About Nazmiyal Antique Rugs & Our Expert Team
Discover the people behind Nazmiyal, combining generations of scholarship, market expertise, and hands-on curation to guide collectors, designers, and institutions worldwide through gallery leadership, auctions, and services.
About Nazmiyal Antique Rugs
America’s Leading Experts in Antique, Vintage & Persian Rugs
Over 165 Years of Combined Rug Expertise
Since 1980, Nazmiyal Antique Rugs has been recognized as one of the most respected and trusted destinations for antique, vintage, and Persian carpets in the United States. From rare 17th-century masterpieces to collectible Scandinavian textiles, tribal weavings, room-size decorative carpets, and modern designer pieces, our gallery offers one of the largest and most diverse curated inventories in the country.
Together, our expert team represents 165+ years of combined experience in buying, selling, curating, restoring, and evaluating fine rugs. This unmatched depth of knowledge forms the foundation of our mission:
To offer the most beautiful rugs, the best value, and the most knowledgeable guidance anywhere.
Browse Our Collections
Meet the Nazmiyal Rug Experts
A Combined 165+ Years of Experience
Our strength is our people. Each expert on our team has spent decades studying, understanding, collecting, and living with fine rugs. This deep passion for quality, authenticity, and scholarship has shaped our reputation for more than forty years.
The Nazmiyal approach is built on three foundational principles that guide every decision, from acquisition to expertise to client trust: deep scholarly knowledge developed through decades of hands-on experience, rigorous standards of authenticity and transparent valuation, and a globally curated collection shaped by historical depth, cultural understanding, and market insight.
Jason Nazmiyal | Founder & Owner, Nazmiyal Collection
With over 45 years of experience, Jason Nazmiyal is regarded as one of the leading authorities in the world of antique and collectible rugs.
He began his career in 1980 and has since built Nazmiyal into one of the most respected antique rug galleries and auction platforms in the United States.
Guided by a passion for beauty, authenticity, and fair value, Jason has assembled a world-class collection that draws designers, collectors, museums, and private clients from around the globe. Known for identifying exceptional carpets, from early classical Persian masterpieces to European decorative and Art Deco designs, he buys with both his eye and his heart.
Jason’s mission is simple: to discover extraordinary rugs, preserve essential works, and offer clients the finest quality at the best value.
Alen Erfanian | Showroom Manager & Antique Rug Expert
With more than 35 years of experience, Alen Erfanian is known for his exceptional eye for quality, color, and design.
Born in Iran into a family of rug dealers, he grew up surrounded by fine Persian and tribal carpets. His background in the garment and fashion industry sharpened his sensitivity to texture and aesthetic balance.
After moving to New York in 1989, Alen spent more than twenty years working with renowned dealer Albert Karmely, earning recognition as a trusted expert. Today, as Showroom Manager, he guides clients through the gallery’s extensive collection with honesty, experience, and a genuine passion for beautiful rugs.
Farhad Langaroodi | Director of Nazmiyal Auctions
With over 40 years of experience, Farhad has been a key member of the Nazmiyal family since 1985.
He began by managing the Morristown and Short Hills, New Jersey, galleries, mastering every aspect of the business and eventually overseeing more than 30 employees. His expertise spans retail, wholesale, operations, customer service, and inventory management.
After serving as a regional manager for Stark Carpets in California, Farhad returned to New York to lead Nazmiyal E-Commerce and Auctions, where he now oversees Nazmiyal Auctions and works closely with designers, collectors, and first-time buyers.
Warm, knowledgeable, and deeply experienced, Farhad ensures every client enjoys a seamless buying experience.
Rodolfo Kashanian | Acquisitions Director & Senior Rug Expert
A fourth-generation rug expert with more than 47 years of experience across Europe and the United States.
Born in Italy, Rodolfo began his career in 1978 in his family’s Swiss rug business. In 1988, he opened Galleria Hermitage, earning a reputation for sophisticated taste and connoisseurship. He later joined Italy’s leading dealer, Davide Halevim, managing six prestigious galleries across Italy, Switzerland, and Monte Carlo.
In 2002, he founded Yarkand Gallery in Milan, which he operated until moving to New York in 2012. Since then, he has remained intensely active in sourcing, acquiring, and evaluating exceptional antique rugs and tapestries.
With nearly five decades of experience, Rodolfo brings remarkable knowledge and integrity to Nazmiyal.
Hichem Kelia | E-Commerce & Auction Operations Manager
Originally from Algeria and educated in France, Hichem Kelia brings an international perspective to Nazmiyal’s digital and auction operations. Fluent in three languages, he bridges technology, commerce, and global audiences across the company’s platforms.
He oversees Nazmiyal’s e-commerce ecosystem and auction operations, managing technical infrastructure, SEO strategy, product content architecture, and marketplace workflows. Working across Nazmiyal Antique Rugs and Nazmiyal Auctions, Hichem plays a key role in scaling the company’s online presence and building systems that support collectors, designers, and bidders worldwide.
Kitty Vargas | Bookkeeper
With more than 18 years at Nazmiyal, Kitty Vargas keeps the financial side of the company running with precision, professionalism, and warmth.
She joined in 2008 after years of bookkeeping experience, but quickly found that being surrounded by beautiful antique rugs brought a unique joy to her work.
Kitty’s attention to detail and steady presence make her an essential part of the Nazmiyal family.
About the Nazmiyal Collection
A Global Leader in Antique Oriental & Persian Rugs Since 1980
For more than forty years, Nazmiyal has been known for:
- One of the largest and most diverse antique rug inventories in America
- Museum-caliber curation across every weaving culture
- Transparent pricing and exceptional value
- Profound scholarship and authenticity guarantees
A customer-first approach beloved by designers and collectors
Explore Signature Collections
→ Kilim Rugs
→ Oushak Rugs
→ Moroccan Rugs
→ Custom Rugs
Visit the Nazmiyal Manhattan Showroom
31 East 32nd Street, Floor 2, New York, NY 10016
(212) 545-8029
contact@nazmiyal.com
Monday–Friday: 9 am – 5 pm | Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm
Experience thousands of hand-selected pieces curated for every taste, style, and interior.
Jason Nazmiyal's Story & Collection
For more than four decades, the Nazmiyal name has stood for trust, quality, and integrity. Jason built his collection one rug at a time, always guided by the belief that beauty and value must coexist.
By restoring rare textiles, preserving important weavings, and continually acquiring museum-level pieces, Jason has dedicated his life to elevating the art of rug weaving and making great rugs accessible to all who appreciate them.
Today, Nazmiyal’s clients span the globe, and many have become lifelong friends.