Decorating Your Home with Antique Oriental Rugs

When you think about upscale interior design, antiques and fine art are naturally the first items that come to mind. Antiques have an undeniable ability to add personality and character to the décor of any home. Because of their uniqueness many people opt to incorporate antiques into their living spaces. Whether it is something handed down through generations or found in an antique shop many homeowners make “antiquing” a hobby in order to add personal flair to their homes.

Tabriz Rugs

An antique is an item that is at least 80 – 100 years old and for the most part they are both decorative as well as collectible. An antique item is desired and collected because of its age, beauty, rarity, and use. One type of antique that many people collect for their homes are antique rugs. Funnily enough, many of the antique carpets are comparable and at times even cheaper in price than brand new rugs. Once you establish your budget, size requirements and overall look and feel your quest for the right piece begins!

Antique rugs may be found in many different looks and colors. The more “traditional” style carpets such as Tabriz, Kashan and Khorasan will usually have intricate patterns and can be found in a wide array of colors from the jewel tones to the light and airy. These types of pieces give a regal and elegant look to most rooms. However, modern design tends to be simpler in taste and style. Many of the designs in recent years favor a more minimalistic approach to the interior design. Incorporating antique carpets with subtle colors and a more abstract look (like arts and crafts or art deco) will go a long way and will add a warmth and texture to the space.

Another type of antique carpet that is often used in more modern settings are Moroccan rugs. Moroccan rugs are a fabulous way to invite warmth and create a bright and appealing atmosphere in your home. The simple tribal geometric patterns of these rugs (some of which are taken from the Tattoo designs of the Berber tribes) have been used for some-time to allow a sophisticated look to go with modern furniture. Many historic homes boast these vintage Moroccan rugs such as one of America’s most famous architects of the modern era: Frank Lloyd Wright.

Although, it is more traditional to display your antique carpet on the floor, it can also be displayed on the wall as a work of art (which the antique carpets and vintage rugs actually are). In the right lighting you will be able to see the artistry behind these artisanal antique rugs.

A rug tends to be the most expensive item in a room when decorating so it is imperative to get a piece that you will love for a long time. It is also important to purchase the rug from a dealer that you trust. A good dealer will provide you with information, images, and history of the rug as well as give you the option to trade in the rug for a different piece in the future. Be wary of dealers who tell you that the rug will be worth much more in “X” years because there is no way to estimate what any piece will fetch in the future as demands will always change to fit the ever-changing interior design trends. It is best to establish a good relationship with your dealer since down the line you might want to acquire a better piece or might simply want a different look.

So, why buy an antique rug? They clearly allow a very versatile and stylish look for your home decor. With their patina (that can only come with age), texture and their variety of colors and designs, they can liven up any modern, traditional or casual room and make your interior look picturesque and magnificent.

Over the years the trends, patters, and design of interiors have been reinventing themselves every few years but the demand and appreciation for antique oriental rugs has remained. Great antique carpets, just like great paintings will never go out of style and the demand has only increased over the years.

What do decorators look for when shopping for antique rugs? Who would be better to answer that than one of New York’s finest young up and coming interior decorator Harry Cushing (of Harry Cushing and Company)? He was nice enough to share his thoughts with us:

“To us an antique carpet is a living thing that reflects a rich history.  It was made by hand often by a single artisan (sometimes with the help of family members) who had to depended on the materials that were available to them at any given time.  Depending on size and intricacy of design many antique carpets took years to complete.  In some instances the carpet was made in more than one place as it started in one location and then the fabricator moved to another.  Sometimes particular yarns or dyes were available at the beginning of the process but were not available at the end. When completed, the carpet’s design, texture, color reflected all these variables as well as environmental conditions.  So in addition to the more obvious characteristics that one looks for such as size, color and design we have a great appreciation for the way in which a carpet’s history is represented through its visual appearance.  We love interesting color combinations and color variations (even from one end of the carpet to the other), indications of a hand-made product, (reasonable) signs of wear and the many characteristics that result in the representation of a warm, hand-made, living work of art.”

One of the great divides in the rug world is the distinction between newer rugs and those that can be termed antique. This is a distinction that operates on various levels involving artistic and technical quality, rarity, and, of course, price. New rugs are not simply those that arrive in the market direct from a manufacturer without ever having been used, but also those with an age of thirty years or less. Antique rugs are those at least eighty years old, while older and semi-antique rugs fill the gap between the new and antique. But these other categories are of little import; it is the fully antique label that really matters. Antique rugs have hand-spun wool, their colors are made with all or primarily vegetable-derived dyes, and they are produced with designs rooted authentically in traditions hundreds of years old. Unlike new rugs, there is a finite number of rugs made before 1920. This number may shrink, but it can never increase. Antique rugs not only have quality, but rarity as well, and this tends to increase their value with the passing of time.

