connoisseur-caliber antique Oriental rugs, for example. The best 19th-century examples often sell privately between five figures and low six figures. Today, that obscurity is fading. According to Ben Evans, the editor of Hali Magazine—a publication dedicated to the international rug and textile market—there are two primary factors to explain why antique rugs are beginning to enjoy their moment in the spotlight. “Cultural curiosity and collecting...

The Caucasus is bounded by the rugged mountains and lush valleys of Kurds Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. This cultural melting pot was populated by Armenian dyers and weavers, Azer...

An unusual Tibetan tiger rug This Tibetan rug is very rare, and it's in a very good condition! The colors are amazing and it would make a stunning ad...

Large antique Oushak rug with all-over floral design in soft vermilion red, taupe, light green, gray and light orange rug/G-0102, Turkish antique Oush...

This Persian Qashqai carpet, circa 1880 consists of a pure handspun wool warp, weft and hand knotted pile and organic vegetable dyes. It demonstrates the Classic playful geometric st...

This Kuba Caucasian flat sumak weave carpet has an excellent natural dye palette including madder red, indigo blue, weld yellow and composite greens, all in a Classic "Dragon" design...

Antique Persian Serapi Rug from 19th century, Keivan Woven Arts / rug /TRA-0781, country of origin / type: Iran / Serapi , circa 1890. Measures: 9' x 11'5 With an adaptation of anc...

An exquisite 19th-century Caucasian Shirvan area rug, masterfully handwoven in the historic Azerbaijan region of the southern Caucasus. This authentic village rug features a rare and...

Antique Bakhshayesh rug 2'4'' x 4'4''.

Feraghans were made between the 1870s and 1913 from a region north of the town of Arak, produced for the Persian aristocracy. They are single wefted, long and narrow or room-sized ca...

This antique Seraband Persian carpet in handspun camel wool is hand knotted in a Persian Seraband weave and uses organic vegetal dyes, circa 1880. Characterized by its unique colorat...

19th Century Persian Tabriz Haji Jalili Carpet ( 7'8" x 14'3" - 234 x 434 )

Vintage Persian Farahan with a Botanical Design in Abrash Pale Blue/Green, Navy Blue, and Red. One of the most beautiful Persian Farahan area rugs in our collection. Astonishingly be...

This antique 9x17 Persian rug is a rare curation of intriguing provenance. Hand-knotted in wool, it’s believed to originate circa 1880-1890. Further On the Design: This antique pie...

Unique Marasali prayer rug attributed to the Marasali group, this prayer rug from the Shirvan region has a brilliant golden-yellow field and a diam...

19th Century W. Persian Bijar Carpet , Size: 11'3" x 18'

19th Century Turkish Oushak Carpet ( 14' 9" x 15' - 450 x 457 )

19th Century N.E. Persian Khorassan Moud Carpet ( 9'9" x 12'2" - 297 x 370 )

Handwoven in wool from Russia originating between 1880-1890, a 6x9 antique Verneh kilim enjoying a union of tasteful geometry & impeccable artistic interp...

Antique Bakhshayesh measures 11'4'' x 17'2''.

19th Century Persian Serab Runner Carpet ( 3'2" x 15'6" - 97 x 472 )

Hand knotted in high-quality wool originating from Turkey between 1880-1890, this antique Kayseri rug enjoys one of the most naturally luminous gol...

This hand knotted antique Sivas wool rug originates from Turkey between 1880-1890, enjoying an intriguing layering of chilling blue and bronze colorways with a dimensional, uncommon ...

Kuba rug from eastern Caucasus,west coast of the Caspian Sea Age: dated 1302=1884 Christian date Measurements: 3′.9"x2′.10" (114×86 cm) The unusual field pattern is composed of ge...

Vintage Oushak rugs are a type of handwoven rug that originated in Turkey. These rugs are known for their soft, muted color palettes, with beige and tan being particularly popular sh...

