It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend, mentor, and partner of 35 years, Donald Gant. More than just a colleague, Don was my closest companion, a trusted consultant, and a guiding angel who had an immeasurable impact on both my business and my life.
Don had a rare and refined eye for beauty, especially in the world of antique rugs and textiles. Over more than three decades, we have assembled one of the most remarkable collections of handmade carpets, uniting pieces from the far reaches of Persia, the Caucasus, and beyond. His taste was impeccable, his insights invaluable, and his passion contagious.
Born in Monmouth County, New Jersey in 1928, Don’s life was shaped by a deep commitment to service, education, and excellence. He served honorably in the U.S. Army before pursuing his studies through the GI Bill, attending Drexel University and later transferring to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where he earned his B.S. in 1952. He continued to receive his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1954.
Don’s professional journey took him to the highest echelons of the finance industry. He began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he became a partner and remained until his retirement in 1990. Yet it was outside of Wall Street, within the rich, woven worlds of ancient cultures, where Don found one of his deepest passions.
In the 1960s, he discovered the magic of Persian rugs while working with a Manhattan decorator. That spark eventually became a lifelong love affair with the art of rug collecting. By the 1980s, Don was working closely with local rug merchants to acquire pieces of extraordinary craftsmanship from Iran and beyond. When we began working together, it was as though our visions aligned instantly. We both shared a devotion to quality, history, and aesthetics, and that connection gave rise to a remarkable partnership.
Don had a particular fondness for rugs that told a story. He gravitated toward pieces with wild animals and birds, rare human figures, poetic Farsi inscriptions, symbolic motifs, and signed weavings that carried the soul of the weaver. Each rug we selected revealed not only his eye for beauty but also his deep appreciation for cultural heritage and the power of textiles as living art.
His presence, calm, wise, and elegant, was a gift to all who knew him. He brought integrity and grace to everything he did. His legacy will live on in the rugs we collected, the lives he touched, and the values he embodied.
Don Gant will be missed tremendously. For me, he wasn’t just a business partner, he was my best friend, my most trusted voice, and someone I loved deeply and respected beyond measure.
May his memory be a blessing.
