Antique Spanish Rug 43430

Antique Spain, late nineteenth centuryAn oval cameo medallion surrounded by a wreath of leafy branches floats airily within a rich gold open field on this extraordinary antique. A surrounding array of leafy rococo scrolls on a paler yellow ground comprises a system of cornerpieces, framed dramatically by a narrow border of garlands on a jet-black ground. The entire composition is further enclosed by cocoa outer zone, with floral corner crests set against the border.  Much of the palette is in soft pastel tones, but it is the brilliant use of the saturated gold and black tones that makes this piece so uniquely effective as a decorative carpet.