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Specialists in Antique Carpets, Rugs, Kilims & Textiles
Rug weaving is believed by many to have its origins some 3,000 years ago in Central Asia with the forebears of Turkic or other populations who later migrated westward into Anatolia,Turkey and south into Persia, modern day Iran.
Over centuries of subsequent migration, changing economic conditions and political allegiances, the weavers from the tribes, villages and court workshops established their own regional identities. This was most vividly reflected in their fabled rugs and carpets treasured in Europe and elsewhere in the world since at least the Middle Ages.
Collectible Rugs & Kilims
For more than forty years we have specialised in the buying and selling of the finest old and antique Persian rugs, Oriental carpets, kilims and textiles. Our focus has been the rugs and artefacts of the last two centuries from Persia (Iran), Turkey, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Indonesia.
Each object is chosen with the care, knowledge and discriminating eye wrought of more than four decades in the trade worldwide. Our clientele includes collectors, public galleries and museums.
Collectible rugs
Decorative Rugs & Carpets
Decorative rugs and carpets are chosen primarily for their aesthetic and harmonious qualities – to enhance our living spaces. A beautiful carpet or rug should be the crowning furnishing piece for any living or dining area, something that inspires – not simply fits in the room.
Decorators and designers know that it is always wise to plan around the items their clients treasure most, such as their favourite antique Oriental rug. Only then can decisions be made as to wall colours, soft furnishings etc.
Decorative Rugs
Exhibitions
Our modus operandi has been to hold regular exhibitions of “Recent Acquisitions” and thematic exhibitions of old and antique rugs, occasionally with catalogues under the banner of “Rare Oriental Rugs”.
Such exhibitions serve to focus attention and provide important information on the cultures, tribes and people who produced these wonderful weavings and other objects. In the mid 1980s we expanded our interests to include Indonesian and other Southeast Asian textiles and tribal art. Today, four decades later, we continue in this same vein.
Exhibitions
Caucasian rugs
Including Karabagh, Kazak, Shirvan, Kuba and Daghestan. Old oriental rugs from the Caucasus have long been collected for their great artistic qualities.The Victoria & Albert Museum had collected the bulk of their Caucasian rugs by the 1880s.
Central Asian & Chinese rugs
From the Turkmen, Uzbek, Kirghiz and weavers of western China to the Baluch of eastern Persia. Many people consider the origins of the knotted pile rug go back to Central Asia, a melting pot of ancient rug weaving cultures.
Indian & other Carpets & Textiles
Spectacular carpets from the looms of northern India have their origins in the Moghul courts and palaces of the 16th and 17th centuries and textiles have been central to Indian culture and, through trade over centuries, a defining influence on so many cultures from Indonesia to Europe.
Persian tribal & village rugs
Rugs and kilims of the Qashqa’i, Afshar, Khamseh and Luri tribes of southern Persia. The women of the Qashqa’i are considered amongst the most skilful of all Persian carpet weavers. Different groups such as the Bakhtiyari and Kurds were both settled and nomadic tribespeople
Southeast Asian textiles & tribal art
Batik and Ikat are historically and culturally prominent weaving and dyeing techniques found in Indonesian textile art. Such traditional woven cloths are amongst the finest produced in southeast Asia and Indonesia. The power and presence of Indonesian tribal sculpture is compelling.
Turkish rugs & kilims
From Thrace and west Anatolia, to Konya, Karapinar in the centre and Malatya in eastern Anatolia. Oriental rugs from Anatolia reflect the ancient traditions of Central Asian pastoral nomads and earlier indigenous populations.