But there is another divide of this sort, although it is not as well known. This is the divide between rugs designated as antique and those known as Early rugs and textiles, those made before 1800. Given the essential fragility of woven art, rugs of this age in anything approaching good condition are far rarer than antique rugs of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This makes them even more expensive than nineteenth century pieces, but their rarity has also made Early Period pieces somewhat unfamiliar to the larger rug-buying public. Instead, early rugs or carpets and textiles of this kind have so far been primarily of interest to specialist collectors. This is unfortunate, since many early pieces are carpets of a substantial size, which, if in sufficiently good condition, make excellent decorative rugs. For those who can appreciate the particular beauty and superior artistry of Early Period rugs, they remain a largely untapped resource for high quality interior décor. A few examples from the Nazmiyal Collection will suffice to illustrate this point.

17th Century Esfahan, seen above, is a classical Safavid Persian carpet of a type generally attributed to Isfahan, although this has never been proven conclusively. But wherever in Persia this exquisite piece was made some time around 1650, it is an outstanding example of Persian rug weaving at its peak. The field design consists of flame-like, elaborately stylized flowers or palmettes connected by a trellis of fine vines and sinuous cloudbands. Somewhat different palmettes connected by interlacing strapwork vines make up the main border. Those familiar with later antique Persian carpets of the nineteenth century will recognize in this piece the ancestor of many of the great Kermans, Kashans, and Tabriz produced in the decades just before 1900 as part of a widespread revival of Persian rug weaving.

But the classical forerunners lor originals like 17th Century Isfahan Rug have a special quality that sets them apart. Their drawing is meticulous and full of life because their designs were at that time new, cutting-edge artistic creations emanating for the court of the Safavid Persian Shahs. The palette of these classical pieces is also different with its emphasis on soft golds, greens, blues, and terracottas. The colors are saturated and full of depth, but not strong or harsh. The proportions of the rug are a bit narrow for the length, 6 x 12, but still very usable as a room-size carpet. The pile is very low, lower indeed than many antique nineteenth century pieces, as one would expect for a rug over three hundred years old. But the artistic quality and presence of the piece more than compensate for this.

16th Century Alcaraz is a Spanish carpet probably woven in the town of Alcaraz in the mid sixteenth century. Early Spanish carpets of this type grew out of the production begun earlier in Spain under the rule of the Moors. But immediately following the Reconquista and the expulsion of the Moors by Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492, Spanish carpets abandoned the Islamic patterns of earlier times in favor of more European designs of Renaissance and Greco-Roman derivation like this splendid piece. Elaborate acanthus vinescrolls sprouting delicate palmettes in deep aubergine sprawl as a network across the warm terracotta ground, while a border of dragon-like s-shaped vines encloses the whole composition. This is a carpet that has the richness of a fine textile like a Renaissance silk brocade or velvet. At approximately 5 x 10 it too would make an excellent room-size rug even though it is also a first rate museum piece.

From the other side of the world comes 17th century Ningsia, a magnificent Ningshia carpet made in an imperial workshop in seventeenth century China. At first glance the field looks fairly open with a scatter or small rosette-like Chinese cloud motifs in shades of blue. In actuality the field contains a lush allover vinescroll, but it barely shows up given its subtle tone-on-tone coloration is shades of golden tan. The two narrow borders of half-rosettes and fretwork provide a reserved, understated frame for the subtlety of the field. More than three hundred years have not been able to compromise in the least the sumptuous decorative effect of this wonderful carpet.

18th Century Yankand is a saph or multiple niche communal prayer rug of the eighteenth century from East Turkestan to the West of Tibet. Each of the panels is a mihrab, an arch-shaped door or window onto paradise. Although the piece was made for communal worship the ornamental treatment of the details has considerable decorative effect as a runner some nine feet long. The dyes on this piece, especially the green, are simply superb, endowing it with a jewel-like mosaic quality. In view of its delicate condition it would now serve more appropriately as a wall hanging that could provide the illusion of a row of windows.

Early rugs and textiles are certainly not the esoteric “collector items” that they are so often taken to be. They were originally produced as decorative interior furnishings at an elite level of patronage. There is no reason, therefore, that should not function in this way today, so long as they are sufficiently well preserved and treated with care. They offer a superior degree of elegance and artistry that is a notch or two above most nineteenth century rugs. For those discerning enough to tell the difference and willing to pay for it, Early Period rugs are a gateway to a lost era of grace and luxury.

See also:
What is a Tribal or Nomadic Rug?

