Antique rugs: Older hand knotted Oriental rugs and Persian carpets – rugs pre-date 1910 with an estimated age of one hundred years or older.
Antique Rug Runners:
Antique Oriental Rugs
Antique Oriental rugs are defined as hand woven carpets made of natural fibers, with both warp and weft and created in the Near, Mid or Far-East (including the Balkans). An antique rug also must be over one hundred years old (19th century: early to mid 1800’s, thru 1850’s, 1860’s, 1870’s, 1880’s, 1890’s. 20th century; 1900, 1910.).
About Antique Rugs
Antique carpets and the antique rug market continue to gain tremendous momentum in recent years. The decorative value of an old antique hand knotted or hand woven antique carpet is virtually impossible to emulate in new rug weaving.
Outside of the collectible market of antique rugs, much of the mystique and decorative value in antique carpets stem from their designs and colors. Antique carpets with natural tone-on-tone, contrast, or exceedingly well rendered design (and design contrast) favor well to nearly all eyes.
Antique rugs are often comprised of two or fewer natural materials (other than dye). Antique carpets are usually wool, cotton, silk, or a combination. One of the most beautiful features of a healthy antique rug is a graceful aged pile; Antique carpets showing even patina and polished wool pile from respectful years of use are particularly coveted when considering condition and aesthetic.
The Finest Antique Rugs
While browsing our rugs, pay particularly close attention to the colors of our antique carpets. As with many of our rugs and carpets, the colors seen are the true, natural presence of the original artisan palette. Contrary to our antique rugs, unfortunately, many antique carpets on the market today have been subjected to acid washing techniques which accelerate the “appearance” of age and obliterate the true colors. A healthy and unadulterated antique rug should exhibit a natural aged patina through the normal oxidation process taking place over the course of many years.
An essential aspect of the beauty in an antique rug is its authentic and original colors. An exquisite antique rug will naturally show highly desirable, classic and timeless colors without augmentation.
The right antique carpets for your home will be the most cherished, most valued and most serviceable decorative items your living space.
Interesting Facts about Antique Rugs
- The oldest rug from antiquities ever discovered is the Pazyryk carpet estimated to be woven circa 400 B.C.
- The oldest known “twin carpets” are the renown Ardabil carpets.
- The most expensive publicly sold antique rug sold for $9.6 Million USD within the past decade.
Pazyryk Carpet: Oldest rug discovered
16th Century Safavid Twin Ardabil Carpets. Left: V&A Museum in London. Right: LACMA, USA. LACMA example shortened and sacrificed for repairs to larger V&A carpet.
Most Expensive carpet: 17th century ‘CLARK SICKLE-LEAF’ rug form Corcoran Gallery of Art sold in NYC on June 5th, 2013 at Sotheby’s Auction. Estimated price: 5-7 Million USD, sold for $33.765 Million USD
2d Most Expensive carpet: 17th century ‘Kirman Vase’ rug sold in London 2010 at Christie’s Auction for $9.6 Million USD