Inside “Collecting, Investing & Preserving Fine Antique Rugs”
On a winter evening in Manhattan, the Nazmiyal showroom took on the quiet intensity of a graduate seminar crossed with a salon. Chairs filled quickly and conversations softened. The audience, made up of designers, collectors, and serious enthusiasts, had come not to browse, but to learn.
This was the third and final installment of The Nazmiyal Rug Academy. The educational series was devoted to the art, history, and modern relevance of fine rugs. Titled “Collecting, Investing & Preserving Fine Antique Rugs,” the seminar focused on a subject often discussed, but rarely explored so deeply. The event addressed how antique rugs function simultaneously as cultural artifacts, aesthetic objects, and long-term assets.
The Nazmiyal Team and Seminar Panelists
Jason Nazmiyal opened the evening with a brief introduction of his team and the panelists, welcoming the attendees. However, it was clear this would not be a traditional lecture. Instead, the seminar unfolded like a conversation, structured but thoughtful, and deeply informed.
The panel brought together three distinguished voices from across the rug world. The first was Rodolfo Kashanian, a fourth-generation specialist with decades of experience in European and international markets. He offered a connoisseur’s perspective, rooted in disciplined sourcing and long-term value. Then was Elisabeth Parker, an independent consultant and appraiser. With thirty years of experience and tenure at Christie’s, Parker brought clarity to questions on condition, valuation, and institutional standards. Finally was Graham Head, former president and vice chairman of ABC Carpet & Home. He spoke as both an industry leader and as a collector, with a sharp eye for antique pieces.
An Informative Evening
Rather than following a traditional seminar format, the evening opened with an unexpected gesture. A member of the Nazmiyal team circulated through the seated guests carrying a decorative metal bowl filled with fifty questions. Each question addressed a real concern for collectors and investors. This ranged from topics like evaluating condition, restoration, and how to think about preservation over decades.
Guests were invited to select a question at random from the bowl, with the promised chance of picking out a special Nazmiyal offer. The panel responded to each query thoughtfully, building on one another’s insights. Each exchange was refreshingly candid, with no attempts to oversimplify complex issues. At moments, the room broke into laughter. At others, it grew silent as particularly nuanced points landed. Two lucky attendees picked out the Nazmiyal Golden Tickets, awarding them each a complimentary museum-quality rug cleaning.
Once every willing participant had asked a question, the seminar shifted again. Chairs were quickly moved aside to make space in the showroom for an exclusive showing. Members of the Nazmiyal team began bringing out rugs from the extensive collection, making up one of the nights’ most memorable moments.
Exclusive Showings
Jason Nazmiyal himself led the presentation, guiding guests through a curated selection of antique rugs. These beautiful pieces ranged from bold Caucasian tribal textiles, to refined Persian masterpieces. Guests were encouraged to step close, to touch the surfaces, to examine the weave and materials firsthand.
As each piece was discussed, it was contextualized with market history, regional tradition, collecting strategy, and personal admiration. Condition issues were addressed openly and provenance was discussed without embellishment. The rugs served not as props, but as primary sources and artistic evidence of a remarkable cultural resilience through centuries.
A Magical Evening’s End
By the time the final piece was returned, the mood in the room had shifted from focused concentration to a quiet exhilaration. The formal portion of the evening gave way to excited conversation and intermingling as guests further helped themselves to a wine and cheese spread. Designers compared notes with collectors, newcomers spoke confidently with seasoned experts, and spirits were unmistakably high.
What made the evening feel successful was not the spectacle of it all, but the substance. The Nazmiyal Rug Academy had created a space where serious knowledge was shared generously, without salesmanship, pretense, or gatekeeping. Antique rugs were treated with their deserved respect, regarded as works of art, historical documents, and objects of lasting value.
As guests lingered in the showroom, it was clear this final seminar had achieved something rare. It wasn’t simply informative, but empowering. In doing so, it set a thoughtful standard for how education in the decorative arts can and should be done.