Hand-knotted in wool originating from Turkey circa 1880-1890, this 3 x 5 rug is a handmade antique Anatolian rug featuring an uncommon geometric floral patt...

19th Century Chinese Ningxia Carpet ( 9'10" x 12' - 300 x 365 )

Antique Mohtasham Kashan Rug 4'6'' x 6'6''.

Made with hand-knotted wool circa 1880-1900, this 3x6 antique Persian rug of Sarouk Farahan provenance is a rare and gorgeous collectible of its weaving tradition—an exciting new cla...

Bessarabian kilim carpet from Moldova Age: circa 1880 Dimensions: 9′.2″x5′.7″ (279×170 cm) This carpet is woven in slit tapestry,pileless technique,but it is thick and firm enough...

19th Century N.W. Persian Bakshaiesh Carpet ( 5'9" x 12'6" - 175 x 380 )

19th Century Persian Senneh Rug ( 2' x 2'10" - 62 x 86 )

Antique Mohtasham Kashan rug 4'4'' x 6'7''. From the 1880s period of the Great Persian Carpet Revival, this urban, fine weave, central Iranian sca...

Late 19th Century Persian Tabriz Haji Jalili Rug ( 1'9" x 2'3" - 54 x 68 )

This is an antique Turkish Ushak rug, circa 1880s. Composed of complementary tones of beautiful apple, yellow, green and hints of light soft pinks. ...

19th Century French Needlepoint Carpet ( 6' x 16' - 183 x 488 )

19th Century Persian Ziegler Sultanabad Carpet ( 7' x 14' - 213 X 427 )

This Antique Khotan Silk Rug is a splendid example of East Turkestan craftsmanship, showcasing a fusion of cultural designs that blend elements from China,...

This exceptional antique collectible khotan rug from Turkestan, Central Asia, dates back to the 1880s. Crafted with meticulous care through hand-knotting techniques, this vintage rug...

Introducing our exquisite antique collectible rug, originating from Azerbaijan in the late 19th century, circa 1880. This vintage rug boasts a rich history, hand-knotted with meticul...

19th Century Persian Haji Jalili Tabriz Carpet ( 9'4'' x 12' - 285 x 366 )

Late 19th Century Chinese Ningxia Carpet ( 4'4" x 7' - 132 x 213 cm )

American Hooked Rug From 1870s ( 3'1" x 6'1" - 94 x 185 cm )

19th Century N.W. Persian Bakshaiesh Runner Carpet 3'4'' x 11'8'' - 102 x 356

19th Century Chinese Peking Carpet ( 7'9" x 8'1" - 236 x 246 )

Late 19th Century Chinese Peking Carpet ( 8'8" x 11'5" - 264 x 248 )

Late 19th Century Chinese Peking Carpet ( 3'2" x 7' - 97 x 214 cm )

This “Bakshayesh” period/quality NW Persian rare format long carpet shows a delightfully abrashed madder field with developed end spandrels featuring feathery trees, flowers and wonk...

19th Century Chinese Peking Carpet ( 4'2" x 6'8" - 127 x 203 )

Late 19th Century Chinese Peking Carpet ( 9' x 11' 8'' - 275 x 355 cm )

19th Century Persian Sarouk Farahan Carpet ( 8' 8" x 11' 8" - 265 x 355 cm )

Antique Lavar Kerman Rug 12'2'' x 19'11''.

Antique Kashan rug. Measures: 6.11'' x 10.2''.

Late 19th Century Turkish Oushak Carpet ( 9' x 12' - 270 x 365 cm )

19th Century Turkish Oushak Carpet ( 10'5'' x 11'10'' - 317 x 360 cm )

The Ghashghai nomads are found in the Fars province in the southwest of Iran. They move twice a year, between the winter pasture near the Persian Gulf and the summer pasture up in th...

Late 19th Century Persian Lavar Kirman Carpet ( 9'10" x 17'4" - 300 x 530 )