Italy has one of the oldest and most sophisticated relationships with antique Oriental rugs in the Western world, a tradition documented in Renaissance paintings and aristocratic palace inventories stretching back five centuries.
Nazmiyal Collection has been serving Italian collectors, interior designers, and dealers for decades, shipping from our Midtown Manhattan gallery with full international documentation, insurance, and a 72-hour in-home approval policy.
Many of the pieces most sought after by Italian buyers, large formal Persian Tabriz and Kashan rugs, decorative French Aubussons, fine silk weavings, are well represented in Nazmiyal’s collection of over 4,000 antique, vintage, and modern rugs.
Barron’s: “Nazmiyal has been trading since 1980 and holds one of the world’s largest collections of antique rugs, with more than 3,000 [now 4,000] pieces.”
Italy’s Historic Connection to the Rug Trade
Italy has long been regarded as an extremely important European center for art and trade. Italy was transformative to the general zeitgeist, with major cultural contributions that impacted every facet of society with eras like the Renaissance spearheading a progressive shift for the Western world. Italy’s coastal proximity made the country a major commercial hub, as did its foreign relationships to North Africa and the Middle East.
Italy’s history with rugs specifically runs deep. The trade relationship they had with the Eastern world proved fruitful during the rug trade, when Anatolian and Persian rugs were very much in-fashion with foreign elites. Evidence of this cultural exchange is present in plenty of Italian paintings, with Middle Eastern rugs and motifs adopted into European painting conventions to signify wealth and status. Painters like Giovanni Bellini, Lorenzo Lotto, and Tintoretto are all known for this. Their commissioned pieces often feature Anatolian rugs or rug patterns as artistic devices, so much so that their names are sometimes synonymous with the textiles.
Aside from a well documented history of rug collection, Italy is also a historical staple of European silk production. The material is widely respected as a high-end fabric, with a lustrous sheen used only in the finest weavings. Silk production originated in the East, eventually spreading, with the Byzantines passing it to Italy’s Southern City of Calabria. Italy’s introduction to sericulture cemented the country as an important European center for silk export. It was also key to the inclusion of silk thread in palace productions and other fine European-made rugs and tapestries.
Nazmiyal’s Commitment to Italian Buyers
The Nazmiyal Collection has one of the largest selections of vintage and antique rugs in the world. Nazmiyal also has a personal relationship with an Italian customer base that goes back decades. Italian rug dealers and collectors have previously bought from Nazmiyal to then sell to high-end luxury Italian interior designers. Smaller antique tribal rugs were particularly popular amongst Italian customers, both for their versatile sizing and their unique patternings.
Italian buyers have reached out from cities like Milan, Turin, Bologna, Verona, Genoa, Rome, Florence, and Naples. We make sure our comprehensive inventory of rugs remains accessible for international clients, so that they may shop from the comfort of their own homes. For more resources and information, visit our Worldwide Hub.
The appetite for antique productions hasn’t diminished, though it has changed over time. Here at Nazmiyal, our diverse collection of rugs can satisfy the changing Italian trend demands. Browse our selection of unique hand-made weavings.
What Italian Buyers Are Looking For
Italian collectors and interior designers tend to gravitate toward rugs with formal elegance, large-format Persian Tabriz, Isfahan, and Kashan rugs that complement classical architecture and the kind of layered, collected aesthetic that Italian interiors are known for. French Aubusson and Savonnerie carpets are also consistently popular, providing a European design sensibility that integrates naturally with period furniture and architectural interiors from Milan to Florence.
Smaller antique tribal pieces, Qashqai, Bakhtiari, Kurdish weavings, have found a strong market among Italian buyers with a more contemporary design approach, particularly in cities like Milan where the interior design industry is internationally influential. These pieces offer the authenticity and one-of-a-kind character that mass-produced furnishings cannot replicate.
As Rodolfo, Nazmiyal’s Italian-born senior specialist with over 45 years of experience, notes: “Italian buyers have always understood the cultural weight of a great antique rug. They don’t just see a floor covering, they see a document of history, craft, and trade that connects their own cultural heritage to the East.“
Rodolfo Kashanian
Part of the Nazmiyal team is Italy’s very own Rodolfo Kashanian, an expert in the world of rug collecting. He’s a fourth-generation specialist, with decades of experience in European and international markets. His expertise has and continues to help the Nazmiyal Collection satisfy clients overseas, as well as predict foreign rug collecting and design trends. Rodolfo’s uniquely deep understanding of the cultural and historical context of antique rugs makes Nazmiyal an authentic and trusted seller.
“Where others see a rug, I read time in the knots and recognize interwoven stories.”
Shipping to Italy and 72-Hour In-Home Approval
Contact our team and request a shipping quote for delivery to Italy. International shipping and insurance are quoted based on size, value, and delivery requirements.
Once your rug arrives, you have up to 72 hours for in-home approval. If it is not the right fit, you may return it for a full refund in accordance with our return policy. Return shipping from Italy is typically the customer’s responsibility unless otherwise stated in writing.
VAT, duties, and “landed cost” expectations
Italian IVA (import VAT), any applicable EU customs duties, and carrier clearance fees are set by Italian and EU customs authorities and are typically collected by the carrier or customs broker before or at delivery. These government charges are separate from the rug price and shipping charges unless explicitly stated on your invoice.
For orders shipped from outside the EU, Italian import VAT (IVA) is commonly 22% for many goods, and customs duties may apply depending on how the item is classified. We ship fully insured and provide standard export documentation for customs clearance. If you would like an estimate before purchase, we can provide the information your broker or carrier needs to quote expected IVA and duties for your specific item.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nazmiyal ship to Italy?
Yes, Nazmiyal ships internationally to many foreign countries, including Italy.
How are customs handled?
International shipping and insurance is quoted based on size, value, and delivery, requirements. We provide standard export documentation for customs clearance and ship fully insured from New York.
Can I visit the New York showroom if I’m traveling?
Yes. Nazmiyal’s Manhattan showroom is open seven days a week. Stop by if you’re in town or contact us for a Sunday appointment.
What types of antique rugs suit Italian interiors?
Large formal Persian rugs and decorative European rugs fit the traditional stylings of Italian interiors.
What is the 72-hour in-home approval policy?
Once your rug arrives in Italy, you have 72 hours to evaluate it in your space. If it is not the right fit for any reason, you may return it for a full refund in accordance with our return policy. Return shipping from Italy is typically the customer’s responsibility unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Does Rodolfo speak Italian?
Yes. Rodolfo Kashanian is Italian-born and brings both language fluency and deep cultural familiarity with the Italian market. Italian-speaking clients are welcome to reach out to our team directly.