Antique Bezalel Rug 8514

Bezalel Rug, Israel, Early 20th Century - Initially this lovely antique Bezalel impresses the viewer as a design of oriental derivation, and to some extent its details are indeed Persian. But much of the feeling is European, Jewish, Art Nouveau, or even neo-medieval Arts and Crafts, recalling the designs and the coloration of William Morris wallpapers, with their swaying floral forms pulsating with life and energy. This piece testifies to the eclectic origins of the Bezalel weavers and designers, reflecting their European as well as Oriental heritage.