Traders of Oriental Rugs and carpets since 1975
From the mid 1970s both Irene and Ross Langlands have been closely involved in the world of Antique dealing associations and as supporters, donors and vendors to many public art institutions. Ross has been president of the Antique Dealers Association of NSW, President of the Oriental Rug Society of NSW and both are life members. They are Governors of the Art Gallery of NSW and Associates of the Powerhouse Museum.
Both are founding members of The Asian Art Society of Australia (TAASA).
TAASA was conceived at the first meeting of the Steering Committee held in Nomadic Rug Traders’ yurt on exhibit at the Powerhouse Museum.
From modest beginnings in Rose Bay…
In 1975 Nomadic Rug Traders opened the Rose Bay ‘match box’ in New South Head Road. Despite being cramped for space and severely undercapitalised, we sold our first rug, a very smart old Qashqa’i kilim, on our 2nd day out to the then The Australian art critic and by the end of the year there was light at the end of the tunnel.
The Surry Hills years
1978 saw our move to larger premises in Surry Hills.
This gave rise to more ambitious exhibitions. One of the most memorable was undoubtedly the first exhibition of ancient Coptic textiles in Australia. A resultant sale was to the Levi Strauss jeans company who requested the earliest piece of dyed indigo cloth we had in our Exhibition. We obliged with a 2nd century fragment of an indigo dyed tunic.
Exhibition of Coptic Textiles 1981
Ross, Irene and Tom Langlands and Ahmet Solak restorer.
Yurt exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum
Expanding, exhibitions and expertise in Pyrmont
1985 marked the move to bigger and better premises in the then less salubrious suburb of Pyrmont, our final resting place. Here over time we staged more than 50 exhibitions of old Oriental rugs under the banner of Rare Oriental Rugs, tribal art and textiles. Many in collaboration with well known international dealers, such as Clive Rogers from England and Mort Dimonstein, James Willis and Thomas Murray from the USA.
Mort Dimonstein, tribal art dealer, and Irene Langlands
Our 35th Anniversary exhibition
An Antique dealer’s Fair
AAADA Antique Fair
Exhibition poster in collaboration with Mort Dimondstein.
Rug restoration and cleaning
Here, in Pyrmont, we also extended out already flourishing Restoration and Cleaning business with new purpose built facilities.
The Year 2010 marked our 35th anniversary.
Australia’s leading dealers in antique Oriental carpets and rugs
Over the years we have participated in many Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association Fairs.
2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of Nomadic Rug Traders.
We are indebted to all our customers for the decades of wonderful support. Believe it or not we still have customers from our first years in Rose Bay.
Without their patronage and friendship, we would have not flourished and life would have not been half as much fun.
Celebrations at the NRT 35th Anniversary Exhibition
Irene and Ross Langlands in their Gallery
Suzani and Textiles of Uzbekistan 2023
After going back to bare floorboards, I remembered the serious-looking rug shop on Harris Street that had been there for decades. The large Esari rug we bought that day continues to deliver up surprises and we still contend we’ve not seen a better example anywhere. Since then we’ve acquired so many beautiful things from Ross and Irene – as well as a wealth of knowledge and a solid friendship.
In 2008 I discovered Nomadic Rug Traders, a treasure trove of wonderful, authentic central asian rugs. The proprietors, Irene and Ross Langlands are warm, friendly, welcoming people and full of fascinating stories about the rugs they offer and the travels they have done in obtaining them. I have bought rugs from them which date from the 1880s to the early 20th century; I live with these rugs and delight in them daily. Ross and Irene are truly ethical people and do not hesitate to point out where time has left its mark.
After over 40 years of friendship, your new Website does not disappoint me, indeed I don’t know how you can still maintain such excellence in your NRT Collection. But I do know of your knowledge and passion for the material culture of our region especially textiles. Congratulations
I bought two of your rugs for our bedroom as a 25th wedding anniversary present to myself a couple of years ago. I love them. Looking at them, walking on them, living with them. They’ve made my bedroom warmer and more interesting and they cheer me every day.
We’ve been buying Oriental rugs from Irene and Ross for more than 25 years. Their undisputed expertise ensures we feel confident of the provenance of each rug we’ve purchased, and their infectious enthusiasm for their beautiful pieces adds a special dimension to the experience.
We have watched your actual website with particular interest and must say we are really pleased: easy to navigate, good and concise content, clear photographs. Congratulations! Your hospitality as well your professionality and profound knowledge about textiles and tribal art are just amazing.
I highly recommend Nomadic Rug Traders who present the very best in antique rugs and textiles. Their stock is sourced globally and is of the highest standard of authenticity, originality and quality. Along with their outstanding quality stock, both Ross and Irene Langlands understand customer service and possess extensive information on the history of the rugs and textiles. Nothing is too much trouble. They are very professional, really nice people who ensure your inquiry and purchase is a pleasure.