The 17th century marked the later years of the Renaissance, a rebirth in the philosophical ideals of the past. Some of the world’s greatest thinkers lived and wrote during this period such as Issac Newton, Rene Descartes, Thomas Hobbes and Galileo Galilei. But during this time philosophy wasn’t the only milieu budding with brilliance. The 17th century also marked the golden age of rug making in such places as Turkey and Persia, as well as the opening of numerous trade routes that made these beautiful artisan-produced rugs available throughout Western Europe. Today decorators are creating a Renaissance of their own by incorporating these beautiful rugs from the 17th century into modern interior designs.

There are 17th century antique rugs that have survived the test of time and are still available today which makes them wonderful collectibles as well as breathtaking decorative pieces. These pieces originate from all over the world including France (like the elegant Savonnerie and Aubusson styles), Persia (from renowned weaving centers such as Isfahan), India (weavings of the great Mughal empire), Transylvania (rugs woven in the Turkish / Ottoman empire) and many more. This variety provides decorators with a wide array of colors and patterns to choose from which in turn guarantees the ability to find the right piece for the right setting.

The decor of any room in the house can be enhanced by the use of an antique rug but a 17th century rug undoubtedly becomes a conversational piece. The reason 17th century rugs are so popular and sought after in today’s decorating market is that they are much more than a rug or simple floor covering. These historical artifacts from ancient times are true works of art, made from the finest silks and wools available during a time when true craftsmanship was honored and valued. In fact many of the first imported rugs during the 17th century were not used as floor coverings at all but were proudly displayed as table and wall coverings instead (which is one reason why these pieces are still in useable condition today). Some use the smaller rugs in the same manner today – to add beauty to a room’s decor by using the rug as a wall hanging where it serves as a focal point of art for the room.

Incorporating the beauty of antique rugs from the 17th century into today’s decor lends an historical accent to any room of the house. 17th century rugs have a story to tell and since they have recently been escalating in demand and price they are proving to be one of the smartest home decorating investments that can be made.

” When designing a room I always start with the carpet / Rug . In this Study on the Upper East Side, I found a rug  design that has a wonderfully playful African vibe: its warm creams, browns, blues, and mustards undulate across the floor. The upholstery fabrics and wall paint colors play off of them as well as the colors and textures of the parchment goat skin desk, custom desk chair, and the hand painted custom sidetable .”

- Interior Designer Adrienne Neff

Adrienne Neff Design Services, LLC

www.adrienneneff.com

Nazmiyal Collection was recently featured in Canadian Architecture & Design for our Antique Silk Heriz #7996. This piece is an extrememly rare example of Heriz weaving measuring 12′ x 18’6″ and woven entirely of silk.

2010 is the year of redecorating and making home a more welcoming place to live. With colors trending back towards classic, hopeful and neutral, now is the time to make your home more sophisticated. [...] read more

I was asked by a young collector about recent trends in the rug industry and thought it would be nice to share some of my thoughts. It is my feeling that the wave of the future may just rest in the past. As a part of the antique rug trade for the last 12 years, I can’t help but fall in love with a new rug every single day. Rugs, tapestries and textiles of the late 19th century are some of the most beautiful / decorative art forms in the world, and there are days when I can’t help but feel like a kid in candy store. As the years go by, I tend to gravitate more towards the early rugs of the 16th and 17th centuries. Some of these early antique rugs are a true testament to the greatness of empires long forgotten. It feels like no matter how omnipotent and grand the empire might have been (like the Safavid, Mamluk, Mughal and Ottoman) they were no match for the longevity of the art that they bestowed onto us all. Early rugs have a uniqueness that cannot be matched, and they are the best examples of the roots from which this whole industry eventually blossomed. More and more young collectors are turning away from the art world in favor of antique rugs. Economically, it makes a great amount of sense… if someone would like to acquire a painting by an old master, it would be practically impossible to find one for less than $1,000,000 (and naturally, that is a very low estimate and by no means is representative of any great piece from any such artist). In contrast, early pieces are still tremendously undervalued. For a fraction of the price of a great work of art, one can easily attain one of the best early pieces in the world – a true museum-quality piece (a term that is used all too loosely in our industry). Fortunately for me, I work for one of the world’s top wholesalers of great antique carpets. Jason’s taste is not in the interest of buying purely for the sake of making money. That is why so many unique pieces come through our doors every year. It is my opinion that over these next few years (and as the economy around the world strengthens) this continuing interest in early pieces will only escalate. If I were a gambling man, I would surely bet the house on these pieces (and I guess I kind of am)! I will follow up with some additional entries and examples of such rugs.

Omri Schwartz
NAZMIYAL
COLLECTION
31 East 32nd Street
New York, NY 10016
T 212 545 8029
F 212 213 5995